Solomon A. Ayers Biography


	This biography appears on pages 653-654 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				HON. SOLOMON A. AYERS. 

	In all those affairs which are a matter of public concern, having 
to do with the upbuilding and substantial improvement of the community, 
Hon. Solomon A. Ayers of Junius is deeply interested, and the efforts 
which he has put forth along public lines have been far reaching and 
beneficial. His life history, therefore, cannot fail to prove of 
interest to those who wish to know of the history of those who are 
numbered among the builders of the state. 

	Mr. Ayers was born in Cuba, Allegany county, New York, July 20, 
1854. His father, Uriah C. Ayers, was a native of Cayuga county, New 
York, and a descendant of an old New England family. Removing to 
Wisconsin, he there resided until 1879, when he became one of the early 
pioneer settlers of Lake county, Dakota territory. He secured a 
preemption claim in Winfred township and upon his homestead resided 
until his death, which occurred in 1893, when he reached the age of 
sixty-six years, He was a lifelong republican, having firm faith in the 
principles of the party and doing all in his power to secure its 
success. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church and he 
was one of the useful and highly respected citizens of his community. 
In early manhood he wedded Miss Phoebe Hoag, also a native of New York, 
by whom he had three children, as follows: Solomon A., of this review; 
Cora, who is deceased; and Mrs. Enna D. Cole, of Junius, South Dakota. 

	Solomon A. Ayers attended the public schools but his educational 
opportunities were quite limited, as his time was needed in the work of 
the home farm, upon which he remained until be reached the age of 
twenty-one years. He then removed to Minnesota, where he resided until 
1878, and in that year he came to Dakota territory and secured a 
homestead in Winfred wotnship, Lake county, which he still owns. To his 
original property he has added from time to time until he now has seven 
hundred and twenty acres of as fine farm land as can be found in the 
state. This he devotes to the raising of varied crops and to the 
breeding of high grade horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. His is one of 
the county's most highly developed farm properties, thoroughly equipped 
in every way and indicating on every side his progressive methods. He 
continued in the active work of the farm until 1908, when he retired 
and he now devotes his attention to private interests. He is a 
stockholder and was one of the organizers of the Farmers Elevator 
Company at Junius and in all business affairs he has displayed sound 
judgment and keen discrimination. 

	On the 28th of May, 1883, Mr. Ayers was united in marriage to 
Miss Agnes Ayers, a daughter of Austin B. and Ann (Clark) Ayers, who 
were natives of New York and Massachusetts respectively. Our subject 
and his wife have two sons, namely: Delbert L., who wedded Miss Bertha 
Giles and had three children, Ralph, Faye, deceased, and Floyd; and' 
Arthur E., who married Miss Louise Olson, by whom he has one son, 
Milton. 

	Mr. Ayers is a republican, active and influential in both the 
county and state organizations of the party, his opinions carrying 
weight among the republican leaders of South Dakota. He has served for 
many years as a member of the various township boards and he 
represented Lake county in the state legislature in 1892-3. He is an 
advocate of the good roads movement, a stalwart champion of the cause 
of education and a strong supporter of public improvements. In feet 
matters relating to the general welfare have always had his thorough 
cooperation and all movements looking to the community betterment have 
had his ardent support. In his fraternal relations he is a Mason, loyal 
to the purposes of the order. He is classed with the county's 
substantial, prosperous and highly respected pioneer citizens who 
courageously met the conditions of frontier life to be rewarded with 
the prosperity that came to those who had faith in the future, together 
with the good judgment to take advantage of the opportunities offered.