ROYAL AYERS - Biography

====================================================================
USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing
         free information on the Internet, data may be used by
         non-commercial entities, as long as this message
         remains on all copied material. These electronic
         pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit
         or for presentation by other persons or organizations.

         Persons or organizations desiring to use this material
         for purposes other than stated above must obtain the
         written consent of the file contributor, or the legal 
         representative of the contributor, and contact the 
         listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent.

         This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
         Archives by:   
WISCONSIN BIOGRAPHY INDEX
http://www.rootsweb.com/~wibiog/
2002

====================================================================
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 675-676

ROYAL AYERS, deceased, was for many years recognized as one of the leading 
citizens of Fairfield Township, Sauk County, WI, and he is still remembered 
by the older residents of this portion of the county as a man of indomitable 
force of character. He was born at Rockingham [Windham County], VT, 27 Mar 
1824, and died in the township of Fairfield [Sauk County, WI], 25 Jun 1891, 
and within these limits lived a useful and honorable life. He was a son of 
Moses and Abigail (PROCTOR) AYERS, and a descendant of John AYERS, who was 
born in Nottingham, England, in 1592, and came to MA in 1637, and was the 
founder of the family in America. Moses AYERS was a native of Concord 
[Merrimack County], NH, where he was born in 1790, dying in Putney [Windham 
County], VT, when over 78 years. Abigail PROCTOR was born in Washington 
[Sullivan County], NH, and died at Putney [Windham County], VT, when past 97 
years. Moses AYERS was a son of William AYERS, of Haverhill [Essex County], 
MA. He was a veteran of the Revolutionary war, and married Mollie REYNOLDS, 
a daughter of Samuel "RUNELS," a prominent pioneer of Bradford [Essex 
County], MA.

Royal AYERS was one of a family of 13 children, of whom two died in infancy. 
Royal and three of his sisters became residents of Sauk County. They were: 
Abbie, who married W. R. GLOVER, and lived in Greenfield Township; Martha 
married George W. BARNES and has her home in Fairfield Township; Louisa 
married O. G. WATKINS, of Baraboo Township, and is now dead.

Mr. AYERS went to MA when 17 years of age, and for the next ten years was 
mainly employed on the wharves at Weymouth [Norfolk County, MA]. He was 
three years or more in Rockingham [Windham County], VT, and in 1855 came to 
WI and located in Fairfield Township, where he bought 200 acres of land, 
receiving for a portion of this a government patent. He devoted his life to 
the improvement of this valuable tract, and made it one of the choicest farms 
of the county. And this farm was his home until his death. He was a 
believer in land, and at one time owned 600 acres. He was at different 
periods of his life engaged to a considerable extent in loaning money, and 
seldom made a misdeal. He was a vigorous and industrious man, possessed an 
excellent judgment and made his mark upon the commercial and business 
interests of Sauk County. He was a Republican, and always took an active 
interest in politics. For nine years he was chairman of the town board, 
holding that office at the time of his death. He was a soldier in the Union 
army during the war of the Rebellion, enlisting 07 Feb 1865, as a member of 
Company E, 49th WI Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out 14 Nov 1865. He 
was stationed at Rolla [Phelps County], and Benton Barracks, MO.

Mr. AYERS and Miss Nancy JACKSON were married 09 Nov 1848. She is a daughter 
of Luther and Sally (NOYES) JACKSON, and was born at Abington [Plymouth 
County], MA. Her father was born near Plymouth Rock [Plymouth County, MA], 
and was a shoemaker by trade. He died at Abington [Plymouth County, MA] on 
18 Jul 1887 at the age of 86. Mrs. AYERS is the mother of one son and four 
daughters: Lucy was born at Abington [Plymouth County], MA, and died 22 Jan 
1863; Abbie E., born 04 May 1852, at Rockingham [Windham County], VT, has 
taught 14 years in the schools of Sauk County, and is now Mrs. Elwyn D. 
KIDDER, of Harriman [Roane County], TN; Carrie Frances, born 03 Jan 1857, is 
now Mrs. E. R. THOMAS, of Fairfield Township; Ella Vesta, born 19 May 1859, 
is living on the homestead farm; Charles Jackson, born 23 Nov 1861, has 
always lived on the home farm, which he now owns. He has been a 
Prohibitionist from boyhood, and has no desire for official position. Mr. 
and Mrs. AYERS helped to organize the Fairfield Methodist church, and he was 
one of three contributors to purchasing a building for purposes of worship. 
The family is known as an intelligent and cultured one, and all its members 
are full of a high purpose in life. The son is a member of the Baptist 
church, and wa a Good Templar as long as the order was maintained in 
Fairfield.