Researching Family History Since 1999
CHARLEY AYERS: Mr. Charles Ayers died yesterday morning at seven o’clock at the age of twenty-three years, at the home of his mother in Columbus. The remains will be brought to this city on the noon Pan Handle train tomorrow and the funeral will take place from the First Methodist church at two o’clock. The friends are invited.
Source: Newark Advocate, August 29, 1898.
Charles Ayers, of Columbus, a brother of G.M. Ayers of this city, died very suddenly at 3:20 this morning. The cause of his death was dropsy. The deceased was married and leaves a wife and four children in Columbus. The funeral takes place Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock from ther [sic] residence.
Source: Newark Daily Advocate, September 29, 1888.
Mrs. Eliza Ann Ayers, aged 95 years, widow of the late Wm. H. Ayers, died at 1:45 o’clock Saturday afternoon at the home of her son, Eugene Ayers, 401 Chester street, East Newark. Her death was due to general weakness incident to old age. Mrs. Ayers has been a resident of Licking country [sic] for 80 years, having come to Ohio by wagon at the age of 16 years. The family crossed the Ohio river on the ice at Bellaire. She was born in New Jersey, Jan. 23, 1820. After coming to Ohio she was married to William H. Ayers. To this union ten children were born, eight sons and two daughters. Four of the eight sons are still living. The oldest son, J.J. Ayers, 7[unclear] years old, lives at Logansport, Ind. The other children are Franklin P. Ayers, Clyde O. Elsworth Ayers, Chicago, and Eugene Ayers, at whose home she died. For more than fifty years she has been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon at the East Main street M.E. Church, Rev. J.C. [unclear] of the First church officiating. He will be assisted by Rev. Charles [unclear] of the East Main street church. Burial at Cedar Hill cemetery.
Source: Newark Advocate, December 7, 1914.
Final rites for Alva Wiser Ayers, 90, retired Pennsylvania railroad conductor, will be at eleven o’clock Wednesday morning at the Fisher funeral home. The Reverend William L. Pifer of Ft. Wayne will officiate and burial will be in Mt. Hope cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after two o’clock this afternoon. Orient Lodge No. 272, of which he was a member, will have services there at 7:30 tonight. His death occurred at 7:50 a.m. Sunday at Lutheran hospital in Ft. Wayne. He had moved to Ft. Wayne from this city two years ago. He was a member of the St. Luke’s Lutheran church. A veteran of the Spanish-American War he was the last survivor of the David Bender camp of Logansport. Born in Amboy Oct. 25,1871, he was the son of James and Amanda Albery Ayers. His marriage in this city on Aug. 14, 1906, was to Irene Legg. Survivors are the wife; one son, A. M. Ayers, Englewood, Calif.; one daughter, Mrs. Fred Roembke, Ft. Wayne; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
Source: Logansport Press, April 24, 1962.
Ollie Ayers Run Down by a Little Miami Train in Columbus
And Instantly Killed, the Body Being Mangled Almost Beyond Recognition — The Remains Brought Here for Interment
The sad news was received in this city that Ollie Ayers, the twelve year old son of Mrs. Mary Ayers, of Columbus, had been run down by a Little Miami train in that city yesterday, and instantly killed. The particulars of the terrible affair, ar [sic] related in the State Journal of this morning, are as follows:
“The Little Miami train arriving from Cincinnati about noon yesterday, ran over a twelve-year old boy at the Park street crossing, horribly mangling his legs and lower body. As soon as possible the train was stopped and he was picked up insensible, and a telephone message sent to Dr. Hamilton’s office. When Drs. J.W. and Charles Hamilton arrived on the scene they saw at once that the boy’s life could not be save and as no one present knew the unfortunate, he was removed by patrol No. 1 to the patrol house nearby. There he was identified as Ollie Ayers, the son of a widow living in the Mithoff block on High street. The patrol removed him to his home, accompanied by the Drs. Hamilton, who broke the sad news to the mother and did everything in their power for the suffering boy. But in spite of their efforts he died shortly before two o’clock.
It seems the boy was playing at marbles with another boy named Dannie Stimson, and the two started across the tracks just in time for Ayers, who was in the rear, to be caught by the incoming train. One foot was almost cut off at the ankle and his body was almost severed where the wheels ran across his hips, causing his blood to be spilled on the ground in a great pool.
The other little boy was Dannie Stimson, whose home is at 334 Park street. His story is to the effect they heard the approaching train and for some unexplainable reason decided to get across the tracks ahead of the train. He had his marbles in his hand and ran at once, but his playmate stopped to gather his from the ground before starting across, and it was this delay which cost his life.
Engineer Gardner stated to a reporter the train was running about eight miles an hour and the bell was ringing for the crossing at Park street. Just as the crossing was reached he saw a small boy bound across the track from south to north, and closely followed by another small boy. The last boy did not succeed in getting across, but disappeared under the engine. The train was stopped as quickly as possible and the boy was found on one side of the track under the second or third car back of the engine apparently dead. The engineer did not see the boys until almost upon them and did not think they saw the train on account of the presence of a boxcar standing on the sidetrack at that point.
Frank Davis, who lives on Front street near the bridge, was sitting on a rear fence and saw the whole affair. He said the boys were playing at marbles near a lumber pile on Park street just north of the track and opposite Rarig’s foundry. When the train was near they started across the track in a southerly direction. One of them was struck by the engine and knocked ahead and upward seemingly as high as the headlight. He seemed to hang in the air a moment with arms extended as though he had jumped off a spring board. The next instant he fell to the track and was rolled along under the wheels probably a hundred feet until the train was stopped, when he rolled out to one side.”
Ollie Ayers was a son of Charles and Mary Ayers. The boy’s father was well known in Newark, having been an employee of the Pan Handle RR Co., at this point for many years. He removed to Columbus some years since, where he worked in the Pan Handle yards for several years. His health failing, however, he returned to Newark, where he died shortly after. The mother, who remained in Columbus, being unable to provide for the large family, took charge of Ollie, while the other children were cared for by relatives in this city. Cora, aged 13, and Charles, aged 16, were put in charge of their grand-mother, Mrs. Eliza Ann Ayers, of 24 South Fourth street, and Eugene was cared for by Mrs. Ida Graff, who resides on Sixth street. The remains were brought here this afternoon and taken to the residence of Mrs. Graff on Sixth street, from which place the funeral will occur. The time for holding the funeral has not as yet been determined, although it is thought that it will take place Wednesday morning.
Source: Newark Daily Advocate, April 13, 1891.
Monday, January 23, was an occasion of pleasant surprise on Mrs. Eliza A. Ayers, widow of W.H. Ayers who died in August of 1887, aged 67 years, 3 months and 16 days, and who was buried in the Cedar Hill cemetery by the G.A.R. Mrs. Ayers has lived in Newark for many years, and Monday she reached the eighty-fifth milestone of her life. She is the mother of nine children and has 27 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Her children planned the event to celebrate in a proper manner and get up a surprise on her which was successfully carried out. At an early hour in the day Mrs. Ayers was greatly surprised when a large number of her relatives came in on her pleasant home, 51 South Fifth street, and took complete possession of the house. After a general greeting and handshaking, and some time spent in social conversation, the next thing in order was dinner, and the strength of the table was tried by a bountiful dinner that had been prepared for the occasion. Mrs. Ayers was presented with a number of useful and handsome presents, and after a season spent in having a good social time, the hour for parting came and all left feeling that they had had a most enjoyable time. Those present were G.W. Todd, Columbus; Lorena Haines, Zanesville; Mary Lucas, Zanesville; Mr. and Mrs. Scott Rochelle, Black Lick; W.R. Ayers, Summit Station; J.F. Hanson, Ralph Hanson, Clara Hanson, Black Lick; Samantha Clouse, Havens Corners; Rebecca Feasel, Rose Hill; Mr. and Mrs. W.I. Hempstead, Reynoldsburg; Mr. and Mrs. Homer Lucas, Zanesville; Mr. and Mrs. Rochelle, Black Lick; Mrs. Sarah Hathaway, Mrs. Anna Strockey and son, Arthur, Miss May Ayers and Miss Ville Bausch, Newark; M.S. Ayers and Mr. Xenophen [McIntosh] and family of Newark. (Newark Advocate, January 24, 1905)
Mr. Eugene Ayers the well known cigar maker and Miss Annie Brandon of Zanesville, were married Thursday evening at the home of Mr. Matt Ayers, 51 South Fifth street, by Rev. M.L. Bates. The couple will make their home in Newark and have the best wishes of their many friends.
Source: Newark Advocate, July 5, 1901.
AYERS, WILLIAM H., Newark, Ohio; carpenter. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, June 4, 1820. In youth he moved with his father’s family to New Jersey, and in 1837 to Newark, Ohio. He was married to Eliza A. Search in March, 1840, who was born in New Jersey January 23, 1820. By this marriage they have eleven children: James J., William Riley, Sarah A:, Charles, George, Frank, Edwin (who died an infant in 1855), Martin, Adelbert E. (infant-died in 1858), and Elsworth. Mr. Avers learned the carpenter trade early in life, which occupation he yet follows. When the war broke out, he enlisted in company E, Sixth United States cavalry, and after serving one year was discharged on account of disability. Shortly after his return home, he enlisted again and served until the close of the war. William Riley was also a member of the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and served one year. Sarah A. is the wife of W. Hathaway, of Newark.
Source: Hill, N.N. 1881. History of Licking County. Newark, OH: A.A. Graham & Co.
