Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 390 - 391

DR. WILLIAM NESBIT AYRES, who is also entitled to the term "Honorable," having served in the Illinois Legislature, has long been numbered among the aged residents of Valley Center, having been born on the 3d of March, 1811. He is a native of Frederick, Ohio, and the son of William and Elizabeth (Culver) Ayres, who were born respectively in Luzerne County, Pa., and Columbia County, N. Y. William Ayres, Sr., followed the joint occupations of miller and farmer, first in his native State and later in Ohio, where his death occurred in Lexington, Richland County, in 1850. He is remembered as a very intelligent man, of resolute will, untiring energy, and a valued citizen.

     Of the children, twelve in number, born to William, Sr., and Elizabeth Ayres, and comprising seven sons and five daughters, five died in infancy and seven lived to mature years. There are now but two surviving, Lavina, and William, of our sketch. The former is the widow of Dr. John C. McCoy, a native of Ohio, where he followed his profession, and died in middle life, leaving his wife with two sons-Lucynus S. and Willard. Mrs. McCoy is now a resident of Dodge City, Kan. The other children of the parental family were named respectively: Sarepta, Eliza, Pamelia, Harriet and Samuel B.

      Young Nesbit continued under the home roof until a youth of sixteen years, assisting his father in the mill and on the farm, and pursuing his studies in the district school. Later he attended the university at Mansfield, Ohio, taking a full course, and about 1830 commenced the study of medicine in Louisville, Ky., under the instruction of the eminent Dr. William C. Bunnell, with whom he remained from May, 1830, to December, 1833. He entered upon the practice of his profession at New Amsterdam, Ind., and subsequently returned to Louisville, where he received his diploma as a graduated physician of the Regular School. His close application to his studies thoroughly fitted him for the duties and responsibilities of his chosen calling, which he entered upon and followed with conscientious devotion until the flight of years admonished him that it was time to rest.

      From Louisville Dr. Ayres removed to Georgetown, Ind., and in due time was married there, Feb. 4, 1836, to Miss Eveline H. Hanger, who was born in Stanton, Augusta Co., Va., Sept. 19, 1814. Her parents were Martin and Elizabeth (Fullwider) Hanger, the father a farmer by occupation and one of the solid men of that section. Four sons and six daughters completed the household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Hanger, one of whom is now living and a resident of Eagle Township, this county. The parents are deceased.

      Dr. and Mrs. Ayres commenced life together in a modest home in Georgetown, Ind., where they remained thirteen years, and thence removed to Elizabethtown, Ill. This latter place was their home for a period of thirty-four years, during which time, in connection with his practice, Dr. Ayres carried on a drug-store for fourteen years. Upon making his arrangements for his future residence in Kansas, he sold out his drug business and invested the proceeds in eighty acres of land on section 26, in Valley Center Township. He arrived in this county on the 5th of July, 1882, and took possession of his farm, which, however, on account of business, he only occupied a few weeks, then removed to Valley Center, where he has since remained. He is partially retired from active practice, although, when especially called upon, considers it his duty to respond.

      Dr. Ayres is a devout member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and since the organization of the Democratic party has been one of its warmest adherents. During his residence of thirty-four years in Hardin County, Ill., he exercised a perceptible influence in political affairs. Before being elected to the Legislature he had held the office of Sheriff, and was otherwise prominent in the affairs of that section, being a man decided in his opinions, usually correct in his judgment, and one in whom the people had entire confidence.

      The children of Dr. William N. and Mrs. Eveline H. Ayres, ten in number, consisted of two sons and eight daughters, five of whom died in infancy, two, Eliza and Harriett L., being taken from the household circle in one day during the cholera scourge of 1849. Of the others the record is as follows: Mary Elizabeth is deceased; Warren was named after the famous General who commanded the troops at Bunker Hill during the Revolutionary War; Harrison Hamilton died when five years old; Augusta A. is the wife of Dr. James Rose, who first studied medicine under the instruction of his father-in-law from 1869 to 1871; Adeline, who died Jan. 28, 1877, was the wife of Elbert G., brother of Dr. James Rose, above mentioned. Dr. James and Elbert Rose continued in Elizabethtown, Ill., two years after the death of Elbert's wife, then removed to Harrisburg, Saline Co., Ill., of which they are still residents. He has a fine farm in Hardin County, and is the father of two sons, one of whom, Tevis M., died when about five years of age. The other, William Ernest, lives with his father. Elizabeth Ayres, the daughter of our subject, married John W. Ralph, in Elizabethtown, Ill.; he was a farmer, and held office in his county for a number of years. Of this union there were two children - William P. and George N. Mrs. Ralph departed this life on the 21st of January, 1868. She was a consistent member of the Regular Baptist Church.

      Dr. William N. Ayres was one of the charter members of the Ark Lodge No. 243, A. F. & A. M., in Valley Center, with which organization he is still connected, and in the success of which he is warmly interested. His pleasant home on Avenue B is the resort of a circle of warm friends and acquaintances, who have learned to esteem him for his sterling worth, and who will hold his name in kindly remembrance long after he has departed hence.

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