[p. 493] ex-sheriff of Lawrence County, is a well known citizen of Pulaski, where he is engaged in the manufacture of galvanized iron-top churns. He is a man of wide acquaintance throughout the county, and is very highly regarded.
Mr. Ayers was born in Pulaski, August 28, 1847, is a son of William and Nancy A. (Morrison) Ayers, and grandson of William Ayers, Sr., who at one time was a resident of Wilmington Township, Lawrence County. William Ayers, Jr. was born in Ohio and became an early settler in Pulaski, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where the larger part of his life was spent.
Edwin L. Ayers was reared to maturity in his native township, and received a good common school education. He is of that type which learns much through contact with the world and association with those who had greater educational advantages in their youth, and is a broad-guaged, liberal-minded man, well informed on matters of public interest. He was too young to enter the Union Army during the early years of the Civil War, but in February, 1865, enlisted in Company G, Seventy-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, served in the Army of the Cumberland under General Thomas, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged. At an early age Mr. Ayers learned the trade of a cabinetmaker, which he followed some years, and in later years engaged in the churn manufacturing business. The galvanized iron-top churn, of which he is manufacturer, is one of recognized merit and has met with a large sale. Mr. Ayers ships his product exclusively to Pittsburg, from which point it is distributed. He also is a stockholder and director of the Standard Fruit Company of Porto Rico, which is developing a fruit farm of 500 acres, on which will be grown oranges, grape fruit and pineapples for the New York market. In fact, shipments have already been made, as a part of the plantation is now bearing abundantly. Mr. Ayers has always been active politically, and has been an enthusiastic worker for Republican success. He served some years as Republican County Committeeman, and in November, 1903, was elected sheriff of Lawrence County. He discharged the duties of that office with marked efficiency during his three years' incumbency, and won a place high in the regard and good will of the public.
Mr. Ayers was first married to Miss Mary Porter, who died leaving four children, namely: William D., Leon L., Mattie A., wife of Professor Charles F. Ball, of Volant; and Clara A., wife of Harry Crooks, of Oil City, Pa. He was married a second time to Miss Abbie O. Hey, of Lawrence County, and they have two sons: Ralph and Henry H. Fraternally, he is a member of the Protective Home Circle of Pulaski, and also of the G. A. R. Post at New Castle.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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