Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-07-15
snHsrprxe HEpnn ArRns.
Biographical sketch of tho late
Rev. Arthur w. mildly ~ SUCCESSOR.

TYPOGRAPHICAL bketch OF tine Late
Rev. Arthur w. NHBIby'
Bishop Mallalieu, on Friday, appointed
the Rev, Thomas Oliver Ayres of Denton,
Md, presiding elder Of the Dover district
Of the Wilmington M. L. Conference, to
succeed the Rev. Arthur w. MILKY, who
died recently. The appointment was
made while the bishop was in Boston, and
took effect Monday. Mr.. Ayres was nomi.
mated by the Preachers Association OF the
Dover district by vote Of Ia to y, but sub
sequently his nomination was made unani-
NOUS The Reys. Il. K. Mnrtindale OF
Dover, T. II. Haynes Of Frederick and
Barrett's Chapel, J. b. Quigg of Smyrna,
and II. s. Thompson of Easton, aspired
TO fill the vacancy and their friends sent
many letters Of Recommendation TO the
bishop.
Presiding Elder Ayres was born in
Queen Anne's county, Nd, and was AZ
years old May 27th last He was the
eighth child of q family of nine. His
parents were James and Nancy (Harwood)
Ayres. His father was Of Engliah de-
scent and his mother on her fathers side,
of Irish extraction. She was married in
her 18th year and died aged 48, in 1850.
His father died in 1872, in his 42d year,
when Thomas was only four years old.
Thomas had few advantages Of education.
He commenced attending school nj 3
years of age, but went only at intervals.
After the death OF his mother he was en-
ployed on farm. When II years Of nge
he went TO Smyrna and served three years
as an apprentice at harness making. He
became a good workman and was EN-
NIL, Gov afk Ia tna la
expired. At the end Of this year he
bought out his employer and began bust
ness in his own name, at which he con-
tinued until 1861. During all these years
he employed all his leisure time in study.
When the civil war broke out he became
an earnest patriot and Republican and,
October 25th, 1862, entered as private
the Sixth Regiment, Company A, Della
ware Infantry. When the company was
organized he was made orderly sergeant
and served during the entire term. He
re-enlisted and entered the Seventh Regi-
ment, Delaware Infantry, July 9th, 1864,
and served as first lieutenant of Company
i. After his muster out he again volun-
teered and was made first lieutenant OF
Company F, Ninth Regiment, Delaware
Infantry; was detailed and made adjutant.
December 18TH 1864, he was commits
stoned captain of Company H and was
mustered out at the expiration Of his term
of service. He resumed his business al
Smyrna, but under the strong conviction
that this was not to be the business of his
life.
In 1859 he became member of the
Al. u. church at Smyrna. During the
next nine years he was successfully o
Glass leader, exhorter and local preacher,
and, while giving all needful attention to
business, was still earnestly applying
himself to preparing for the ministry OF
the gospel. He first served the church
occasionally on Smyrna circuit and was
received into the rank as q travelling
preacher in 1870. He was appointed to
Millsboro and served as pastor of that
charge for three years and, in 1876, was
appointed TO the Pooomoke City M. T.
church for two years then became pas
tor of Asbury M. E, church, Crisiield, fol
two years. In 1882 he was made pastor
of the M. e. church ut East New Market
During the past 16 months he has beer
pastor OF the M. Il. church at Denton.
He is an original thinker and as {
speaker, is forcible and popular. He hai
been very successful as hnancier il
church matters and largely engaged il
building up churches and church prop
erty. He has been very active in th'
temperance cause and been a bold ant
fearless worker in behalf OF local option
In 1868 he joined the Good Templars ant
year later was made Grand Worth.
Chief Templar of the State of Delawar
for one year. As an Odd Fellow he In
passed all the chairs and has been dele
gate to the Grand Lodge of tho State. II
1861 he married Rebecca T., daughter G
Joseph and Phoebe A. Diseh of Smyrna
They have had nine children, only tire
OF whom survive.