The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-08
LYMAN s. AYRES DEAD
story Of His Lffe-How He Rose from
a Picture Peddler to n Wealthy and
Prosperous Business Man.

Mr. Lyman s. Ayres died yesterday morn
ing at O'Clock at his residence, No. 6o6
North Delaware street. Mr.. Ayres had been
seriously i'll but few days. He was taken
i'll Saturday. and Sunday was in an uncon-
scious condition, from which he rallied Tues
day and was thought to be out of danger.
Wednesday he became worse and passed
away early yesterday morning. The imme-
date cause of death was gain stones.
Mr. Lyman s. Ayres was typical example
of the self-made man. He was born in
western New York twelve years ago.
His education was acquired in the VIII
lage schools, which he attended one or two
months each winter for three or four years.
He left the home of his parents when merely
a boy and earned living selling pictures,
travelling through the country. He went into
Ohio about 1S47 and adopted 1t for his home
for some time He travelled on foot from
place 20 place, still selling pictures. He
worked out OF that business and spent his
small savings for a stock of dry goods and
notions. which he put into a wagon. He
had regular route to go ever about once
month. and worked up a good trade. The
traits of the early days were the ones that
always chung to him. Ho was pleasant,
obliging, carried a good quality Of goods.
him and saved their trade for him. He
was great worker and never asked per-
son to do anything that he would not do
himself.
He peddled with his wagon for several
years. and finally opened a small dry goods
store at Chardon. o., where he remained
until about 1864 A better opening offering at
Geneva, he went there, and in 1868 or SO he
came to this city. where he opened the Trade
Palace. No. 26-2s West Washington street.
where he was in partnership with n. r.
Smith under the firm name of n. r. Smith
&c Ayers. The house easily took the lead
among dry goods houses Of the town, and
both men were of progressive order and
the Trade Palace was the A. T. Stewart
store of Indiana.
In 1876 this partnership was dissolved, Mr..
Ayres buying Mr.. Smiths interest and the
latter retiring. In the fall of the same year
Mr.. Ayres removed to the building across
the street, which was erected for him by
Mr.. James Bradshaw, and where the busi-
ness has been conducted ever since.
Mr.. j. g. Thomas was partner with Mr..
Ayres for some years, but 1t was Mr.. Ayres' 3
am am 1 to be sole proprietor, and he bought
NAMED with the house, however, as man
ager until his death, about two years ago.
The sign and name of the firm remained l..
ner.
Mr.. sAyres was very accessible man;
the least cash boy was as free to speak with
him as any one. He was extremely kind
to those In his employ, and there are men
in responsible positions In the establishment
who began with him as cash boys. They
feel that nothing too good can be said of Mr..
Ayres and that In his death they lose a
personal friend. His business integrity was
remarkable. He never took an advantage of
a mistake in a bin, and was honest to a
penny. He was very careful about the de-
tails of his business. and never allowed waste
or extravaganza in any department At the
same time he gave largely to charity, and
organized charity in the city.
loyalty to the friends of his youth He was
a real friend to them, and IL was his pleas
ure to entertain any of them when they
came to the city. The man who gave him
a start by giving him credit for his first
small stock of dry goods and notions was
always his firm friend, though Mr.. Ayres
had long ago passed him on the road to
successful business.
Mr.. Ayres had not had robust health for
a number of years. and he had taken ex-
tended vacations. His favorite resting place
was a suburban home, one of. the most de-
lghtful in northern Ohio, situated at Paines-
ville
Mr.. Ayres was a member OF the Second
Presbyterian Church. He leaves a widow,
two daughters and a son, Mrs. William B.
Frederick NJ. Ayres. Mr.. Wheelock and
Mr.. F. NJ. Ayres have been in business with
Mr.. Ayrss. He leaves property worth about