Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-09-10
LAID 10 RESI- Wits
MASONIC HONORS,
Funeral Services Of the Late DR.. II
C. Ayers Are Held.

his home in Cheever township, Thurs
day evening Sept. o,ats o'clock agedSo
years. DR.. Ayres was known 20 all
the early timers and was one Of the
best men who ever came to Dickin-
son county. He has been in failing
health for two years.
With tho funeral ceremonies Of the
Masonic fraternity Of which he had
been member for So years the late
DR.. T. G. Ayers was laid to rest In
Henry cemetery, Cheever township,
Saturday. Sept. 5. A large number Of
members Of Benevolent lodge Of this
city went out to attend the funeral
and the ceremonies at the grave were
those Of the order.
Many friends from all parts Of
North Dickinson were present to pay
their respect to the memory Of one
who had always possessed their
esteem, their friendship and conf
dence.
DR.. Thomas c., Ayres was born in
Carroll county, Ohio, ON the 18th Of
December, 1922, and was a son of
William Ayres, a native Of Northum-
berland county, Pa, and grandson
Of James Ayres, who was born in the
Keystone state and died in Wayne
county, Ohio. The father died in
Putnam county, Ohio. He married
Elizabeth Simonton, native OF Ven
ango county, Pa. and a daughter Of
Thomas Simonton, who was born in
Ireland and spent his last days In
Stark county, Ohio. The mother died
| in Cheever township. The Ayres
family numbered seven children who
grew to mature years, and two died
in infancy.
His early boyhood days we're spent
in the village Of Harrisburg, Ohio,
and when he was a.lad Of thirteen his
parents removed to Stark county, To-
eating on farm. He remained I'M
der the parental roof until he had at
tanned his majority, and acquired his
primary education in the common
school. At the age Of sixteen, he be-
gan teaching school, following that
profession through the winter season,
while ia the summer months he
worked at farm labor. At length ne
determined to enter the medical pro-
fession, and in 1S42 began studying
in Osnaburg, Ohio, under the dtrec-
ton of Or. Samuel Wolf, with whom
he remained three years. During
that time he attended course o.
medical lectures in the Cleveland
Il
Medical college, and in the spring OF
l847 located in West Lebanon, Wayne.
county, Ohio, where he embarked in
practice. He spent one year in that
place and in the spring Of 1s4S re-
moved to Strasbugh, Tuscarawas
county, where he continued success
fully to engage in practice for TWEEN
ty-four years, with the exception Of
the time spent in the army.
In 1861, the doctor enlisted in Com
pany G, Fifty-frst Ohio Infantry, and
was made first sergeant, serving in
that capacity until New Years Cay Of
1868, when he was commissioned sec
ond lieutenant for good conduct and
meritorious service at the battle OF
Stone River. In June, 1864, he was
made first lieutenant of Company |.
In Decent Der of the same year he was
transferred to Company D, OF the
same regiment, with which he re-
NAMED until the 2Sd OF January, 1865,
when be was forced to resign on ac-
count Of i'll health. He had been
numbered among the boys in blue for
more than three years, and his pro-
motion from private to the rank OF
first lieutenant is evidence of his
faithfulness and valiant conduct. He
participated in twenty-five engage
ments, including the bates of Stone
River. Chickamauga, Lookout Noun
tain, Mission Ridge and the Atlanta
campaign.
DR.. Ayres returned to Strasburgh,
Ohio, with greatly impaired health
and for two years was unable to do
any business. He then engaged in
farming for about two years, and in
the spring Of 1879 be sold his prop
erty in the Buckeye state and came to
Dickinson county, residing in Abilene
for few months. He then located
4