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WILBUR W. AYERS
By virtue of a good education and thorough training in the business world, Mr. Ayers is well fitted for the position
he now occupies in Riverside county, where by his industry and unfailing sterling qualities he has won the respect
and esteem of his associates. He was born September 25, 1874, in Linn county, Kan., the fourth in a family of five
children born to his parents, William H. and Minnie E. (Newell) Ayers, who were natives of Erie county, Pa., and
Iowa, and born in 1845 and 1846 respectively. In 1847 W. H. Ayers was taken to Ohio by his parents and later removed
to Kansas, in 1857. He served during the Civil war as a member of Company M, Fifteenth Kansas Cavalry. In 1866
he was united in marriage, in Linn county, Kan., and that county remained the family home until removal was made
to Highgrove, Cal., in 1908. Besides Wilbur W. the children are: F. S., a resident of San Diego; Augusta, Mrs.
J. W. Adams, of Riverside; Rollin H., a Methodist preacher now in Denver, Colo.; and E. L., who is associated with
his brother in the mercantile business at Highgrove. W. H. Ayers was a son of Dr. Samuel Ayers, who was a co worker
with John Brown, Jr., and others in the border warfare in Kansas.
Upon the completion of his education in the public schools of Linn county, W. W. Ayers took a year's normal course,
after which he secured a position as teacher in the schools of his native town. In 1897 he removed to Albany, Ore.,
where he accepted a position in the Albany Woolen Mills, but a year later went to San Francisco, where he secured
employment with the Great American Importing Tea Company. In 1898 he took charge of their Riverside business, continuing
with the company until 1904, when he removed to Highgrove, where he purchased a small stock of merchandise, being
associated with his younger brother. Shortly after his location in his present place he was appointed postmaster
and has since served in that capacity. In 1907 Mr. Ayers erected a store building suited to their growing business
and by the united efforts of his brother and himself their business has been placed on a substantial basis.
Despite an unfortunate accident which occurred August 19, 1909, as he stepped from a train at Highgrove, his right
arm being crushed beneath the wheels, Mr. Ayers bravely continued his duties and has become expert in using his
left hand. He is an official member of Highgrove Methodist Episcopal Church, and has served as superintendent of
the Sunday school for three years. His wife also is a faithful worker in that field and is well known as a leader
in the various women's auxiliaries in the church.
On December 25, 1901, Mr. Ayers was united in marriage with Miss Stella Stephenson, a native of Sedgwick, Kan.,
where she received her primary education and later graduated from Riverside high school. She is a daughter of Homer
Stephenson, of whom a sketch is to be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Ayers have four children: Ronald
W., Arthur M., Wilbur W., Jr., and Newell Morgan, all of whom were born in Riverside county. In politics Mr. Ayers
is independent and prompt to support well qualified candidates. He is a member of Riverside Lodge, No. 282, I.
O. O. F., and is conceded to be one of Highgrove's public spirited and helpful citizens, having aided materially
in the development of the community.
From:
History of Riverside County, California
With a Biographical Review
History by Elmer Wallace Holmes
And other well known writers
Historic Record Company
Los Angeles, California 1912
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