Edward Ayers

Photos from the Past

Edward Ayers

Edward Ayers was born in Minster Parish, Isle of Sheppey, County Kent England. He had been ‘bound out’ as an apprentice to a harness maker. At age 18, he ‘skipped his bond’ and took passage for America. He worked a few years as a farm hand in Michigan and Illinois and saved enough money to send back to England for his sister Abigail, younger brPprivate in Captain Barbour Lewis' Company G, 1st Regiment Missouri Volunteer Cavalry under Colonel Calvin A. Ellis. He was promoted to Corporal was at the Battle of Pea Ridge. He served 3 years and saw much action in Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi. He was honorably discharged August 20, 1864. After the war he was a farmer near Jacksonville, Illinois, and later at Admire, northeast of Emporia, Kansas. Edward Ayers died November 25-26, 1919 at Emporia, Kansas. Photograph and information submitted by Richard F.E. Smith.


Edward Ayers