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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ARTICLE ON EZRA J. AYRES

Ezra J. Ayres, M.D. is a worthy and talented representative of the medical profession at California (Twp.), where he located June 1871.

The subject of this sketch was born Oct. 17, 1839, in Jay Township, Essex Co., N.Y., and is the son of John S. and Cyrena (Sumner) Ayers, natives of New York state and descendants of New England.  The father of our subject was a farmer ...... In 1841 the family removed to Williams County, Ohio, where the father died at age 37.  The mother of our subject was six years younger than her husband and died at the age of 45 years.  The family consisted of six children:  Lydia C., the wife of Dr. Joseph Hagarty; Sarah A., the wife of Osborn Britton of Neopolis, Ohio; Ezra J., our subject; Mary L., the wife of T.G. Elliott of Amboy Michigan; Uri S. died at the age of 31 in Bridgewater, Oh.; John L. enlisted in the Army at age 16 and died at Spottsylvania.

At the age of 21, Ezra started his life on his own account, and coming to Michigan, located in Amboy, Hillsdale County, where he soon afterwards chose his partner in life, Miss Alwilda J. Elliott.  Mrs. Ayers was born in Stark Co., Oh., Jan. 19, 1844 and is the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Grewell) Elliott, natives of Pa. and W.V. respectively. 

After marriage Mr. Ayres engaged in the study of medicine, reading with his father-in-law, Dr. Elliott, and during the Civil War commenced his practice. 

Dr. & Mrs. Ayres became the parents of two children: Alva C. and John L., the latter now deceased.  He was born in Amboy, Mich., and was married July 27, 1884, to Miss Eva L., dau. of David & Mary Sherer.  He died in California (Twp) at age 21y, 6m, 29d.  Alva C., the surviving son of our subject, was born in Amboy, Mich., Oct. 18, 1861.  He was married May 1, 1887 to Miss Ella Bickford, who was born in Algansee Twp. Jan. 30, 1868, the dau. of Ira and Mary (Craig) Bickford