I. R. Ayers

    I. R. Ayers is the proprietor of one of the leading industries of Kendallville. Mr. Ayers is a native of Huron County, Ohio, and son of Enoch Ayers, who came to Steuben County, Indiana about 1836, one of the pioneers and early settlers of that locality. His father was a farmer, and also operated a saw-mill, and upon the farm and engaged in the saw-mill our subject passed his youthful days until the age of fifteen, when he went to Albion to learn the trade of carriage-making with Mr. Hoffman, with whom he remained about three years. In 1860, he came to Kendallville, and until 1864 was employed at his trade. He then enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and remained until the close of the war. Upon his return, he resumed his trade, at which he was engaged until 1873, when he started in business for himself, and has established a successful trade. He now constructs only first-class work in carriages and buggies; also does general repairing. Mr. Ayers employs from six to eight workmen at present, and is extending his business each year. He is a member of the Masonic Order.

    In 1861, he was married to Miss Ellen Eley, of Jefferson Township. They have two children -Glenna and Maud.

Source: Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. Weston A. Goodspeed, Charles Blanchard, 1882, page 298.