Bio: Ayer, Cullen (History - 1841)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: AYER NUTTING LAMPSHIRE HARRIS

----Source: 1891 Bio. Hist. Of Clark Jackson Co., Wisconsin, pg. 386 - 387

                                      Cullen & Mary (Lampshire) Ayer

CULLEN AYER, a prosperous farmer residing on section 18, Unity Township, is deserving of mention in this connection, and we gladly allot the following space to a sketch of his life. He was born at Emden, Somerset County, Maine, March 2, 1841, and is a son of Jonas and Leah (Nutting) Ayer, natives of the same State and county. The family removed to Iowa County, Wisconsin, in 1845, when the country was new and thinly settled, and the privations and hardships of the pioneer were no small consideration. In 1868 they went to La Crosse County, Wisconsin, where the father died in 1874, at the age of sixty-seven years. The mother is still living, and resides in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, at the advanced age of seventy-seven years.

Jonas Ayer was a farmer by occupation, but after emigrating from Maine to Wisconsin he worked in the lead mines for several years at Mineral Point. In politics he was stanch adherent to the principles of the Whig party, and in later years voted with the Republicans.
There were twelve children born to Jonas Ayer and wife: Jane, Ellen, Leah, Sophia, Cullen, Owen, Jonas (1), Jonas (2), Elizabeth, Esther, Caroline, and Augusta.

Cullen Ayer was the fifth of the family he was reared at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and there received his education. At the age of seventeen years he began working in the timber on Black River, and has been connected with this business ever since, meeting with more than an ordinary degree of success. As his means have increased he has invested in land until he now owns 840 acres, on sections 7, 17, 18, and 21, Unity Township. It was in 1871 he settled at his present home on section 18 there he has 170 acres cleared and in a good state of cultivation. It has been no light task to place this land in a condition for the plow and reaper, but energy and determination will overcome almost insurmountable obstacles. Starting in life with no capital, as did our worthy subject, the success which has crowned his efforts is the more to be commended.

Politically Mr. Ayer is identified with the Republican party. During the late Civil War he was in the Government employ, in the Quartermaster's department. For fourteen years he has been chairman of the Town Board, and for the same length of has served most efficiently on the County Board.

Mr. Ayer was united in marriage August 8, 1864, to Miss Mary J. Lampshire, of Mineral Point, Wisconsin. Mrs. Ayer was born in England, February 16, 1847, and is a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Harris) Lampshire, also natives of England. They emigrated to America in 1848, and settled at once at Mineral Point, where they resided for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Ayer are the parents of eleven children: Edgar, Cullen, Jr., Frank, Jonas, William, Leonard, Mary J., Owen, Belva, Leah C. and Adelia. Frank died in 1881, at the age of eight years.