Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 3. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 888. GEORGE AYRE is one of the influential citizens of Marshfield, where be is now living a retired life, devoting his attention closely to the care of his real estate holdings and other business enterprises in which he is interested in Marshfield. He was born in England in 1854 and is the son of George and Elizabeth (Allen) Ayre. The father was a native of England and the mother, who was of Scotch Irish extraction, was a cousin of Allen Pinkerton, the noted founder of the Pinkerton Detective Agency. To Mr. and Mrs. Ayre sixteen children were born, only three of whom lived to attain mature years, namely: James, whose death occurred in Pennsylvania in 1910; John, who is the proprietor of the Metropolitan Hotel at Atlantic City; and George, of this review. The father was a member of a family of nineteen children. In 1869 he emigrated to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania and in that state followed the occupation of shipbuilding until the time of his death, which occurred in 1891, the mother having passed away in 1887. George Ayre was reared in his parents' home and received his early education in the public schools. He started in life for himself at the age of eleven years, his first employment being that of cabin boy on an ocean vessel, and in that occupation lie continued for a period of four years, during which time the ship on which be sailed made all of the principal ports of the occident and orient. He then returned to England, where he remained but a short time and again went to sea for one year and returned to England. In April, 1869, he emigrated to America and on reaching the shores of the New world he found employment with a shipbuilding company, with which he continued for a brief period and then engaged in the occupation of a coal miner and continued to follow that business for three years. In 1876 he returned to England, where he was engaged in shipbuilding as an employee of his wife's father. He remained in England for five months, after which he returned to America, arriving in this country at the time when the coalmining industry was suffering from the prolonged strike of the operatives. He immediately returned to England, where he enlisted in the English army and was mustered into the North Yorkshire Artillery as musician. He continued with his command for four years, during which time he devoted himself largely to the study of music. Immediately following his discharge from the British army lie returned to America and joined Battery A of the First United States Artillery Band and continued in that relation for five succeeding years. In March, 1889, he removed to Coos county, settling in Marshfield, and at once engaged as an employee in the Libby mills. He later retired from that employment and established himself in Marshfield as a teacher of instrumental and vocal music, to which he devoted his undivided attention until 1909, when he retired from active business life. For many years he was the owner of a valuable piece of property located at the corner of Commercial avenue and Third street, which he later sold at a figure much advanced above its original cost to him. He is the owner of three valuable residence properties located on Elrod avenue and two others which he rents. In 1889 Mr. Ayre was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Ayre, a native of England, and to them seven children were born, four of whom died in infancy. Those living are Elizabeth, Edith and Robert, all of whom reside at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Ayre also have an adopted daughter, Eliza, who is now employed as Bookkeeper for the Home Telephone Company and resides at home. Mr. Ayre is a member of the prohibition party but is very liberal in the use of his franchise. He has never sought political preferment of any kind, choosing rather to give his attention to his private business interests. He is a member of the Baptist church of Marshfield. He belongs to the Foresters of America and for twenty five years was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His home is located at No. Tenth street, South. George Ayre is one of the valued and esteemed citizens of Coos county and he has been identified with the building up of various business enterprises of his portion of the state. As a teacher of instrumental and vocal music lie has contributed very materially to the intellectual and social refinement of the people of his county and state. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2006 by Becky Soules - DigIt - Marshfield Pioneer Cemetery, (cbcemetery at att dot net). Unless otherwise stated, submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.