Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 2.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 195.
 
WILLIAM ALBERT AYRES
 
     One of the most prominent and highly respected fanners of Lane county is
William A. Ayres, who, besides successfully operating a well improved and
productive farm, also holds the responsible position of secretary-treasurer and
manager of the First National Farm Loan Association, at Eugene. Mr. Ayres is a
native son of Lane county, born on the 7th of July, 1887, and is the seventh in
order of birth of the nine children who were born to Palmer and Mary E. (Benson)
Ayres, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Missouri. When Palmer Ayres
was six months old his father died and in 1865 the widowed mother brought her
family to Oregon, locating in Lane county when he was seventeen years of age. He
engaged in farming, in which he met with more than ordinary success, becoming
the owner of seven hundred acres of land in the home farm, besides other landed
interests in the county. He was a progressive man in his methods and was among
the first to import pure-bred cattle into this count}'. He was a democrat in
politics, served as a member of the school board, and was an active member of
the Baptist church. His wife, who lived in this county to the age of eighty
years, and died February 28, 1927, was a daughter of Edward Benson, who died in
the east. His widow brought her children to Oregon in 1851, crossing the plains
with ox teams, and subsequently she became the wife of Vincent McClure, of Lane
county.
 
     William A. Ayres secured his education in the public schools and at
McMinnville College. He was reared on the home farm and after completing his
education assisted his father for several years. He then bought one hundred and
fifty acres of good land in township 3, range 17, where he has since devoted
himself to farming and stock raising, keeping a splendid herd of pure-bred
Shorthorn cattle, in the handling of which he has met with very gratifying
success. For the past ten years Mr. Ayres has served as market master of the
Producers' Public Market in Eugene, and is now rendering effective service as
secretary, treasurer and manager of the First National Farm Loan Association. He
has also shown a deep interest in other phases of community life and has been an
active worker in various movements for the betterment of the county.
 
     On December 18, 1907, Mr. Ayres was united in marriage to Miss Naomi Ham,
who was born in Virginia but was living in Lane county at the time of her
marriage. To them have been born two children, Thelma and Harold. Mr. Ayres is a
republican in his political affiliation. He is a member of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, and the Grange, of which he is a past master, and has served
four years as secretary and manager and director of the Lane County Fair
Association.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2016 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.