Jesse Earl Ayres (1887 - 1978)

Born 29 Nov 1887 in Oberlin, Decatur County, Kansas, USA

Husband of Eva Frances Durham — married 28 Dec 1910 in Broken Bow, Custer County, Nebraska, USA

Died 7 Jan 1978 at age 90 in Broken Bow, Custer County, Nebraska, USA

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Biography

Taken from several accounts including one in CUSTER COUNTY CHIEF and also one on Page 1, THE COMSTOCK NEWS, issue of Thursday,January 12, 1978 printed Comstock, Nebraska, CHIEF printed in Broken Bow, Nebraska.

Obituary:

(1) Jesse Earl Ayres, 90, retired farmer formerly southwest of Comstock, now of Berwyn, Nebraska, died on Saturday morning, January 7, 1978 in the Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center in Broken Bow, Custer County, Nebraska.

He is survived by his wife, Dora I. Ayres in Berwyn, Nebraska; two sons, Wilford Ayres of Hudson, Iowa and Walter Ayres in Berwyn, Nebraska; and by six daughters, Verna Termin of Seattle, Washington, Vera Mathews of Bozeman, Montana, Hazel Leach of Berwyn, Nebraska, Helen Goddard who with her husband Rev. Robert Goddardis a missionary in Paraguay, in South America, Mildred Farmer of Grand Island, Nebraska and Mrs. John (Phyllis Ayres) Bowling of south of Broken Bow, Nebraska; also by 23 grandchildren and by 50 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other cousins and relatives and many friends and old time neighbors.

Funeral services were held for Mr. Ayres on Tuesday, January 10, 1978 at 2:00 p.m. at the Govier Brothers Mortuary Chapel in Broken Bow, Nebraska, with the Rev. Arthur H. Van Campen, pastor of the Berean~Fundamental Church in Broken Bow, officiating.

Burial was made in the rural Douglas Grove Cemetery near Wescott, west of Comstock in rural Custer County, Nebraska, with Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow in charge of the arrangements. Memorial was established to the Cancer Fund.

(2) Jesse Earl Ayres, the son of William Albert Ayres and Ann Elizabeth (nee Barrett) Ayres, was born on November 29, 1887 near Oberlin, Decatur County, Kansas.

At an early age, he moved with his family to Missouri and lived there for a few years and then returned with the family to Oberlin, Kansas. His school years, both grade and high school, were spent in Oberlin. In 1908, Jesse moved to Sargent, Nebraska and worked at farm work in the area.

On December 28, 1910, he was united in marriage to Eva Frances Durham. Over the years, nine children, 7 girls and 2 boys, came to bless their home. Jesse was a fine father and a faithful husband.

Jesse spent most of his life engaged in farming in the Dry Valley area of Custer County, Nebraska and he was actively engaged until 1960 when he re­tired and moved to Berwyn, Nebraska. His wife died on April 5, 1963.

Three and one-half years later, on September 7, 1966, he was united in marriage to Dora Lenstrom, Mrs. Lenstrom being of Berwyn, and together they enjoyed the last eleven years.

Jesse served in several capacities of community service during his life (note: he was Mayor of Berwyn for a time after moving there) and was highly thought of by all who knew him.

On March 19, 1972, Jesse received the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour and on August 20th of that year he was baptized in the Middle Loup River.

He was honored on his 90th birthday just this past November 27, 1977 with an Open House at the United Methodist Church in Berwyn, attended by a great many.

Sources

• 1. Linda HOWELL, DURHAM_AYRES Genealogy

2. 1920 Census: Grant County, Nebraska, USA

House 103 William PRUITT and wife Annie (parents to above Mary; House 105 Jesse Ayres, Eva and children and Louisa Durham Frank & Martha H. lost a son..... Martha 1866-1929 was also a half sister of Louisa (Thomas SMITH's 3rd marriage) and married Frank HENDERSON 1863 - 1933.

Their children: Sadie 1896 -24 Oct 1918; Merle 1898. He and his wife were married more than 70 years. Wilbur (Jack) 14 Mar 1899 - 20 Oct 1918 Ray Alta Mona Muriel Helen F. 14 Jun 1906 - 23 May 1907.