Andrew Ayers

Andrew Ayers was born October 10, 1832 in Wayne County, Ohio to James Martin Ayers, Jr. and Jane Richey. He was the eighth of ten children, having five brothers and four sisters. He was five feet ten inches tall with black hair, hazel eyes, and a dark complexion. In 1850, he was a farmer and resided in Hanover Township, Ashland County, Ohio. Later in his life, he became a house carpenter.

In November 1855, Andrew married Diantha Jane Richey in Canal Fulton, Stark County, Ohio. Diantha was about 20 years old at the time of their marriage. She was the daughter of John Richey and Elinor Nixon. They had at least five children: Flora E. Ayers, Delbert C. Ayers, Sarah C. Ayers, Samantha S. Ayers, and Nella E. Ayers.

Andrew Ayers enlisted in the military service of the United States in Van Wert, Ohio on August 5, 1862 into Company A of the 99th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted to serve during the Civil War for a period of three years. He was 29 years old at the time. On August 26, 1862, he was mustered into service as a private at Camp Lima, Ohio. The Company was under the command of Captain Scott.

Andrew was present during the campaign against General Bragg's army in the Autumn of 1862. He contracted measles on December 4, 1862, while in camp near Nashville, Tennessee. He spent about five to six months receiving medical treatment in various hospitals in Tennessee and Kentucky. He was listed as being disabled as of March 4, 1863. In Camp Dennison, Ohio, he also contracted Typhoid pneumonia. It resulted in a partial solidification of the upper lobe of his left lung and chronic bronchitis. He was honorably discharged at Camp Dennison on May 30, 1863 due to his physical disability. Andrew went home to reside in Mercer County, except for the two months that he lived with family in Canal Fulton, Stark County, Ohio.

On February 14, 1865, having partially regained his health, Andrew re-enlisted and mustered into service February 15, 1865 at Lima, Ohio. He was a Corporal in Company D of the 193rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was 32 years old. He served with this Regiment until the close of the war and was discharged August 4, 1865.

In 1867, Andrew's health worsened as his heart was now affected, too. As a result, he could no longer work as a carpenter. In 1877, he still resided in Mendon, Mercer County, Ohio and on April 7, 1879, he was elected Clerk of Union Township. Andrew Ayers was only 53 years old when he died on December 9, 1886. He was buried in Loudonville Cemetery in Hanover Township. Diantha, his wife, continued to reside in Loudonville, Ashland County, Ohio and continued to receive a pension of $30 per month until her death, January 19, 1924. She was 88 years old.