HON. ALVAH W. AYRES.
  
Alvah W. Ayres
HON. ALVAH W. AYRES.
The founders of a state are not merely the men who handle the reins of government and control the public policy but are also those who carry civilization into hitherto wild regions and develop the natural resources of the state. Such a one is Alvah W. Ayres, who came to Wyoming in pioneer days and was among the first to establish the fact that Converse county was rich in its natural resources and its opportunities. His labors have been a most potent element in promoting its material progress, in establishing its high educational standards and in advancing its interests in many ways. Hardships and privations were bravely and courageously met by him, for his connection with the county dates back to a period when it was most sparsely settled and the most arduous labor was required on the part of the early residents to make the district habitable and safe. Mr. Ayres was born in Luzerne county, now Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1841, a son of James L. and Patience M. (Vincent) Ayres, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. The paternal grandfather died when James L. Ayres was but four years of age, so that the genealogical records of the family have not been preserved. In the maternal line, however, it is known that the Vincents are of old colonial stock, many of the name being placed high on the list of those who have attained eminence in professional, industrial and commercial circles. The mother of our subject has been dead several years. She began her married life on a farm and removed with her husband to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he followed farming for many years. A removal was afterward made to Illinois and eventually to Gage county, Nebraska, where the death of Mr. Ayres occurred.
In 1860, Alvah W. Ayres came west to Colorado, where he followed teaming until 1882 and during the last four years of that period carried on business on his own account. He made his first trip to Wyoming in 1865, Fort Laramie being his destination, and in 1867 he traveled to Fort Fetterman, Indians occasioning him much trouble upon that trip. In 1882 he located on his present home ranch on the La Prele river, twelve miles west of Douglas, in the midst of rare scenic attractions. A natural bridge is located on his ranch and the Oregon trail passes through the property. The La Prele river crosses his ranch and irrigates two hundred acres of the fertile soil, on which Mr. Ayres is raising fine crops of grain and alfalfa. His home ranch comprises more than six hundred acres and he leases and has under his control more than two thousand acres, upon which he is running a herd of thoroughbred horses and also has over three hundred head of cattle.
On the 6th of April, 189o, Mr. Ayres was married to Mrs. Sallie 0. Button. a native of Virginia. Her maiden name was Clay and her first husband was William D. Button, a native of Vermont. She has an adopted son, Andrew Clement. Mrs. Ayres traces her American ancestry back to the seventeenth century, when four brothers—John, Charles, Henry and Thomas Clay—emigrated from England to the new world, all of the Clays in this country being their descendants. Her ancestors settled in Virginia. Her grandfather, the Rev. Charles Clay, was a very near relative of the eminent Henry Clay of Kentucky and was one of the first Episcopal clergymen of America, having to cross the Atlantic to London to be ordained. He was a close and intimate friend of Thomas Jefferson and Mrs. Ayres has in her possession an autograph letter of that distinguished early patriot which was written to her grandfather.
As a citizen Mr. Ayres is quiet and unobtrusive, ever earnest in support of what he believes of value, in public matters. He votes with the republican party and is by no means an office seeker. He was one of the first school commissioners of Converse county and assisted in erecting the first school building within its borders. Great indeed have been the changes which have occurred since his arrival here. At that date Converse county was far remote from railroad communication and the most farsighted could scarcely have dreamed of the great changes which were to occur and transform this into a populous and prosperous district. Indians were far more numerous than the white settlers and at times occasioned them great trouble. A few venturesome spirits were pasturing their herds upon the open range, but such a life necessitated great hardships and privations and ofttimes danger. Mr. Ayres did not hesitate, however, to cast in his lot with these first settlers and from that time to the present has borne an active and prominent part in developing this section of the state.