William Franklin Ayres (1853-1934) was the son of Henley and Anna Swain Ayres. He never knew his mother because she died when he was a little over one years old. His father was a Quaker minister, who also happened to be violent. When William was nine years old, he fled his house and ran to a beloved aunt and uncle's home. The Whitworth's allowed him to stay and he finished his childhood in their home. At age 21, he married Marria Barnaby. They had two children together, but only Lucy lived to adulthood. (see Lucy Heathco) Marria died in 1895. More research is needed on her. "Will" married Grace Clavell (1875-1941) in 1900. She had previously fled from a disastrous and violent marriage. She had a son named Lowell Leek, whom William adopted. Will and Grace had three children of their own: Anna (1901-1982), Norman F. (1903-1909), and Marjory (1908-2001).
As a young man he had many jobs in places like a slaughterhouse, in a carnival, and for an undertaker, but his main occupation was as a carpenter and painter in the Raysville and Knightstown, Indiana area. He also served as a road commissioner for Wayne Township in Henry County, Indiana. His granddaughter, Barbara Gulde Schmall described him as tall with sandy reddish hair. He was twenty-two years older than his second wife and he lived to the age of 81.
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