Ayres Family poses with Grandfather Moses Clavell--1909

Moses Clavell (sometimes spelled Clevell, Clavelle, Clevelle) poses with his daughter, Grace Clavell Ayres (1875-1941) and his four grandchildren: Lowell Ayres (formerly Lowell Leek), Anna (1901-1982), Norman (1903-1909), and Marjory, (1908-2001). Tragically, young Norman would die shortly after this photo was taken. It is unclear whether the family sat for the photo in Knightstown, Indiana or in Springfield, Ohio. The photographer is listed as "The Bankers."

Moses was a stonecutter for much of his life and lived in the Xenia, Ohio area. For a brief point, he and his wife Harriet Anna Dixon Clavell lived in Knoxville, Tennessee. She likely died there around 1902. He spent his last years in San Diego, California with one of his sons. He died in California.

It is possible that Moses Clavell is not biologically related to Anna Ayres. He married Harriett Dixon six years after the birth of Grace. In one census record, she is known as Gracie Dixon. There is still much to sort out with the Clavells and Dixons.

William Franklin Ayres c.1895

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.