My Genealogy Hound

H. S. AYRES, freight-agent, Sharpsburg, was born in Blair county, Pa., Aug. 26, 1846, and comes of mixed extraction. His grandfather, William Ayres, was an iron worker, and lived in Eastern Pennsylvania. He married Mattie Martin, of Welsh descent, and by her had twelve children, five now living. William, the sixth child, was born in 1824, in Centre county, Pa., and married Mary, daughter of John Funk, a farmer of Blair county. William was a nailer by trade, came to Allegheny county in 1849, and with the exception of six years has since resided in Sharpsburg. He is the father of nine children, all living, Henry S. being the eldest. The latter was educated at the public schools, and at the age of thirteen years became a clerk in Pittsburgh, where he remained seven years. Since 1866 he has been engaged in the railroad business, holding prominent positions in every department. He married, in 1871, Elizabeth Douglass, of Pittsburgh, and three children, all living, are the result of this union: Clara, Douglass and George. Mr. Ayres is one of the prominent citizens of Sharpsburg, and has served in the town council. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a republican.