Ira Ayer, II

1836 - 1903  (66 years)

• Name	Ira Ayer  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
  Suffix	II
  Born	14 Jul 1836	Evans Center, New York
  Gender	Male
  Census	13 Sep 1850	Evans, New York
  	Son.
  Education	Between Sep 1853 and Dec 1854	Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania
  Military	Between 1855 and 1861	New York
  	He served as 1st Lieut. as of May 26, 1855 in the New York 67th Regiment, 32nd Brigade, 8th Division. This seems to have been a part time army because he was attending school off and on during this period.
  Education	1859	Lima, New York
  	The school is the predecessor of Syracuse University.
  Education	Between 1860 and 1861	Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania
  Census	15 Aug 1860	Evans, New York
  	Son.
  Milit-Beg	14 Jun 1861	Camp Wilkins, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  	He was mustered in as Captain of Company I of the Tenth Reserve Regiment.
  Milit-End	11 Jun 1864	Washington, District of Columbia
  	He was still in the hospital at the time.
  Census	18 Jul 1870	Norfolk, Virginia
  	Boarder, listed as a Special Agent of the Treasury Department, however, his name is spelled Eyre and it says he was born in Massachusetts.
  Census	5 Jun 1880	Ashland, Virginia
  	Head, 31 Rail Road.
  Census	11 Jun 1880	Baltimore, Maryland
  	Boarder, 139 Edmondson Avenue, US Treasury Agent.
  Census	6 Jun 1900	Brooklyn, New York
  	Head, 37 Cabridge Place.
  Biography	The following is from a book called "Marital Deeds of Pennsylvania" written by Samuel P. Bates. It was published in 1874 by T. H. Davis & Co in 1875. The book contains biographies of many of the more prominent people that fought in the Civil War from Pennsylvania. Ira Ayer, Jr., Colonel of the Tenth Reserve regiment, was born in Erie county, New York, on the 14th of July, 1836. He was son of Ira and Julia M. (Wadsworth) Ayer. At the opening of the Rebellion he was a student of Allegheny College. Without waiting for authority he called together his fellow-students, and having had some training in the Sixty-seventh militia, of which his father was Colonel, commenced drilling them. Though earnest in his appeals his company failed of acceptance, until the Reserve corps was authorized, when it was mustered as Company I of the Tenth. He was first in action at Dranesville. He seems to have had a poetic appreciation of valor; for when General Ord, who commanded in the battle, came galloping forward, leading Easton's battery into action, he thus records his impressions: "Just then Ord came dashing up. `Make way for my artillery,' he shouted, and without slackening his speed dashed by, while his `war-dogs' followed close behind. The General was an old artillerist, and knew well how to value this arm of the service. The scene was, I think. the most animated that I witnessed during the war. He was mounted on a beautiful bay, and as he rode up, his eyes flashing fire and every lineament of his countenance betokening courage, his presence inspired all with confidence." In the battle of Beaver Dam Creek he was sent forward with his company to occupy the skirmish line, and remained in this advanced position during the entire engagement, the regiment ??quitting itself in the most gallant manner. "About ten o'clock," he says, "the roar of artillery had ceased. In our advanced position we could hear distinctly the movements of the enemy, and the cries and shrieks of the wounded and dying, as lay where they had fallen or were being moved from the field." In the battle of the following day, at Gaines' Mill, he received a gunshot wound in the right side and a severe contusion of the right arm. "Colonel Warner," he says, "mustered the regiment on the 30th, and I shall never forget the glow of soldierly pride with which he commended the company's bravery, and viewed its thinned but still compact ranks." And now came the change of base, with infinite discomfort to the wounded and worn-out soldiers. But a place of rest had not been gained before the enemy attacked, now at Charles City Cross Roads. The Reserves felt the first shock and were terribly scourged, but suffered no diminution of gallantry. In the Seven Days of this contest Captain Ayer's company lost more heavily in killed and wounded than any in the division. As it was the representative of one of the prominent colleges in the State, the fact may be regarded as significant. At Bull Run, Captain Ayer received a severe wound. Passing over this field nearly a year afterwards the recollection of the battle were brought vividly to his mind and he thus wrote to a friend: "A little farther on we came to the scene of our last year's operations. There is the very field where we lay, Thursday night, August 28th, all day under a hot sun, covered a little from the enemy. This was near Groveton. Yonder is the wood where our regiment made a charge to take a rebel battery, but without success, and there is the field where they shelled us after dark, throwing their missiles very accurately, but, as it happened, without effect. That was Friday evening, the 29th; and there is the field where our regiment stood picket the same night. Passing on a little farther we come to the house hear which we lay Saturday, before we were ordered into the engagement. But here to the right is the very spot where the regiment fought. There fell Captain Hinchman, of Company A, and it is said that he is buried in that little rail enclosure. Here, too, fell Tryon and Pearl; and Phelps, out Lieutenant, a bold and dashing officer, was shot through the breast. No better men graced the ranks of the Union army. On this same ridge the rebel bullet struck my arm, and another went through my hat. The former made a sad hole in my canteen, causing all my cold coffee to run out. The boys in going over the field to-day found what they asserted to be the self-same canteen; but they were mistaken, for I carried it off with me." His wound was a severe one, fracturing the left forearm. At Gettysburg, while reconnoitering, he was fired at by two sharpshooters from an unexpected quarter, but was not hit. Turning suddenly back, a third shot was fired, which just grazed his side, making a deep abrasion, and would have done certain execution had it not been fired at the instant of his turning away, carrying him out of aim after the missile had actually left the piece. He had been promoted to the rank of Major on the 18th of October, 1862, and on the 18th of December, 1863, was advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel and placed in command of the regiment. When it entered the Wilderness campaign it went with the free step and resolute mien of the best trained and organized soldiers. It had not penetrated far before the old foe was met. In a letter dated May 6th, the second day of the battle, he says: "Our division had been rapidly ordered forward, preparatory as was supposed to a charge upon the enemy's works. I was leading my regiment my regiment into line when hit by a bullet from the one of the enemy's sharpshooters, which passed through the large bone of my leg, causing a very painful though I hope not dangerous wound. I was compelled to leave the field at once, which I did after exhorting my men to do their duty." For more than a year after the Reserve corps had completed its period of service and been mustered out he was disabled. He was brevetted Colonel for this action, and was warmly complimented by Generals Crawford and Fisher. Only by wounds, however, was he kept from the field, possessing a good constitution and actuated by real patriotism. In person he is six feet in height, well formed, and of fair complexion. At college he manifested a strong liking for mathematics and natural science, and later in his course for lingual studies. Strictly temperate--of tobacco and spirituous liquors abstemious--he was little affected by temptation, as the habits of youth are strengthened and firmed by time. Colonel Ayer was married on the 21st of December, 1863, to Miss Jennie James, whose mother had, during the war, ministered at the bedside of many sick and dying soldiers, evincing a patriotism as sincere and fervid as the man who bore the musket and met face to face the foe. She watched at the side of one of the brave men of Ayer's company, Edwin B. Pier, a scholar of promise, and after his death wrote a most touching letter, descriptive of the Christian fortitude of the departed young soldier. When Ayer next visited Washington, he called upon the family to tender his acknowledgments for the kindness shown his beloved companion-in-arms, and then for the first time met the daughter. The acquaintance ripened into esteem, and finally resulted in their marriage. At the close of the war, Colonel Ayer settled in Virginia, and now resides at Norfolk, where he holds a responsible position in the civil service of the General Government. The following is the Civil War record of Ira Ayer, Jr. rebuilt from his military records and other sources. June 14, 1861 - Ira Ayer, Jr. enlisted as Capt. "to fill an original vacancy" in Co I, 10th Reg't Pennsylvania Reserve Corps for a period of three years. July 21, 1861 Harrisburg, PA - reported for duty. Sept. & Oct., 1861 - Muster roll - present. Nov. & Dec., 1861 - Muster roll - present. Jan. & Feb., 1862 - Muster roll - present. Mar. & Apr., 1862 - Muster roll - present. May. & June., 1862 - Muster roll - present. Aug. 29&30, 1862 - Wounded at Bull Run. July. & Aug., 1862 - Muster roll - absent - wounded. Sept. & Oct., 1862 - Muster roll - absent - wounded in hospital. Oct. 27, 1862 Buffalo - Letter from Doctor "To whom it may concern...the arm of Capt Ayer...tho doing well, it would be injurious if not dangerous to attempt to use it for at least twenty days yet." Nov. & Dec., 1862 - Muster roll - present. Jan. & Feb., 1863 - Muster roll - present commanding Regiment. Apr. 10, 1863 - Special Muster roll - present. Apr. 22, 1863 - Promoted to Major. Mar. & Apr., 1863 - Muster roll - present. May 1, 1863 Washington, DC - Individual Muster-out roll - age 25. May 13, 1863 Washington, DC - Individual Muster-in roll - age 25. May. & June., 1863 - Muster roll - present. Jul. & Aug., 1863 - Muster roll - present. Sept. & Oct., 1863 - Muster roll - present. Nov. & Dec., 1863 - Muster roll - absent on leave. Dec. 13, 1863 - From [Manenton] Junction applied for a pass to Alexandria for three days to transact private business. Dec. 15, 1863 - Went on leave. Dec. 18, 1863 - Printed Special Order 560. War Department Adjutant General's Office, Washington, December 18th, 1863. (Extract) 27. The leave of absence granted Major Ira Ayer, 10th Pennsylvania Reserves, in Special Orders, No. 551, December 12th, 1863, from this Office, is hereby extended fifteen days. By order of the Secretary of War: Signed by E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant General. Dec. 21, 1863 Washington - Ira and Jennie got married. Jan. 15, 1864 - Returned from leave. Feb. 27, 1864 - Promoted to Lieut. Colonel to replace retiring Lt. Col. J. B. Knox. Took Oath of Office as Lieut. Colonel in Bristow Va. Jan. & Feb., 1864 - Muster roll - present. Mar. & Apr., 1864 - Muster roll - present. May 6, 1864 - Wounded by "minie ball" in right leg at Wilderness. May 12, 1864 - Admitted to a hospital (stamp says 3rd Div G. Alexandria, Va). Record says age: 28, Nativity: New York, Married, Residence: Washington, DC, wife: Jennie Ayer of 13th St. Washington, DC, Rank: Lt. Col. from Army of the Potomac. Back says Patient was received at 12ock at Night and transferred the Next Morning 7ock. no description of wound taken. May 13, 1864, Transferred to Washington, DC [Seminary] Hospital. No date - Treated at Vol. Officers Hospital for G. S. W. (gun shot wound) Leg. June 11, 1864 - Discharged. "this records that the above named officer was discharged the service June 11, 1864, by reason of the muster out of the field and staff on that date, he being at the time absent wounded." He was in Gent. Hospital in Washington, DC. June 22, 1867 - Appointed Colonel by Brevet for "gallant conduct at the battle of the Wilderness, Virginia. To date from March 13, 1865." According to tradition, he had a stillborn twin brother. According to himself, he was 5'11", had a light complexion, light hair, and blue eyes. He was a student at Allegheny College at the start of the Civil War studying to become a minister. He enlisted with 100 other students and was unanimously elected the captain of the Company. After training them very quickly they fought throughout the war during which time he was seriously wounded several times. After he was wounded in the leg he was treated at Seminary General Hospital in Georgetown, DC. He got married during the last year of the war. After the war he again served in the army from 1865 through 1867 and was stationed in the West. Part of that time he served on the Bureau of Refugees, Freed men, and Abandoned Lands. In 1869 he was appointed to the Treasury Department. According to an obituary (source unknown), he was always given the most important and delicate investigations. He was stationed in Norfolk, VA around 1871-5 (listed in city directories from 1872-1875/6). His daughter Alice said that she was born there and some pictures of the family were printed there. However, his family spent much of the time living in Richmond and Ashland with his in-laws. Between 1886 and 1888 he was special agent in charge of San Francisco. After that he was made statistician for the Treasury Department for the tin-plate industry, under the operation of the McKinley law. Then he worked to establish the rate of "drawback" on merchandise exported from this country. From about 1888 until the time of his death he was stationed at the port of New York. In 1892 in President Benjamin Harrison's fourth annual message to Congress he mentioned Ira by name while referring to a report done by Ira on the tin industry. He said "The report of Ira Ayer, special agent of the Treasury Department, shows that..." In 1900 he was renting a house at 37 Cambridge Pl., Brooklyn, NY. His wife and all his children were living there except Ira, III and Alice. They were both married at the time. He had a servant living there name Lena Curtis. Because of his war injuries he received a pension from 1875 until his death. For more information on his accomplishments during the Civil War see the section on him.
  Died	3 Feb 1903	37 Cambridge Place, Brooklyn, New York
  Buried	6 Feb 1903	Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York
  	Lot 31286, Section 193. Tombstone erected by a veteran’s group in 2009. Inscription: Ira Ayer Jr Col 39 PA Inf Civil War 1836 1903 Wounded at Second Bull Run & The Wilderness
  Person ID	I442	Our Family
  Last Modified	4 Oct 2016

  
  

  Father	Ira Ayer, I,   b. 26 Dec 1802, Haverhill, Massachusetts ,   d. 28 Jul 1889, Evans Center, New York  (Age 86 years)
  Mother	Julia Mariah Wadsworth,   b. 27 Oct 1808, Massachusetts ,   d. 14 Aug 1861  (Age 52 years)
  Married	26 Dec 1828  [8]
  Family ID	F152	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Mary Jane 'Jennie' James,   b. Aug 1838, Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales ,   d. 25 Jan 1907, 37 Cambridge Place, Brooklyn, New York  (Age ~ 68 years)
  Married	21 Dec 1863	Corner of G and 14th Streets, Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church, Washington, District of Columbia   [9]
  Children	1. Jennie James Ayer,   b. 28 Aug 1864, New York ,   d. 20 Jan 1923  (Age 58 years)   2. Julia Fletcher Ayer,   b. 20 Oct 1866, Hanover County, Virginia ,   d. 1935  (Age 68 years)   3. Dr. Ira Ayer, III,   b. 6 Oct 1868, Ashland, Virginia ,   d. 9 Jul 1939, US Naval Hospital, San Diego, California  (Age 70 years)   4. Edith Lavinia 'Daisy' Ayer,   b. 26 Jul 1871, Norfolk, Virginia ,   d. 19 Sep 1957, 22 Seward St, Putnam, Connecticut  (Age 86 years)   5. Alice Wadsworth Ayer,   b. 28 Sep 1873, Norfolk, Virginia ,   d. 29 Apr 1966, Carlton Convalescence Home, Riverside, Connecticut  (Age 92 years)   6. Clementine Ayer,   b. 14 Aug 1875, Ashland, Virginia ,   d. Feb 1972, Ithaca, New York  (Age 96 years)
  Last Modified	18 Dec 2016
  Family ID	F154	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map		Born - 14 Jul 1836 - Evans Center, New York Census - 13 Sep 1850 - Evans, New York Education - Between Sep 1853 and Dec 1854 - Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania Military - Between 1855 and 1861 - New York Education - The school is the predecessor of Syracuse University. - 1859 - Lima, New York Education - Between 1860 and 1861 - Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania Census - 15 Aug 1860 - Evans, New York Milit-Beg - 14 Jun 1861 - Camp Wilkins, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Married - 21 Dec 1863 - Corner of G and 14th Streets, Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church, Washington, District of Columbia Milit-End - 11 Jun 1864 - Washington, District of Columbia Census - 18 Jul 1870 - Norfolk, Virginia Census - 5 Jun 1880 - Ashland, Virginia Census - 11 Jun 1880 - Baltimore, Maryland Census - 6 Jun 1900 - Brooklyn, New York Died - 3 Feb 1903 - 37 Cambridge Place, Brooklyn, New York Buried - 6 Feb 1903 - Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Ira Ayer, Jr.
  		Ira Ayer, Jr.
  		Ira Ayer, Jr.
  		Ira Ayer, Jr.
  		Ira Ayer, Jr.

  
  

  Headstones

  Ira Ayer, II Ira Ayer Jr Col 39 PA InfvCivil War 1836 1903 Wounded at Second Bull Run & The Wilderness

  
  

  Histories » Slide Show		Project Ayer Letters and documents from the Ayer and James families
  		Ayer Family Photo Album
  		Ayer vs. James Lawsuit to settle the estates of Jane Francis James and Clemens James: The Ayers were not suing the James family, just going to court to hold of the creditors until the estate could be disposed of properly.
  		Ira Ayer II Documents and newspaper clippings
  		Reminiscences from The Life of a Pioneer by Ira Ayer I
  		The James Family 1810 to 1900 by Bill Scholtz The story of the James family from their origin in Wales, through their moves to New Brunswick, Canada, Richmond, Virginia and Washington, DC during the Civil War, back to Virginia until the family scatters toward the end of the century.

  
  

• Sources

  [S59] Tradition (Reliability: 0). [S37] Bates, Samuel P., Martial Deeds (Reliability: 0). (pp. 818-821), [S24] Ayer, Ira II, 1900 US Census (Reliability: 0). [S41] Ayer, Ira I, 1850 US Census (Reliability: 0). [S43] Ayer, Ira I, 1860 US Census (Reliability: 0). [S64] Ayer, Ira II Obit, New York Times (Reliability: 0). [S233] Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn. [S30] Ayer, Ira I, Reminiscences, . (Reliability: 1). Ira Ayer was not sure about the date. [S67] Ayer-James, Marriage Certificate, . (Reliability: 1).