Ebenezer W. Ayers (b.February 26, 1849 d.November 7, 1931)

E.W.AYERS DIES SATURDAY AFTER SHORT ILLNESS
Former Merchant Had Been Confined To His Bed since November First
OUTSTANDING CITIZEN

Lived Life Of Usefulness For 83 Years. Name Ever Connected With Worthwhile Things.

After living a life of unusual usefulness for the past 83 years, a life filled with faith, love and charity. E.W. Ayers, one of Washington's best known and most highly esteemed citizens died at one o'clock today at his residence on North Market Street, after an illness of six days duration. 

In each community there are certain individuals who have so lived that their names are ever associated with all worth while things, and the name of E. W. Ayers will ever be remembered here in connection, with the First Methodist church of which he was a faithful member;  the love for his wife and children and his fellow man. His religion to him was a principle to be adhered to in each and every daily undertaking. It can truly, be said that a 'grand old man has passed unto his reward.

He was conscious during his entire illness and even the pastors of the city churches, who have ministered to him during the past week, holding periods of prayer each day, agree that his faith will ever be a benediction to them.

The deceased was born near Plymouth, N. C. in February, 1849, the son of the late David T. and Ada Evertt Ayers, the site of the old home place being used by Generals Hoke and Ran-om as their headquarters during the battle of Plymouth occurring during the Civil war.

He was active in the community life while a resident of Plymouth, becoming one of the leading citizens of that entire section serving as Sheriff of Washington county; chief of police and mayor of the town of Plymouth; and maintained there one of the leading mercantile establishments of the day which was established in 1869.

In 1870 he was married to Miss Everett,  of near Washington, N. C., who died within the year following Later, in August, of the year 1876 he was united in marriage to Jennette Baker Keith, of Plymouth, who father was a renowned surgeon actively taking part in the Civil a war. She too, preceded him in death,  in the year 1897. To this union were born all the children who survive him today.

Stopping- over in this city overnight in January, 1884, en route to Greensboro, N. C., to open a mercantile business there, Mr. Ayers was so favorably impressed with Washington that he decided to locate here, opening his first place of business in a small wooden structure located on the lot where the Harris Hardware Company's building stands today.

In the year 1890 the property just across the street was purchased and on it he erected the present brick building now standing, which was occupied by E. W. Ayers and Son1 from 1890 until the beginning of this year at which time the business was sold, and Mr. Ayers then retired from active business life, having been associated with the commercial interests of this town for the past 47 years. The store erected in 1890 was one of the first brick structures ever to be constructed here.

On November 15th, 1899, the deceased was married to Miss Louisa Ritch, of this city, and the devotion, manifested by this much  loved couple for the past 32 years has been an inspiration to all those who knew them. For the past eleven months, since Mr. Ayers retired from active business life, this happy couple have spent their entire time together interested in the things about their home.

No other  local citizen has been more closely associated with the civic and commercial life of this community than Mr. Ayers.  He served as chairman of the County' Board of Education for 22 years; served 40 years as a steward of the First Methodist church, and at the time of his death was one of the church  trustees. He was a Mason and also a member of the local order of Odd Fellows, and the last living original director of the Bank of Washington, having been notified of his appointment to fill this place in the year 1893, when the bank was established, being then in Jerusalem where he had gone for the purpose of making a tour of the Holy lands.

Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Louisa Ritch Ayers; three daughters: Mrs. John Arthur, Miss Will Clark, and Mrs. James Hackney;  two sons.  Fred Ayer and E. W. Ayers, Jr., of Raleigh. One sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Bell of Oklahoma and 14 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at three o'clock from the Methodist Church.

The Rev.  H. I. Glass. of the First Methodist  church, assisted by the Rev. J. H. McCracken will-officiate.

A complete list of the pallbearers were not arranged at press time but a partial list is as follows:

Active:—William Rumley. Millaws McKeel, Jr., Sam Mallison.,  J. T. Lew is, Frank Buckman and J. K. Hoyt.

Honorary—Entire Board of Stewards of First Methodist church, directors of the Bank of Washington.  Dr. D. T. Tayloe Sr.,  Dr. P. A. Nicholson, Dr. J. L. Nicholson, Dr. Claude McGowan, of Plymouth, A. M. Dumpy, Jesse B. Ross, George Leach, Hoyt  Moore, F. C. Kugler. W. B. Rodman, Jr., Howard Winfield, W. A. Blount, Sr.,  George Olds,  F. B. Justus, W. B. Harding, W. Z. Lackland, Wm.  Bragaw,  W. L. Vaughan, William Baugham, Henry Oden, J. M. Harrington.