Ayers, John G.

Notes:

(Note re: name confusion. James I. was John G.'s brother and was at various times, a blacksmith, painter and restaurant owner in Mancelona and well-regarded. I never found any newspaper apologies about the confusion between John G. and James I.)

Traverse Bay Progress of 5-25-1877

James I. Ayers, who lives somewhere in the neighborhood of Mancelona ... is now endevoring (sic) to rob three fatherless children - two of whom are girls - of a homestead left them by their deceased parent, J. H. Stoner. We have the best of reasons for believing that this umbrage is being committed partly out of ill will against the mother of the children who was appointed their guardian after their father's death and who has since marred Dr. Jno. Ayers, a brother of James Ayers...
Traverse Bay Progress of 6-11-1877
( extracted from a longer article)
... A large number of citizens met at 2 p.m., June 10th at the household of Florence and Mary Stoner, orphan children of J. H. Stoner, a deceased soldier, to take action in reference to the ... of said household by James I. Ayers ... The place is not abandoned ... Resolved that James I. Ayers be prosecuted for perjury...
Traverse Bay Progress of 6-25-1877

Quite recently a suit was brought against Dr. John Ayers, of Mancelona, a brother of James I. Ayers, for holding unlawful relations with a married woman. On the first examination the woman's child gave damaging testimony against the accused couple but as the witness could not swear to the exact date of the occurrence about which the testimony related, Justice Lewis practically cut off the further use of it by his ruling.

Ayers was then arrested at the instigation of his wife and the case brought before Justice Call of Custer, the accused woman having made affidavit in support of Mrs. Ayers complaint. On the day of the trial, however, Dr. Ayers took advantage of the law which prevents a wife from testifying against her husband without his consent, and cut off her testimony, which was known to be very positive and damaging, while the accused woman refused to testify on that ground that it would incriminate herself and thus the matter stand.

Traverse Bay Progress of 11-1-1877

People vs. J. G. K. Ayers and J. I. Ayers, assault with intent to kill. The latter discharged on noll. Pros. The former convicted of assault and battery and sentenced to pay a fine of $100, or be imprisoned in the county jail ... not to exceed three ;months. He is now in jail.

Traverse Bay Progresss of 11-23-1877

A story about J. G. Ayers being allowed to leave jail to work and being caught stealing.

John married Gilkison, Caroline Ann on 28 Sep 1869 in La Grange Co., IN, and was divorced on 10 Nov 1885 in Bellaire, Antrim Co., MI. Caroline (daughter of Gilkison, James M. and Coffinberry, Nancy) was born on 31 Oct 1824 in Mansfield, Richland, Ohio, USA; died on 10 Apr 1911 in Mancelona, Antrim, Michigan, USA; was buried on 13 Apr 1911 in Mancelona, Antrim, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]