ROBERT JACOB AYERS⁵

1037 .ROBERT JACOB AYERS⁵ (Sarah Maria Read⁴, Samuel D. Read³, Samuel Read², Joseph Read¹) was born 11 August 1872 in Independence Township, Warren County, New Jersey and died 7 August 1960 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois (AFN:33T8-HK). In 1880, Robert lived with his parents, Jacob Cummins Ayers and Sarah Maria Read on their farm in Independence Township, Warren County and attended school (1880 United States Federal Census, Independence Township, Warren County, New Jersey, page 434D). After his mother died on 21 September 1885, Robert's father moved to Phelps County, Missouri. Jacob Ayers appears to have taken his three eldest sons west with him—Walter, Samuel and Robert—the five younger children stayed behind in New Jersey. Robert settled on the new farm in Missouri. His father soon remarried Margaret Elizabeth Mings on 14 March 1887. Robert may have lived with his father and step-mother. His father would have seven more children with Margaret. Robert eventually settled in Sangamon County, Illinois. He was married in that county on 30 August 1893 to Alice Burnetta Smith, the daughter of Arthur C. Smith and Christina M. Howard. She was born 30 October 1869 in Benton County, Arkansas and died 12 July 1934 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois (Illinois State Marriages, Volume 6, page 540; LDS AFN:33T8-CV; Wahl n.d.). Her parents were natives of Tennessee. In 1920, Robert and Alice lived in Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County. They owned their farm free and clear of all mortgages and liens. Their two eldest children, Goldie and Andrew were no longer living at home. However, their five younger children—Arthur, Roy, Elmer, Ray and Velma—were still living with them (1920 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 183, Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois, sheet 5B, 17 January 1920) . By 1930, Robert and Alice had left their farm in Cotton Hill and moved to te town of Edinburg in Buckhart Township, Christain County, Illinois. They lived in a house on Eatons Street. According to the census, they owned the house which was valued at $3,000. They did not own a radio. The census taker originally wrote that Robert was "retired" under occupation and then crossed that out and wrote "none." Only one of Robert and Alice's children lived with them in 1930, their 19 year old daughter Velma. They also had a boarder, 38 year old Blanche Kennedy, who worked in the public schools as a teacher (1930 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 5, Edinburg, Buckhart Township, Christian County, Illinois, sheet 4B, 6 April 1930). Robert's younger half-brother Jesse Ayers and his family lived on a farm in Christian County in 1930 (1930 United States Federal Census, South Fork Township, Christain County, Illinois, enumeratoin district 31).

CHILDREN OF ROBERT JACOB AYERS AND ALICE BURNETTA SMITH:

2657. (i.) GOLDIE ELIZABETH AYERS⁶, was born 24 June 1894 in Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois and died 5 March 1968 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois (Wahl n.d.). She did not live with her parents in 1920 (1920 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 183, Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois, sheet 5B, 17 January 1920).

2658. (ii.) ANDREW CUMMINS AYERS⁶, was born 17 November 1896 in Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois and died 23 May 1974 Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois (Wahl n.d.). He did not live with her parents in 1920 (1920 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 183, Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois, sheet 5B, 17 January 1920).

2025. (iii.) ARTHUR ROBERT AYERS⁶, was born 12 July 1899 in Cottton Hill Township, Sanagmon County, Illinois and died 27 July 1977 in , Auburn Township, Sangamon County, Illinois (Social Security Death Index, Wahl n.d.). In 1920, Arthur resided with his parents in Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois. No occupation is listed for him in the 1920 census (1920 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 183, Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois, sheet 5B, 17 January 1920). He married circa 1922, Margaret (Last Name Unknown). She was born circa 1898 in Illinois and died unknown. In 1930, the couple lived in Cotton Hill Township on a farm which they were renting. They owned a radio. Arthur was a farmer and Margaret was an instructor in the local school. According to the census, Arthur was not a veteran (1930 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 84-58, Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois, sheet 7B, 14 April 1930). The Social Security Death Index lists Arthur's death benefit payment location as Sangamon County, Illinois. Children of Arthur and Margaret Ayers:

2026. (iv.) ROY WILLIAMS AYERS, Sr.⁶, was born 17 July 1902 in Cottton Hill Township, Sanagmon County, Illinois and died 25 November 1970 in Springfield, Sangamon County (Wahl n.d.; Social Security Death Index). In 1920, Arthur resided with his parents in Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois. No occupation is listed for him in the 1920 census (1920 United States Federal Census, Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois, enumeration district no. 183, sheet 5B, 17 January 1920). He married circa 1922, Lena (Last Name Unknown. She was born circa 1901 in Illinois. The couple lived on a rented farm in 1930. Roy was a farmer and Lena kept house. The family lived in Cotton Hill Township in dwelling 140. Roy's brother Arthur lived in dwelling 137. Roy's family did not own a radio (1930 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 84-58, Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois, sheet 7B, 14 April 1930). Children of Roy and Lena Ayers:

2027. (v.) ELMER NELSON AYERS⁶, was born 14 November 1904 in Cottton Hill Township, Sanagmon County, Illinois and died 27 January 1922 in Cascade, Sangamon County, Illinois (Wahl n.d.). In 1920, he resided with his parents in Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois and attended school (1920 United States Federal Census, Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois, enumeration district no. 183, sheet 5B, 17 January 1920).

2028. (vi.) RAY AYERS⁶, was born 21 January 1908 in Cottton Hill Township, Sanagmon County, Illinois and died 21 September 1961 in Taylorsville, Sangamon County, Illinois (Social Security Death Index; Wahl n.d.). In 1920, Ray resided with his parents in Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois and attended school (1920 United States Federal Census, Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois, enumeration district no. 183, sheet 5B, 17 January 1920).

2029. (vii.) VELMA MAE AYERS⁶, was born circa 1911 in Cottton Hill Township, Sanagmon County, Illinois and died 26 November 1977 in Gillespie, Illinois. In 1920, Velma resided with her parents in Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois and attended school (1920 United States Federal Census, Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, Illinois, enumeration district no. 183, sheet 5B, 17 January 1920). She still lived with her parents in 1930. By 1930, the Ayers had moved into a house on Eatons Street in Edinburg, Christian County, Illinois. Velma was not employed (1930 United States Federal Census, Enumeration District 5, Edinburg, Buckhart Township, Christian County, Illinois, sheet 4B, 6 April 1930). Velma married on 22 March 1932, in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois, Percy Leroy Wahl, the son of Sylvester Wahl and Maude Alice Gibson. Percy was born 25 March 1904 in Springfield, Illinois and died 23 March 1981 in Carrollton, Illinois (Wahl n.d.). children of Velma Ayers and Percy Wahl:

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