Colusa County Biographies

Leonard B. Ayer

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


            Leonard B. Ayer is a native of Arlington, Massachusetts, where he 
was born March 30, 1835.  His education was obtained in the common schools of 
his native place.  At an early age he entered a merchandise establishment, and 
became an efficient salesman and accountant.  In 1856, after having engaged in 
business for himself, he was obliged to seek rural recreation for his health, 
which had almost broken down under close application to business.  Hence he 
wended his way westward to the prairies of Illinois, where he engaged in farming 
near Weatherfield.  Three years later, his health having been restored by the 
hearty exercise of farm life, the plain living of those days, and the fresh, 
bracing air of that climate, he started across the plains, with four companions, 
for California, arriving at Marysville in October, 1859.  He engaged in 
merchandising in Marysville until 1862, when he purchased an interest in the 
Marysville �Appeal,� becoming its business manager.  In April, 1865, without 
solicitation on his part, he was appointed Register of the United States Land 
Office at that place, which position he held until the fall of 1875.  Upon 
retiring from his official position, he engaged in the practice of land law, and 
in 1880 came to Colusa County to engage in farming in Antelope Valley.  In 1888 
he sold his farm and moved to Maxwell.  He is interested in the development of 
Colusa County, and is engaged in superintending the planting and cultivation of 
a large orchard near the railroad station of Delevan.  One hundred and sixty 
acres of fruit-trees and vines have already been planted, and it is proposed to 
plant four hundred and eight acres in addition thereunto.  Mr. Ayer is a 
prominent Republican and takes a leading interest in local and national 
politics.  He is a pleasant, far-seeing gentleman, well posted on the topics of 
the day.
 
�Colusa County� � by Justus H. Rogers � Orland, CA � 1891 � pp 449-450