W. B. AYERS, Athens; son of Joseph B. and Catharine (Hall) Ayers, who were among the early settlers of Menard Co., and have lived to see the change from a wild to a thickly settled country, and have been workers in all matters pertaining to the good of the community; the subject of this sketch was born in this county Sept. 29, 1842; he had good school advantages, and obtained a good English education; in 1858, he attended the North Sangamon Academy; during the late war, he served for a time with the 71st I.V.I.; after the war, he was, for a time, engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Clay Co., Ind. , after which he took charge of the home farm. He was married to Miss Mary Riner, of Mason Co., Feb. 6, 1868; she died June 8, 1879, leaving three children - Etta M., Lou and Fred. Mr. Ayes is now engaged in the business of a livery, sale and feed stable, at Athens, together with the superintending of his farm, which consists of 170 acres.