Surnames: AYER LAMPSHIRE CAMMERS WISNOSKY SCHJONEMAN LONEY

----Source: LOYAL TRIBUNE (Loyal, Clark County, Wis.) 10 Oct 1912

Ayer, Cullen (2 MAR 1841 - 30 Sep 1912)

On Wednesday morning, Sept. 30, 1912, at 4:30 a.m. Cullen Ayer passed away at his home in the town of Unity, Clark County, Wis. He was born March 2, 1841, at Embden, Somerset Co., Maine, being 71 years, 6 months and 28 days old.

At the age of five years he immigrated with his parents to Mineral Point, Wis., where he grew to manhood. About the year 1858 he came to La Cross and entered into the lumbering interests on Black River, which he followed for about ten years, when he went into partnership with W. W. Crosby, logging on the East fork and main Black River. In the year 1870 they formed the company of Crosby, Brawn & Ayer and bought a large tract of pin on Popple River and its tributaries of which he superintended the cutting and driving the logs out of the river. About three years later Mr. Crosby and Mr. Ayer bought Mr. Brawn's interest and one year later, 1874, Cullen Ayer sold his interest to Mr. Crosby, taking as part payment the large farm in the town of Unity, where he resided until his death, also taking the logging outfit and a large farm in Trempealeau Co., and contracting to cut and drive logs for W. W. Crosby. About the year 1890 he retired from logging and turned his attention to improving his farm in the town of Unity, stumping it and improving it by erecting fine buildings.

He was taken sick about ten years ago with stomach trouble and gradually declined until he passed away. The first six years he was about and superintended the work on the farm. The last four years he was confined to the house, going out very little. The last four months he was confined to his bed, requiring constant care.

About four o'clock Sunday afternoon he was taken with choking spells, which was followed by a peaceful sleep until the next morning when the end came.

He was a man that was highly respected, not only in the community where he resided, but with all who made his acquaintance. In this community, where Mr. Ayer has lived so song, his death is felt as a great loss, as he was in every way an upright and honorable man. His business life was characterized by honesty and integrity. He was a man of independent opinions and firm in his judgement. He was highly esteemed by his fellow townsmen, which was evidenced by their calling him to positions of trust, such as chairman of the town for seventeen years, treasurer of the school district for twenty years, besides numerous other offices.

He was married Aug. 8, 1864, to Miss Mary J. Lampshire of Mineral Point, Wis. To this union was born eight sons and four daughters. One son died Aug. 8, 1881, at the age of seven years. He was a kind husband and a loving father.

Those left to mourn are his wife, seven sons and four daughters, Edgar, Cullen, William, Leonard, Owen and Walter of the town of Unity; Jonas of Spencer, Mrs. Wm. J. Cammers and Mrs. Arthur Wisnosky of Unity, Mrs. M. L. Schjoneman of Spencer and Mrs. Truman F. Loney of Buffalo Springs, N.D. All were present at the funeral, which was held at the M. E. Church at Unity Wednesday, Oct 2nd, at 1:00 p.m., Rev. D. S. Householder officiating. The remains were laid to rest beside his son Frankie in the Unity Cemetery.

Those from away who attended the last sad rites were Mrs. Parley stoner, Mr. Peter Thomas, and Mrs. Walter Burchard of Galesville, Mr. Henry Leuth of La Crosse, Mr. and Mrs. Andrews of Colby and Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Crosby of Rhinelander.

The honorary pallbearers were Max Haslett, Frank Nutting, Wm. Welsh, Loyal, and S. H. Pickett, Unity. The active pallbearers were Wm. Domer, Aug. Lemke, W. S. Irvine, Charles Duvall, Fred Cook and J. W. Salter.