Marshall Ayres

Marshall Ayres was an American pioneer, one of the founding pioneers of the Midwest, particularly around the Chicago, Illinois region.

Early years

Ayres was born in Truro, Massachusetts. He was the seventh child of nine born to father Jason Ayres and mother Betsey Holman who were married April 17, 1791. His father was a medical doctor.
Ayres married Hannah Ayers, who was native to Truro, Massachusetts. Ayres, was one of the pioneer residents of Griggsville, Illinois moving there in 1821.
Their son Marshall Ayres, Jr., a future oil industrialist, was born on February 20, 1839
The two families were successful business partners in Illinois with the Ayres & Lombard Bank & Store, and also a steamboat ferry called Prairie State.