SAMUEL FREEMAN AYER
Milpitas Township
Bio- Sawyers
SURNAMES: EVANS, MITCHELL, OGIER, REED
One of the interesting and worthy pioneers who had
the welfare of Santa Clara County uppermost in his mind and hear was
the late Samuel freeman Ayer, who was born January 23, 1840, his
parents, James and Elizabeth Ayer, at that time being residents of
Sackville, New brunswick, Samuel Ayer learned the carriage maker trade
in Sackville and in May, 1860, he came to California by way of
Panama. He first located in the town of Santa Clara, working a
few months in the shop of John Dickson He then received an
advantageous offer from Abraham Weller of Milpitas, removing to that
place where hew as employed in Mr. Weller's shop until the spring of
1861, when he leased the shop and set up business on his own account.
He was married in 1862, his wife being Miss America E. Evans, the
accomplished daughter of Josiah Evans, one of
the pioneer of the state
and a gentleman widely known and respected. In 1863 Mr. Ayer gave
up his lease on the old shops and built new ones of his own, which he
conducted successfully until 1868. At this time he purchased a
tract of 150 acres situated a mile east of Milpitas toward the
foothills, and giving up his shops he engaged in agriculture.
In 1875 the supervisorial districts of Santa Clara County were
reorganized, a district being formed from the townships of Fremont, Alviso
and Milpitas.
An election for supervisor was held in 1876, and Mr. Ayer became a
candidate. The district was Democratic, but although Mr. Ayer was
a Republican he was elected. He efficiently discharged the duties
of his office and was reelected each time to succeed himself, exception
two years when he was not a candidate, remaining in office until his
death on June 5, 1899; his widow surviving until December 22,
1920. This worthy couple had a family of nine children, eight of
whom are living: Edith E of San Jose; Ethel C. of Oakland; Mrs. C H.
Mitchell of Oakland; Mrs. L. L. Ogier and Mrs. Frazer Reed, both of San
Jose; Joseph E. and Samuel E. of Sargent,
Cal; Henry M. of San Jose. As a public official Mr. Ayer
originated and carried to a successful termination some of the most
beneficial measures of the county government. As a farmer he was
always in the front rank of progress and as a citizen he was esteemed
and respected by all.
Transcribed by Carolyn Feroben, from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California, published by Historic Record Co. , 1922, page 867
Transcribers Note----------A high school in Milpitas was named for Mr
Ayer-----Samuel Ayer High School