Cumberland County, Maine - Edwin Ayer
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Biography
Edwin Ayer
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 394-395


Edwin Ayer, superintendent of the paper-mills of S. D. Warren & Co. at Westbrook
from 1884 till the time of his death in 1892, was born in Cornish, Me., February
26, 1842. He was the son of Jacob and Abigail (Sargent) Ayer. Jacob Ayer, who
was a carpenter by trade, spent the latter part of his life in Westbrook in
business as a contractor and builder. He acquired a reputation for exactness and
thoroughness in all his work, and completed some important contracts, including
the old high-school house, the residence of L. W. Edwards, and the handsome
dwelling of John Cloudman. He died in 1864.

Edwin Ayer was three years old when his parents removed to Westbrook, and his
education was received in the common schools of this town. He learned to make
paper boxes, but never worked at that business, as he entered the employ of Day
& Lyons, paper manufacturers, on finishing his apprenticeship. The Day & Lyons
mills were situated at Cumberland Mills (Westbrook), and were the embryo; so to
speak, of the large mills now conducted under the name of S. D. Warren & Co. Mr.
Ayer was in the establishment many years, and obtained a thorough knowledge of
the different styles of paper-making and all the processes, from the beginning
to the finishing of the paper. When the office of superintendent was left vacant
by the death of William L. Longley, he was promoted to that position; and during
the time of his incumbency he held the entire confidence of his employers and
the esteem of all under his charge. During the summer of 1892 he traveled
extensively through England and Scotland on special business in the interest of
the Warren mills. He was universally esteemed in Westbrook; and his death, on
November 26, 1892, was the cause of general regret.

Mr. Ayer voted the Republican ticket, but never sought public office. He was a
prominent member of the Warren Phillips Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 186, of
Cumberland Mills, in which he had been through all the chairs and held the
degree of Master, belonging also to the Chapter; and he was Noble Grand of
Ammoncongin Lodge of Cumberland Mills, in which also he had been through all the
chairs. Mr. Ayer was a member of the Warren Congregational Church. He was
married in 1861 to Miss Maria E. Bacon, a native of South Windham.

One son lives to perpetuate his name, William E. Ayer. He was born in Westbrook,
Me., December 2, 1863, and received his education in the public schools of
Westbrook and the State Normal School at Gorham. He taught in the Westbrook
schools for about four years, and then was engaged as private secretary by Mr.
John E. Warren, agent for the mills of S. D. Warren & Co. Since 1892 he has been
purchasing agent for the company, buying all the wood for making pulp for the
Warren mills at Westbrook and the Forest Paper Company of Yarmouthville, Me. As
they use about thirty-five thousand cords of poplar wood annually, which they
get from different sections of Maine, Northern New Hampshire, and Canada, this
is a very responsible position. The Warren mills have a wide reputation for the
excellence of their products. The quality of their paper may be seen in the
Youth's Companion and the Century Magazine.

William E. Ayer was married in December, 1888, to Miss Louise Brown, daughter of
Freeman Brown, of Westbrook, and has one child, Florence E. He, too, votes the
Republican ticket. He takes an active interest in educational progress, and
served on the School Committee in 1890-91. Belonging to but one fraternal
organization, the Masons, he is highly esteemed by his brethren, and holds the
office of Past Master of Warren Phillips Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 186. Mr.
William E. Ayer is organist of the First Congregational Church of Westbrook.