Ayers, William David (1869-1929) (2 of 3)
/John Quincy Reed’s Portrait Photograph of william david ayers
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
EJOHN QUINCY REED was born in 1841 in Abington, Massachusetts and died in 1902 in Petaluma. He worked as a photographer in Petaluma for over 25 years, moving his studio within the community to several different locations. He arrived into Petaluma from Stockton in 1870 and continued to work as a photographer in Petaluma until at least 1898. Many of his portraits of Petaluma’s citizens are of exceptionally fine quality. (For additional information on this photographer and to view all portraits by him in the collection, click on his name in blue above.)
THE SITTER:
Names: William David Ayers
Description:
Biographical Note: William David Ayers was born at his family’s ranch in Stony Point and at age eleven they moved to Petaluma. For many years he worked at the Petaluma branch of the Wells Fargo Company and earned additional income by investing in Petaluma real estate. Although William was living in San Francisco at the time of his death, he was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park.
Family Affiliation: William David Ayers was the youngest child of early Petaluma pioneers William Ayers (1829-1899) and Martha Wade Ayers (1829 or 30 - 1890). In 1892, William married Ada Mae Carlisle Ayers (1875-1931). Together, they had at least three children: William D. Ayers III, Mervyn W. Ayers, and Harry W. Ayers. There are numerous additional portraits of the Ayers family members on this website. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125529520/william_david_ayers.
Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, Jan. 4, 1929, p. 8.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 16 x 20cm
Medium: Gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front:
Description, back:
Date:
Condition: Both sides of this cabinet card are slightly soiled.
Owner: The Cyndi Logan Collection, digital copy by permission.
Reproduction rights: The Petaluma Museum Association makes no assertions as to ownership of any original copyrights to the digitized images here reproduced. These images are intended for personal or research use only. Any other kind of use, including, but not limited to commercial or scholarly publication in any medium or format, public exhibition, or use online or in a web site, may be subject to additional restrictions including but not limited to the copyrights held by parties other than the Association. USERS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for determining the existence of such rights and for obtaining any permissions and/or paying associated fees necessary for the proposed use.