Frederick Ayer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frederick Ayer
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| Born | December 8, 1822 Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
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| Died | March 14, 1918 (aged 95) Thomasville, Georgia, U.S.
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| Occupation | Businessman |
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| Relatives | Dr. James Cook Ayer (brother) George S. Patton (son-in-law) George S. Patton IV (grandson) Mark Gordon (great-grandson) Frederick Ayer Jr. (grandson) |
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Frederick Ayer (born December 8, 1822, died March 14, 1918) was an American businessman. He was the younger brother of Dr. James Cook Ayer, who was famous for his patent medicines. Frederick Ayer became well-known for his work in the textile industry.
Early Life of Frederick Ayer
Frederick Ayer was born on December 8, 1822. His birthplace was Ledyard, Connecticut. His parents were Frederick Ayer and Persis Herrick Cook Ayer.
Frederick also had a nephew named Frederick Fanning Ayer. This nephew, born in 1851, became a lawyer. He was also known for his charity work.
Frederick Ayer's Business Career
Frederick Ayer was involved in the patent medicine business. However, he is most famous for his work in making textiles. Textiles are fabrics like wool or cotton.
He first bought the Tremont and Suffolk mills. These mills were located in Lowell, Massachusetts. Later, he bought many more textile factories. These were in nearby Lawrence, Massachusetts.
In 1899, he brought all these factories together. He formed a big company called the American Woolen Company. Frederick Ayer was the very first president of this company. He also helped start other businesses, like the Arctic Coal Company.
Frederick Ayer's Family Life
Frederick Ayer was married twice. His first wife was Cornelia Wheaton. They married on December 15, 1858. Cornelia and Frederick had four children together:
- Ellen Wheaton Ayer (1859–1951)
- James Cook Ayer (1862–1939)
- Charles Fanning Ayer (1865–1956)
- Louise Raynor Ayer (1876–1955)
After Cornelia passed away, Frederick married Ellen Barrows Banning in 1884. They had three children:
- Beatrice Banning Ayer (1886–1953), who married George S. Patton. He later became a famous general in World War II.
- Frederick Ayer (1888–1969)
- Mary Katherine "Kay" Ayer (1890–1981)
Frederick Ayer died on March 14, 1918. He passed away in Thomasville, Georgia. He is buried in Lowell Cemetery. His former home in Lowell is now a Catholic school. It is called the Franco American School. Another home, the Frederick Ayer Mansion in Boston, Massachusetts, is a special historic place.
