James Cook Ayer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Cook Ayer
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| Born | May 5, 1818 Groton, Connecticut
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| Died | July 3, 1878 (aged 60) Winchendon, Massachusetts
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| Burial place | Lowell Cemetery |
| Occupation | Businessman |
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James Cook Ayer (May 5, 1818 – July 3, 1878) was a very successful businessman. He became the richest person in his time who sold special packaged medicines.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James Cook Ayer was born in Groton, Connecticut, on May 5, 1818. His parents were Frederick Ayer and Persis Herrick Cook. After his mother got married again, James and his brother Frederick Ayer moved to Lowell, Massachusetts. They lived there with their uncle, James Cook.
James went to Lowell High School in 1838. After school, he started working for James C. Robbins, a druggist in Lowell. A druggist is like a pharmacist who prepares and sells medicines. While working there, James studied medicine. Later, he graduated from the medical school at the University of Pennsylvania.
A Successful Business Career
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Even though he studied medicine, James Ayer never worked as a doctor. Instead, he focused on making and selling medicines. He was very good at this! Soon, he opened a factory in Lowell to make his special medicines. This factory became one of the biggest of its kind in the world. It was very well-equipped with the best tools. James Ayer earned a huge amount of money, about $20,000,000, which was a fortune back then.
A big reason for his success was his advertising. He spent a lot of money, about $140,000 each year, to tell people about his products. He also published an almanac every year. An almanac is a book published yearly with facts and information. He gave out 5,000,000 copies of his almanac each year! These almanacs were printed in many languages, including English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.
In 1874, he decided to try politics. He ran for the United States Congress as a Republican in Massachusetts. However, he did not win the election. Besides his medicine business, Dr. Ayer also worked in making textiles (fabrics) in Lowell, Massachusetts, with his brother.
Personal Life and Legacy
James Cook Ayer had a son named Frederick Fanning Ayer, who was born in 1851. Frederick became a lawyer and also gave a lot of money to good causes. He was involved with many companies.
James Cook Ayer passed away on July 3, 1878. He was buried at Lowell Cemetery.
A Lasting Legacy
The monument at James Ayer's grave is very famous. It is a life-size marble lion. A sculptor named Albert Bruce-Joy created this beautiful lion.
The town of Ayer, Mass., was named after him to honor his contributions.
Gallery
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Advert for Ayers Cherry Pectoral
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Advert for Ayers Ague Cure
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Advert for Ayers Pills
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Advert for Ayers Cathartic Pills
See Also
