George V. Ayres (Term 1901 - 1902)

George V. Ayres (November 1, 1852 – May 29, 1939) was a prominent businessman, politician and freemason.  Born on November 1, 1852, Ayres was the fifth of seven siblings.  At age 17, he accepted a position as a clerk in Beatrice, Nebraska.  Seven years later, Ayres arrived in the Black Hills of Dakota and first settled in Custer City where he found employment at Harlow & Company and the Cheyenne & Black Hills Stage Company’s office.  Within the year, he accepted a position in Deadwood at Richard C. Lake’s hardware store.  In 1882, Ayres purchased an interest in the business and eventually became the sole owner in 1919.  In the political arena, Ayres was a member of the Deadwood city council from May 1900 to May 1902.  During his term, the council made him Mayor Pro Tem.  Ayres was elected Lawrence County Commissioner and South Dakota State Representative.  One of his accomplishments while in office was supporting the development of Lawrence County Highways.  On May 29, 1939 Ayres died and was buried in Section 9 Lot 1 of Deadwood’s Mount Moriah Cemetery.