James Joseph Ayers
James Joseph Ayers | |
|---|---|
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| California State Printer | |
| In office January 10, 1883 – January 13, 1887 | |
| Appointed by | George Stoneman |
| Preceded by | John D. Young |
| Succeeded by | Philip A. Shuaff |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 27, 1830 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | November 12, 1897 (aged 67) Azusa, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery |
| Nationality | Scotland |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations | Non-Partisan (1878) Workingmen's (1879) |
| Spouse(s) | Mary O'Brien (m. 1855; died 1869)Charlotte Slater (m. 1884) |
| Occupation | Pioneer, printer, publisher, editor, politician |
| Known for | Co-founding the San Francisco Call and the Los Angeles Express |
| Nickname | "Colonel" |
James Joseph Ayers (August 27, 1830 – November 12, 1897) was a Scottish-American pioneer, newspaperman and politician who served one term as California State Printer from 1883 to 1887.[1] He co-founded several early newspapers in California, including the San Francisco Call and the Los Angeles Express.[2]

In 1878, he was elected a delegate to California's Second Constitutional Convention on a Non-Partisan ticket,[3] representing Los Angeles.[4] The next year, he was the Workingmen's Party nominee for Congress in the 4th district, coming in third place behind Democrat R. Wallace Leach and Republican Romualdo Pacheco.[5] In the 1882 California gubernatorial election, Ayers campaigned vigorously for Democratic candidate George Stoneman, who appointed him State Printer after his victory.[2]
References
- ^ Berry, Ken. "James Joseph Ayers". Media Museum of Northern California. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ a b "Pioneer gone". Los Angeles Herald. Los Angeles. November 13, 1897. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ "Later election returns". San Diego Union and Daily Bee. San Diego. June 22, 1878. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ Vivian, T. J.; Waldron, D. G. (1878). Biographical sketches of the delegates to the convention to frame a new constitution for the State of California, 1878. San Francisco: Francis & Valentine. p. 99.
- ^ "James J. Ayers". JoinCalifornia. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
External links
