Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts & Archives
User information
Biographical sketch
Scope and Content note
Cataloguing information
Processed by
Charles Latham
7 March 1994
VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 2 folders
COLLECTION DATES: Inclusive 1872-1922; bulk 1896
PROVENANCE: Mrs. Philip W. Flynn, Nordland WA, 16 February 1994
RESRICTIONS: None
REPRODUCTION RIGHTS: Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society
ALTERNATE FORMATS: None
OTHER FINDING AIDS: None
RELATED HOLDINGS: M 616, L. S. Ayres Co. Records
ACCESSION NUMBER: 94.0481
Lyman S. Ayres (1824-1896) was born on a farm near Oswego, New York. He left home early, and began his business career in northeastern Ohio as a peddler, carrying his pack of goods on his back. After five years he had accumulated enough capital to buy into a general store in Chardon, Geauga County, Ohio. In 1864 he moved to Geneva, New York, and was a partner in the merchandising firm of Ayres and Thomas. In 1872 he purchased controlling interest in the Trade Palace in Indianapolis, a dry and fancy goods establishment operated by N. R. Smith at 26-28 West Washington Street.
For two years Ayres remained in Geneva, and served as senior partner and New York resident buyer for the store. In 1874 he assumed full ownership of the Trade Palace, and in the following year relocated to Indianapolis. He moved the store across the street to a three-storied structure at 33-37 West Washington Street. The operation continued to be a seller of "dry and fancy goods." The addition of modern shopping conveniences such as gas lighting in 1876 and an elevator in 1890 increased the store's reputation.
Ayres married Helen Murray, and had three children, Frederick M. (who continued and developed the company under the incorporated name of L. S. Ayres and Company), Emma Ayres Wheelock, and Katherine Ayres Williams Smitheram.
This collection, filling two folders, contains letters of condolence from 1896, and two clippings, one from 1872 and one from 1907. The letters of condolence are from business associates rather than personal friends, and give an idea of where the early Ayres store bought some of its merchandise.
MAIN ENTRY: Ayres, Lyman S., 1824-1896
SUBJECT ENTRIES: Ayres, Lyman S., 1824-1896
Trade Palace (Indianapolis, Ind.)
L.S. Ayres Co. (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Department stores--Indiana--Indianapolis
Mourning customs--Indiana--Indianapolis
END