Background
Ayers, Rufus Adolphus was born on May 20, 1849 in in Bedford Company, Virginia, United States. Son of Maston Jackson and Susan Lewis (Wingfield) Ayers.
Ayers, Rufus Adolphus was born on May 20, 1849 in in Bedford Company, Virginia, United States. Son of Maston Jackson and Susan Lewis (Wingfield) Ayers.
Educated Goodson Academy, Bristol, Virginia, and by personal study. Joined C.S.A., April, 1864, and served with independent detached command in E. Tennessee, Western North Carolina and S.W. Virginia until war closed.
Engaged in farming, 1865-1866. In mercantile business, 1866-1871. Admitted to bar, 1872, and genaged in practice ever since.
Attorney for the commonwealth, Scott Company, Virginia, 1875-1879. Reading clerk House of Delegates, 1875-1879. Supervisor of census for 5th District of Virginia, 1880.
Attorney and director Virginia Coal & Iron corporation since 1880, and purchased for it large areas of coal land in Wise Company, Virginia. Organized, 1877, S. Atlantic & Ohio R.R., from Bristol, Virginia, to Wise Company coal fields, and remained with it until completion. Attorney-general of Virginia, 1885-1890.
Received public thanks by joint resolution of General Assembly of Virginia for maintaining immunity of State from suit in the United States Court and being imprisoned by order of federal court for violating its injunction, from which was discharged on habeas corpus by Supreme Court of the United States Court in opinion fully vindicating his course. President Big Stone Gap & Powell Valley Railway Company Ex-member Democratic Executive Committee of Virginia. Delegate and one of v.ps.
Democratic National Convention, 1884. Delegate to Constitutional Convention, 1901-1902. Address: Big Stone Gap, Wise Company, Virginia.
Member Dem.
Married Victoria Louisa Morison, of Estillville, Virginia, June 8, 1870.