Seeing him in the 1970s, you might think there goes a kindly grandfather. But don’t let appearances fool you. John Law Ayers was no one’s grandfather and was a formidable presence in Hernando County. He often controlled events that shaped our county’s future.
John Law Ayers was born on April 8, 1902, the ninth of ten children to David Ayers, Jr., age 46, and his wife Roberta, age 31. David Ayers Jr. migrated from Georgia in the 1870s, possibly seeking better opportunities, and married Roberta in 1888. They had ten children in seventeen years and settled into farm life, They found property six miles south of Brooksville near present-day Garden Grove and Masaryktown.
The ninth child, John Law Ayers, grew up in Brooksville schools, played basketball, and was a 1922 Hernando High graduate. In 1923, he was a corporal in Company M, 154th Infantry, of the Florida National Guard. A brief newspaper article of the day mentions his training abilities. He was an excellent marksman and machine gun sharpshooter. I believe real military service eluded him, though, as he was too young for WWI and possibly too old to be needed in WWII.
After high school, John Ayers became a rancher, taking on his father’s love of the land. He took an interest in cattle, horses, citrus and timber.
As a ranch owner, he was a jack of all trades, becoming his own repairman and veterinarian.
In 1930 Ayers bought a wild mare for $10 and began to breed native ponies, ones descended from Spanish horses of the 1500s. Shortly before his death, he donated twelve ponies to the State of Florida to preserve the breed. They were sent to places like Richloam, in the Withlacoochee State Forest, and to Paynes Prairie in Alachua County. Ayers became an expert at ranching and had one of the largest cattle herds and ranches. He owned over 3,000 acres.
At the age of 31 John Ayers took an interest in local government and ran for County Commissioner, where he served Hernando County residents from 1933-1953. He was in the commission chambers on that memorable day in 1947 when teachers and students marched around the courthouse square petitioning for better schools. His twenty-year tenure as commissioner is the longest in our county’s history. Ayers was also chairman of the County Commissioners for eighteen of those years.
Ayers was a longtime member of the Hernando Cattlemen’s Association for over 40 years. He was chairman of the Livestock Committee and a member of the Citrus Committee. In later years he donated funds towards a new livestock show barn to be constructed at the Hernando County Fairgrounds.
John Ayers was a member of the Brooksville Kiwanis, Egypt Temple Shrine, Shrine Ambassador of 1983, and a member of the Hernando Egg Producers. He served on the board of Hernando State Bank for 30 years. This bank was later renamed Sun Bank and today is known as Truist. He was on the board of Lykes Memorial Hospital, too. Ayers had a lifetime membership in the Florida Kiwanis Foundation and the Florida Sheriff’s Boys Ranch.
In 1956, Ayers ran for the Florida House of Representatives and served as State Representative for ten years, 1957-1966. He came into office during some important growth years for Hernando County. Weeki Wachee Springs (established in 1947) was bringing tourists to our sleepy community. Ayers was involved in the expansion of our rock mining industry and our road system. He was present for legislation regarding the construction of Hwy 50 and Hwy 98, both roads we now take for granted.
While in Tallahassee John Ayers formed a close friendship with Florida’s Senator James Connor, who held office from 1953-1965. They became a good working team, passing important legislation.
[State Archives of Florida]
One bill presented by Ayers and Connor involved the creation of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). This legislation came about due to the devastating floods of 1960, which affected more than a dozen Florida counties, including Hernando. My parents’ poultry farm in Masaryktown was under water and one of those areas affected by this freak force of nature.
Ayers and Connor also presented legislation for the construction of a new hospital in Brooksville. (Lykes Memorial). It was dedicated in 1962 and cost $500,000. At the time, it was a tremendous undertaking, and the facility served Hernando County residents well for the next thirty years.
In the early 1940s, Ayers was also instrumental in forming the Gulf Soil Conservation District. He served as their district supervisor for 40 years and took a keen interest in protecting our land and water resources. Ayers believed that man should be thankful for nature and practice good “stewardship of soil.”
John Ayers was a fixture everywhere in Brooksville. It’s said he often campaigned while riding on horseback. He showed up unannounced at hospitals to visit the sick. Was he sincere or drumming up votes? He was a consummate politician—riding in parades, kissing babies, crowning homecoming queens, and chaperoning seniors on Washington DC class trips.
In 1974, John Ayers married for the first time in his life; he was 72. For many years, he resided as a bachelor, living peacefully on the ranch with his mother, Roberta and other family members.
I took notice of the wedding because his bride was my former high school teacher, Martha Pekovsky (age 57). She had retired after 34 years of teaching to be a homemaker. We ex-students gossiped a bit and wondered what that marriage was all about. Now, in hindsight, I understand how two seemingly different people can connect and forge a bond regardless of age.
Together, Martha and John Ayers gave back generously. They established a scholarship fund for local students. Because of them more than 35 youngsters received a better education. In 1979 they also donated $25,000 towards the construction of a youth exhibit building at the Hernando County Fairgrounds to go alongside the livestock barn of 1976.
Hernando County honored John Ayers in later years and recognized his impact on our growing county. In 1977, the courthouse annex was renamed the John Law Ayers Building. In 1978, Ayers received the Citizenship Award from the Chamber of Commerce. In 1979, Governor Reuben Askew mentioned him while dedicating the North Campus of PHCC. Askew knew Ayers as a friend, a good man, and affectionately referred to him as “Uncle John.”
Sadly, Martha P. Ayers passed away in 1981 at the age of 63. John Ayers passed away four years later. He died while doing something he loved: ranching. The newspapers reported that he’d been out that day driving his farm truck checking on livestock and had gotten the vehicle stuck. Reports say he suffered a heart attack while walking back home.
He was still active and involved, even in his 80s. He was supposed to travel to Tallahassee that coming weekend with Alfred McKethan to see about an agricultural museum. Ayers passed away July 27, 1985, at the age of 83 and is buried in the Brooksville Cemetery.
Today, near his ranch, a stretch of pavement bears his name. Ayers Rd crosses the railroad tracks and runs several miles east of Hwy 41 in Masaryktown. It ends at the intersection of Culbreath Rd. There, the pavement changes names to Hayman Rd. and continues east towards Spring Lake. There’s also a 3.5-mile Ayers Rd extension west of Hwy 41. It takes you to the Avalon subdivision and beyond. You pass new apartments and meet County Line Rd near the Suncoast Pkwy. This road shows off the vast growth of Hernando County. I think John Law Ayers would look down on it and smile.
[State Archives of Florida]
