E. F. SAYERS, one of Troy's most esteemed retired citizens, residing in his pleasant home at No. 318 Lincoln Avenue, is a member of one of the old pioneer families of Miami County. He was born September 23, 1831, in Elizabeth Township, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of Thomas Jefferson and a grandson of Thomas Sayers.

Grandfather Thomas Sayers was one of the pioneering Pennsylvanians who came to Staunton Township, Miami County, in 1807 taking up 160 acres of Government land. Until July, 1908, this land remained continuously in the possession of the Sayers family. Thomas Jefferson Sayers was born in October, I808. Both father and grandfather were men of local importance, serving as justices of the peace and taking an active part in the material development of this section.

E. F. Sayers has spent his entire life in Miami County with the exception of four years, from 1880 until 1884, when he resided in Lee County, Illinois. He attended the district schools and became a practical farmer on the homestead, continuing his agricultural activities until August 1893, when he moved to Troy. He has served occasionally in public office, for six years being a member of the Board of Infirmary Directors, but has never sought political honors. As a stockholder he is interested in several business enterprises and is one of the directors of the Troy National Bank.

In 1857 Mr. Sayers was married to Miss Caroline French, a native of Kosciusko County, Indiana, who died in 1878. Five children were born to that marriage, namely: Martha A., who married Horatio Klyne, of Troy; Carrie, who is now deceased; Altezera, who married Theodore Rodgers, of Miami County; Maggie, who married C. D. Free, of Spring Cr Township, Miami County; and Harry Lincoln, who is a resident of Miami County. In 1880 Mr. Sayers was married (second) to Miss Catherine Knight, of Champaign County, Ohio. Mr. Sayers is a leading member of the Baptist Church at Troy, being a member of the Board of Trustees and a deacon.