George Bucher Ayres (1829-1905): Guardian of Lincoln’s Legacy George Bucher Ayres was an American photographer, historian, newspaper editor, author, and musical instructor whose dedication to preserving photographic history cemented his place as a pivotal figure in the late nineteenth century. Born in Elizabethtown, Illinois, in 1829, Ayres embarked on a multifaceted career that blended artistic pursuits with scholarly endeavors and civic responsibility. Early Life and Education Ayres received his formative education in the common schools of Elizabethtown and pursued further studies at Gar…