AYSON, ALEXANDER (1814-95) was born at Glenshee, Perthshire. As a youth he joined the Gordon Highlanders and received his education in the regimental school. When his father bought him out of the army he entered the Normal school in Edinburgh, working in his spare time to make money for fees. Qualifying as a teacher either in English or in Gaelic, he became master of an English school at Lossiemouth. On the disruption he took the side of the Free Church and was appointed to its school at Urquhart. He was selected in 1856 as one of the first school teachers for the Otago colony and, being appointed to Tokomairiro school, he remained there 10 years. He then farmed at Warepa. When some of the family were able to earn a living he rejoined the teaching service, taking charge of the school at Tuturau (1871). In 1873 he went to Waihola Gorge and in 1879 to Southbridge, where he remained till his retirement (1883). He died on 7 Oct 1895.

Ayson (p); Scholefield, Tokomairiro H.S., 1856-1981 (p); Otago Daily Times, 9 Oct 1895.

Reference: Volume 1, page 30

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