Oliver Ames was an American manufacturer and politician. He was the founder of the firm Oliver Ames & Sons.
Background
Oliver Ames was born on April 11, 1779 in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, United States. He was descended from William Ames, an English colonist of Braintree, Massachussets (1638) and was the son of Captain John and Susannah (Howard) Ames. John Ames, blacksmith, Revolutionary captain and major, and manufacturer of rude guns and shovels for the patriot forces, was the first outstanding member of the family.
Education
Ames learned the primitive trade of shovel-maker, and later served an apprenticeship as a gun-maker under his older brother David, a foundryman commissioned by Washington as first superintendent of the Springfield armory.
Career
Ames took up his father's business on the latter's death, and moved the shop from Bridgewater, Massachusetts to North Easton, Massachusetts (1803). The embargo and War of 1812, removing foreign competition, gave the shovel factory an impetus. In 1814 Oliver established a plant to manufacture cotton goods and machinery, but it was soon destroyed by fire. Thereafter he gave his whole attention and inventive genius to the manufacture of shovels, which he made lighter and less durable than the heavy implement of the time, in the belief that iron and shovels were cheaper than muscle and more easily replaced. In 1823 he built branch shops at Braintree and in 1844 at Canton, Massachusetts. About this time he turned over his business, worth about $200, 000, reorganized as Oliver Ames & Sons, to his boys, Oakes and Oliver. Ames was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1828-1829 and again 1833-34, and served as state senator in 1845.
Achievements
Religion
Ames was an active Unitarian, and helped establish the Unitarian society in Easton.
Personality
Ames was a man of standing, fair to labor, which in turn served him loyally.
Connections
Ames was married to Susana Angier, the daughter of Oakes Angier, a prominent attorney of Bridgewater. Ames was the father of two daughters and six sons, of whom Oakes Ames and Oliver Ames gained distinction as industrial leaders and railroad builders.