Background
He was the son of Charles Ames.
He was the son of Charles Ames.
He attended Champlain Academy and Keeseville Academy. Then he studied law with George A. Simmons, was admitted to the bar in 1847, and commenced practice in partnership with Simmons in Keeseville.
In 1860, he succeeded his father-in-law as Cashier of the Essex County Bank. In 1870, he became a director of the Keeseville and Montreal Railroad. In 1871, he became Cashier of the Keeseville Bank.
He entered politics as a Whig, and joined the Republican Party upon its foundation.
He was buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Keeseville.
He was a member of the New York State Senate (16th Doctorate) in 1872 and 1873, but missed most of both sessions due to ill health.