Gov. Oliver Ames

in wikipedia

Oliver Ames (February 4, 1831 – October 22, 1895) was a U.S. political figure and financier. He was the 35th Governor of Massachusetts (1887–1890). He was the son of Oakes Ames (1804–1873), a United States Congressman who was censured in the Credit Mobilier scandal, and the nephew of Oliver Ames, Jr..

Biography

Ames was born in North Easton, Massachusetts. He was apprenticed in his father's shovel factory, and was later educated at Brown University. In 1863, he became a partner in Ames & Sons. For ten years, he superintended the mechanical business of the establishment, and on his father's death assumed control of his numerous financial trusts, including shares in the Union Pacific Railroad.

As his father's heir, Ames spent several years in paying off the obligations of millions of dollars incurred by the Union Pacific Railroad and other undertakings. He entered public life avowedly to vindicate his father's memory: he was lieutenant-governor of Massachusetts 1882-86, in 1883 obtained the vindicatory resolution he sought, and from 1886 to 1888 was governor.

Together with his brother Oakes Angier Ames, Oliver created many important buildings and landscapes in North Easton with architect H. H. Richardson and landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted.

Family

His son Oakes Ames (1874–1950) was a well-known American botanist and orchid expert.

Honors

Ames was elected an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity in 1917, by the fraternity's Alpha Chapter at the New England Conservatory in Boston. He is the only known honorary member known to be elected after his death.

The Easton, Massachusetts public high school is named Oliver Ames High School (OAHS).

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