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Oliver Ames (February 4, 1831 – October 22, 1895) was an American businessman, financier and politician from Massachusetts. He was the son of Oakes Ames (1804–1873), a railroad baron behind the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) who was notably censured in the Credit Mobilier scandal for actions taken while a United States Congressman. Ames was executor of his father's estate, and took over many of his business interests. A Republican, he served as the 35th Governor of Massachusetts (1887–1890). He was a major philanthropist, especially in his hometown of Easton, which is graced by a number of architecturally significant works by H.H. Richardson as a result of his influence.
Oliver Ames (governor) - Wikipedia
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Hey TSgt Joe C., you are in my backyard now my brother... I lived in the Town of Easton for a fairly long time with my family... It is a wonderful community with ponds and parks and the famous Shovel Shop Square... An historical manufacturing area... I lived a stone's throw from the downtown area back in the day...
Wikileaks describes this area as follows: "The Ames Shovel Company traces its origins to 1774 when Capt. John Ames began making iron shovels at West Bridgewater, Massachusetts. His son Oliver Ames, Sr. moved the company to North Easton in 1803. In 1844, the elder Ames would transfer the shovel business to two of his sons, Oakes and Oliver, Jr., and the company would become known as Oliver Ames & Sons. Within the next few years, gold would be discovered in California in 1848, and in Australia in 1851, creating a worldwide demand for the company's shovels, which were already known for their high quality.
In 1851, the original shovel shop was destroyed by fire. The company would soon rebuild, and by 1852 the first of the new shops had been completed. Strong demand for shovels would continue through this period with the great expansion of railroads and later the American Civil War. Abraham Lincoln personally asked Oakes Ames to supply shovels to the Union Army. This made the Ames brothers very wealthy men. The Ames brothers entered politics and became influential in financing the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad, as well as the development of the village of North Easton. Expansion of the shovel factory continued over the years until 1928.
Ames shovels became standard issue for troops in the U.S. Army for every conflict from the American Civil War to Korea. The Ames Shovel Company ceased production in Easton in 1952.
Thank you again, Joe, for touching a Massachusetts town so dear to my heart during my young adult years... Great Post...
Wikileaks describes this area as follows: "The Ames Shovel Company traces its origins to 1774 when Capt. John Ames began making iron shovels at West Bridgewater, Massachusetts. His son Oliver Ames, Sr. moved the company to North Easton in 1803. In 1844, the elder Ames would transfer the shovel business to two of his sons, Oakes and Oliver, Jr., and the company would become known as Oliver Ames & Sons. Within the next few years, gold would be discovered in California in 1848, and in Australia in 1851, creating a worldwide demand for the company's shovels, which were already known for their high quality.
In 1851, the original shovel shop was destroyed by fire. The company would soon rebuild, and by 1852 the first of the new shops had been completed. Strong demand for shovels would continue through this period with the great expansion of railroads and later the American Civil War. Abraham Lincoln personally asked Oakes Ames to supply shovels to the Union Army. This made the Ames brothers very wealthy men. The Ames brothers entered politics and became influential in financing the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad, as well as the development of the village of North Easton. Expansion of the shovel factory continued over the years until 1928.
Ames shovels became standard issue for troops in the U.S. Army for every conflict from the American Civil War to Korea. The Ames Shovel Company ceased production in Easton in 1952.
Thank you again, Joe, for touching a Massachusetts town so dear to my heart during my young adult years... Great Post...
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SCPO Morris Ramsey SFC William Farrell SPC Mark Huddleston SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth LTC John Shaw SGT Jim Arnold Susan Foster (Join to see) CPT Scott Sharon Sgt Albert Castro SSgt (Join to see) CWO3 Dennis M. SGT Gregory Lawritson SPC Margaret Higgins PO1 H Gene Lawrence SSG William Jones Cynthia Croft Sgt Deborah Cornatzer PO1 William "Chip" Nagel PVT Mark Zehner
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