The Biographical Dictionary of America/Ames, Nathan P.

AMES, Nathan P., manufacturer, was born at Westfield, Mass., in 1803. He was apprenticed to a cutler and became an expert forger of edged tools. He started business for himself in Chicopee Falls, Mass., where he opened a cutlery shop in 1829. The establishment soon became famous for its fine swords, and received large orders from the United States government. In 1834 the business was transferred to Cabotville, Mass., where the corporation of the Ames manufacturing company was organized, and among other important contracts the establishment furnished many of the swords and cannon used by the government in the civil war. Some of the prominent statues erected in New York, Washington, and Boston were cast by the Ames company. Mr. Ames went abroad in 1840, to make himself acquainted with the latest methods in European foundries. He died in Cabotville, Mass., April 23, 1847.