The New International Encyclopædia/Ames, Oakes

AMES, Oakes (1804-1873). An American manufacturer and legislator. He was born at Easton, Mass., and at an early age entered his father's workshop, where he soon familiarized himself with every detail of the shovel business, which, upon the discovery of gold in California and the impetus thereby given to railroad building, soon became a most important industry. In 1864, after others had failed, he was called upon by President Lincoln and others to build the Union Pacific Railroad, which great undertaking he successfully completed on May 10, 1869. He had invested .$1,000,000 in the enterprise, and had pledged the remainder of his fortune for the same purpose. He was censured by the Forty-second Congress for participation in the Credit Mobilier scheme, but afterward was vindicated in a resolution passed by the Massachusetts Legislature (May 10, 1883). From 1862 to 1873 he was a member of Congress from the second Massachusetts district. His will contained a bequest of $50,000 to children of North Easton, Mass. A fine monument in his memory was erected by the Union Pacific Railroad at Sherman, Wyoming, 8550 feet above the sea level—the highest point reached by the railroad.