The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-10-23
OLIVER AMEs DEAD.
w.s Twice Governor of the Bay State-A
Brilliant Financier-of strictest Integri-
ty-Greatly Beloved.

North Easton, Mass, October Eek
Coy Oliver Ames died at his home in
this village this morning at ala For
the last five years his health had been
gradually failing and for the past three
wears he had had medical attendant al
most continually at his side. A trip to
Throne and upon his return, visit to
Poland Spring two years ago, failed to
give relief. Since then he had gone
south with the intention of remaining
a few months. if it should prove bene-
fetal, but his stay was short. His fami-
" has peen at the home mansion the
greater portion of the summer and his
wifej and sons and daughters were with
him when he passed quietly away. Mr..
Ames leaves widow, two sons and four
daughters.
Oliver Ames passed his boyhood amid
scenes of active industry. A few years
at school were followed at the age Of Is
by five years faithful apprenticeship to
his father. Then he pursued course
of special study at Brown University,
after which he returned to the manu-
factory of Oliver, 'Ames & Sons at North
At his fathers death in 1878 the numer-
Gus financial trusts held by him deyolved
upon the son and he became directly
concerned in financial capacity with
various corporations, banks and institu-
tions with which his father held none
tary relations. 1t is, perhaps, as finan-
oier. that Oliver Ames won his widest
reputation. The Cakes Ames estate was
at the time no took upon his shoulders
it's settlements, not only one in which
immense and diversified interests We're
involved, scattered throughout the differ
emf states in the Union, but it was burd-
eaed with obligations to the extent of
eight millions of dollars. He rescued
the property from peril, met and paid
million Of dollars or more OF legacies,
and had still q large surplus to divide
In 1880 Mr.. Ames was elected TO the
state senate, and reelected in 1881. This
was the first public Office which he had
ever held, Awith the exception of that OF
member of the school board of Easton.
In 1882 he received the Republican NOM
ination for lieutenant governor upon the
ticket headed by the name of Hon. r. Z.
In that tidal wave year Mr.. Bishop
was defeated by Gen. Butler, but Mr..
Ames was elected by han dsome plurali-
ty. He was Gre-elected in 1888, and again
in 1884, and still again in 1886, Hon.
G. d. Robinson being Governor, in those
In 1855. upon the retirement of Gov.
Robinson, Lieut.. Gov. Ames was advanced
to the highest office in the gift of the
Commonwealth and was re elected in
1887. His political, like his business
life, was characterized by straightfor,
ward honesty of purpose, sbyi the strictest
integrity. and by an energetic, able and
faithful performance of trusts accepted.
In his native town he was unusually re-
speoted and beloved and with the work
ingmen in his factories he enjoyed an
unbounded popularity. The custodian OF
great wealth, he used it in spirit OF
wise benevolence and his public and pri-
yate benefactions, while large, were made
without ostentation.
Gov. Greenhalge this morning tele.
graphed letter of coincidence to Mrs.
Ames.