Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Ames, Oakes, 1804-1873

Manufacturer; born in Easton, Mass., Jan. 10, 1804; received a public school education; entered his father's workshop and became thoroughly familiar with the manufacture of shovels and picks. Subsequently he became a member of the firm of Oliver Ames & Sons. During the gold excitement in California and in Australia this firm had an enormous trade with miners, and during the Civil War it furnished the government with extensive supplies of shovels and swords. When the Union Pacific Railroad was being built the firm held large contracts which afterwards were transferred to a corporation known as the Credit Mobilier of America, of which Oakes Ames became one of the largest stockholders. In 1862-73 he was a member of Congress from Massachusetts. His connection with the Credit Mobilier, including an allegation of having improperly given stock to several members of Congress, was investigated by a committee of the House of Representatives and he was censured by that body. He died in North Easton, Mass., May 8, 1873. See Credit Mobilier.