Biographical Sketch of

George Ames

Transcribed by Char Eckman



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 420 - 421

George Ames, one of the prominent and influential young farmers of Mackford township, Green Lake County, residing on 
section 29, was born in Orford, N. H., on the 2d day of January, 1824, and in that community the days of his boyhood 
and youth were passed.  He received his education in the district schools of the neighborhood and on leaving the 
parental roof came to the West, where he believed he might sooner accumulate a competency.  He has never yet had 
occasion to regret the step he then took, for prosperity has attended his footsteps and he is numbered among the 
substantial farmers of the community.

The year 1849 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Ames in this county and in 1851 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Nancy 
Kelley, a native of Canada.  Their children are all yet living - Ella, wife of Albert Mather, of Brown County, S. D.; 
Jennie, wife of Joshua Carter, of Green Lake County; William H., who married Miss Clara Buzzell and makes his home in 
this county; George A., wedded Nettie Calder; Carrie is the wife of Joseph Freeman; and Eddie lives in this county.

Mr. Ames has spent almost his entire married life in Green Lake County.  With the hope of making a comfortable home 
for himself and family, he has labored earnestly and diligently, and his wishes have been fulfilled.  He is now the 
owner of a beautiful farm of 300 acres, whose well tilled fields, good buildings and neat and orderly surroundings 
plainly indicate the thrift and industry of the owner.  Diligence and enterprise are numbered among his chief 
characteristics, whether in regard to business transactions or public duties.  He is a loyal citizen, who takes an 
active interest in the upbuilding and progress of the community, or in anything which pertains to the public welfare.  
In politics he is a Republican.  He represents one of the honored pioneer families of the county, and it would be an 
injustice to his family as well as a matter of deep regret on the part of his friends if we did not append a sketch 
of his worthy parents.

Phineas Ames, his father, was born in New Hampshire in 1790 and there grew to maturity.  When he had obtained his 
majority, he led to the marriage altar Miss Hannah Leonard, of Orford, N. H., and eight children came to gladden 
the home by their presence.  The family circle remained unbroken until all had attained to mature years.  The record 
is as follows:  Elizabeth became the wife of G. A. Galloway and is living in Great Bend, Kansas; Phoebe married James 
Davenport and removed to Upper Canada, where her death occurred; Lucy A. is the wife of Benjamin Rogers, who came to 
Green Lake County in 1849; George is next in order of birth; Hannah, widow of Robert Currie, came to the West in 1849, 
but subsequently removed to Solomon City, Kan.; Rosella became the wife of Sampson Roberts, now deceased, and with 
her husband settled in Upper Canada; Mary is the wife of William Magrage, of Alto, Wis.; Edward, who completes the 
family, resides in this county.

In 1849 we find the Ames family en route for Wisconsin and at length they reached Green Lake County, where the husband 
and father located a claim on Section 29 in the town of Mackford.  He first purchased 120 acres, which was but partially 
improved, the buildings consisting only of a little log cabin, but ere his death, he had one of the finest farms in the 
county.  In early life he was a stanch supporter of the Whig party and a great admirer of Henry Clay and William Harrison,
but he afterwards joined the forces of the Republican party.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Ames were members of the Methodist Church 
and were earnest, consistent Christian people who did what they could to promote the Master's cause on earth.  They were 
among the first to unite with the Lake Marie congregation and died in full fellowship with that society.  Mr. Ames death 
occurring in 1878 in the eighty-eighth year of his age and his wife being called home in 1870, when seventy-five years 
of age.  Although their many friends will see them no more on earth, they will never be forgotten while time lasts, for 
their lives of uprightness and their many acts of kindness and charity endeared them to the hearts of all.






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