Oakes Ames was born in Easton on January 10, 1804, the eldest son of Oliver and Susanna (Angier) Ames. Along with his brother, Oliver Ames, Jr., he ran the Oliver Ames & Sons shovel business from about 1844. He also served as a U. S. Congressman from Massachusetts, and was a warm friend of Abraham Lincoln. As a member of the Congressional committee on railroads, he became interested in a government project to build a trans-continental railroad. Under the encouragement of President Lincoln, Oakes Ames took control of the project and was responsible for the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad, assisted by his brother, Oliver, who acted as President of the railroad. A monument in memory of Oakes and Oliver Ames was erected by the Union Pacific Railway Company in Sherman, WY (the highest place reached by the railroad).
Oakes Ames married Eveline O. Gilmore, of Easton, on November 29, 1827. They had five children (Oakes Angier, Oliver, Frank Morton, Henry G., and Susan Eveline). He died on May 8, 1873.
The Oakes Ames Memorial Hall was built in his memory by his children.