Oliver Ames, the first by that name, was the ancestor of the many members of the Ames family who have played a major role in the history of Easton, as well as Massachusetts and the United States. He was born in West Bridgewater, Mass., on April 11, 1779. Soon after his marriage to Susanna Angier in April, 1803, he moved to Easton and began the manufacture of shovels and hoes, which became Oliver Ames & Sons Shovel Works. The business was subsequently run by his sons Oakes and Oliver, Jr. He also served in the Massachusetts Legislature and Senate. Mr. Ames lived to the ripe old age of 84, dying in North Easton on September 11, 1863.