Oliver Ames, Jr., was born in Plymouth, Mass., on November 5, 1807, the third son of Oliver and Susanna (Angier) Ames. Along with his brother, Oakes, he ran the Oliver Ames & Sons shovel business from about 1844. He also served as president of the Union Pacific Railroad from 1866 to 1871. 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). He also served as a State Senator. Mr. Ames was a very public-spirited individual, and in his will he provided for the creation of The Ames Free Library, which still serves as the public library of Easton.
Oliver Ames married Sarah Lothrop, of Easton, on June 12, 1833. They had two children (Frederick Lothrop and Helen Angier). Mr. Ames died on March 9, 1877.