State Senator
Republican
District 45 Other Information
ASA L. AMES Senator from the Forty-fifth District, composed of the counties of Benton and Tama, was born in Buckingham township, Tama county, Iowa, July 2, 1859. His parents were natives of New York state moving from there to Wisconsin and from there to Tama county, Iowa, in 1854. His education was obtained in the country schools and in Grinnell College from which institution he graduated in 1882. His occupation is that of farmer and stockman. He was elected president of the Corn Belt Meat Producers Association at the time it was organized. He held this position for three years, resigning the same to accept the presidency of the Co-operative Live Stock Commission Company and to become general manager of the Chicago house of that company. He has held various school and township offices and has been a member of the council of the town of Traer, Iowa. Elected Senator in 1910. A Republican in politics.
Information from State Historical Society of Iowa resources
-------------------------
Traer Star Clipper, Friday, February 9th, 1934 page 1
A. L. Ames, 74, Dies Suddenly at Home of Daughter in Chicago
Former State Senator Suddenly Following Heart Attack Wednesday Night
A. L. Ames, 74 of Traer, former state senator, a native and resident of north Tama county practically all his life and one of Tama county’s most prominent citizens for half a century, died suddenly Wednesday night in Chicago at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Doris Shearer, with whom he had been visiting of late. Mr. Ames had been afflicted with heart trouble several months, although able to be up and active most of the time. Death was unexpected.
Funeral arrangements had not been made when the Star-Clipper went to press yesterday. It is probable the service will be in Traer Saturday or Sunday with burial in Buckingham cemetery.
Asa Lee Ames was born in Buckingham township on July 2, 1859. His parents, J. T. and Mrs. Mary Read Ames were both natives of New York state, moving to Wisconsin in an early day. After their marriage in Wisconsin, they came to north Tama county in 1854 being among the first settlers of Buckingham. The covered wagon in which they made the trip to Iowa is now the property of the state of Iowa in the state historical department building in Des Moines.
The son Asa was the oldest of seven children. He was reared in Buckingham township, attended the country schools there and later at Iowa college at Grinnell from which he graduated in 1882 when re returned to the farm. For many years, he operated a part of the big Ames homestead. His father at one time owned 1,200 acres of land in Buckingham township. Asa, as a young boy assisted his father in setting out the beautiful grove known as the Larches, one of the largest in the state of Iowa. At one time it covered seventy acres, sixty in one tract and ten in another. Two-year-old trees from Wisconsin were brought here, about twenty- five varieties including larches, white pine, Norway spruce, Norway and Scotch pine, birch, and walnut trees. The grove, besides being one of the most admired beauty spots of Tama county for several generations, furnished fuel for the Ames family for years and lumber for some of the buildings erected in later years.
John T. Ames stood near the head of the stock raising industry here in early days, and the son, Asa, who succeeded him, was a leading cattle and hog feeder for years. The latter was a natural leader and promotor and took a leading part in farmers’ organizations all his life. He was one of the organizers many years ago of the Corn Belt Meat Producers’ asso¬ciation, serving as its first president for three years, resigning to accept the presidency of the Cooperative Livestock Commission company, which he served for a time as general manager of the Chicago house. He took a keen interest in public affairs and in politics. After holding most of the township and school offices in Buckingham and in later years as mayor and councilman of Traer he was elected state senator in 1910 from the forty- fifth district comprising Tama and Benton counties, serving one term of four years. Mr. Ames while in the senate was the author of the first “good roads” bill. In 1916 he was defeated for the office of state railroad commissioner, in which he might have served with distinction. During the World war Mr. Ames at a great personal financial sacrifice accepted the Tama county chairmanship of the several Liberty loan drives and was a leader in all other home activities during the war. Probably no other Tama countian rendered more unselfish patriotic service to his country during the war with Germany.
He was married in 1882 to May M. Wilde, of Iowa Falls, who died in August 1892, leaving three daughters. On February 4, 1894 he married Harriet Ray, a classmate at Grinnell college. She died in January 1926. Mr. Ames ranked high in the Masonic fraternity and was one of the oldest members of Ripley Congregational church of Traer. His mother was one of the seven persons who met in the log cabin home of Christopher Hester near the site of Traer on June 22, 1856 to found the first church in north Tama county which several years later had a home of its own in the village of Old Buckingham, and was moved to Traer in the first year of the new town.
Mr. Ames is survived by his daughters, Mrs. Grace Keener, a teacher in Arizona; Mrs. Beth Herbert, Worthington, Minnesota and Mrs. David M. Shearer, Chicago; and one brother, John of Traer. Since the death of his wife Mr. Ames had spent several months of each year with the two younger daughters but returned to Traer frequently.
Of the seven children of the pioneer J. T. Ames family, four died in Early life. A brother Herbert, a mining engineer in California many years die in 1921.
Contributor: George (48419540) •
Republican
District 45 Other Information
ASA L. AMES Senator from the Forty-fifth District, composed of the counties of Benton and Tama, was born in Buckingham township, Tama county, Iowa, July 2, 1859. His parents were natives of New York state moving from there to Wisconsin and from there to Tama county, Iowa, in 1854. His education was obtained in the country schools and in Grinnell College from which institution he graduated in 1882. His occupation is that of farmer and stockman. He was elected president of the Corn Belt Meat Producers Association at the time it was organized. He held this position for three years, resigning the same to accept the presidency of the Co-operative Live Stock Commission Company and to become general manager of the Chicago house of that company. He has held various school and township offices and has been a member of the council of the town of Traer, Iowa. Elected Senator in 1910. A Republican in politics.
Information from State Historical Society of Iowa resources
-------------------------
Traer Star Clipper, Friday, February 9th, 1934 page 1
A. L. Ames, 74, Dies Suddenly at Home of Daughter in Chicago
Former State Senator Suddenly Following Heart Attack Wednesday Night
A. L. Ames, 74 of Traer, former state senator, a native and resident of north Tama county practically all his life and one of Tama county’s most prominent citizens for half a century, died suddenly Wednesday night in Chicago at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Doris Shearer, with whom he had been visiting of late. Mr. Ames had been afflicted with heart trouble several months, although able to be up and active most of the time. Death was unexpected.
Funeral arrangements had not been made when the Star-Clipper went to press yesterday. It is probable the service will be in Traer Saturday or Sunday with burial in Buckingham cemetery.
Asa Lee Ames was born in Buckingham township on July 2, 1859. His parents, J. T. and Mrs. Mary Read Ames were both natives of New York state, moving to Wisconsin in an early day. After their marriage in Wisconsin, they came to north Tama county in 1854 being among the first settlers of Buckingham. The covered wagon in which they made the trip to Iowa is now the property of the state of Iowa in the state historical department building in Des Moines.
The son Asa was the oldest of seven children. He was reared in Buckingham township, attended the country schools there and later at Iowa college at Grinnell from which he graduated in 1882 when re returned to the farm. For many years, he operated a part of the big Ames homestead. His father at one time owned 1,200 acres of land in Buckingham township. Asa, as a young boy assisted his father in setting out the beautiful grove known as the Larches, one of the largest in the state of Iowa. At one time it covered seventy acres, sixty in one tract and ten in another. Two-year-old trees from Wisconsin were brought here, about twenty- five varieties including larches, white pine, Norway spruce, Norway and Scotch pine, birch, and walnut trees. The grove, besides being one of the most admired beauty spots of Tama county for several generations, furnished fuel for the Ames family for years and lumber for some of the buildings erected in later years.
John T. Ames stood near the head of the stock raising industry here in early days, and the son, Asa, who succeeded him, was a leading cattle and hog feeder for years. The latter was a natural leader and promotor and took a leading part in farmers’ organizations all his life. He was one of the organizers many years ago of the Corn Belt Meat Producers’ asso¬ciation, serving as its first president for three years, resigning to accept the presidency of the Cooperative Livestock Commission company, which he served for a time as general manager of the Chicago house. He took a keen interest in public affairs and in politics. After holding most of the township and school offices in Buckingham and in later years as mayor and councilman of Traer he was elected state senator in 1910 from the forty- fifth district comprising Tama and Benton counties, serving one term of four years. Mr. Ames while in the senate was the author of the first “good roads” bill. In 1916 he was defeated for the office of state railroad commissioner, in which he might have served with distinction. During the World war Mr. Ames at a great personal financial sacrifice accepted the Tama county chairmanship of the several Liberty loan drives and was a leader in all other home activities during the war. Probably no other Tama countian rendered more unselfish patriotic service to his country during the war with Germany.
He was married in 1882 to May M. Wilde, of Iowa Falls, who died in August 1892, leaving three daughters. On February 4, 1894 he married Harriet Ray, a classmate at Grinnell college. She died in January 1926. Mr. Ames ranked high in the Masonic fraternity and was one of the oldest members of Ripley Congregational church of Traer. His mother was one of the seven persons who met in the log cabin home of Christopher Hester near the site of Traer on June 22, 1856 to found the first church in north Tama county which several years later had a home of its own in the village of Old Buckingham, and was moved to Traer in the first year of the new town.
Mr. Ames is survived by his daughters, Mrs. Grace Keener, a teacher in Arizona; Mrs. Beth Herbert, Worthington, Minnesota and Mrs. David M. Shearer, Chicago; and one brother, John of Traer. Since the death of his wife Mr. Ames had spent several months of each year with the two younger daughters but returned to Traer frequently.
Of the seven children of the pioneer J. T. Ames family, four died in Early life. A brother Herbert, a mining engineer in California many years die in 1921.
Contributor: George (48419540) •
State Senator
Republican
District 45 Other Information
ASA L. AMES Senator from the Forty-fifth District, composed of the counties of Benton and Tama, was born in Buckingham township, Tama county, Iowa, July 2, 1859. His parents were natives of New York state moving from there to Wisconsin and from there to Tama county, Iowa, in 1854. His education was obtained in the country schools and in Grinnell College from which institution he graduated in 1882. His occupation is that of farmer and stockman. He was elected president of the Corn Belt Meat Producers Association at the time it was organized. He held this position for three years, resigning the same to accept the presidency of the Co-operative Live Stock Commission Company and to become general manager of the Chicago house of that company. He has held various school and township offices and has been a member of the council of the town of Traer, Iowa. Elected Senator in 1910. A Republican in politics.
Information from State Historical Society of Iowa resources
-------------------------
Traer Star Clipper, Friday, February 9th, 1934 page 1
A. L. Ames, 74, Dies Suddenly at Home of Daughter in Chicago
Former State Senator Suddenly Following Heart Attack Wednesday Night
A. L. Ames, 74 of Traer, former state senator, a native and resident of north Tama county practically all his life and one of Tama county’s most prominent citizens for half a century, died suddenly Wednesday night in Chicago at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Doris Shearer, with whom he had been visiting of late. Mr. Ames had been afflicted with heart trouble several months, although able to be up and active most of the time. Death was unexpected.
Funeral arrangements had not been made when the Star-Clipper went to press yesterday. It is probable the service will be in Traer Saturday or Sunday with burial in Buckingham cemetery.
Asa Lee Ames was born in Buckingham township on July 2, 1859. His parents, J. T. and Mrs. Mary Read Ames were both natives of New York state, moving to Wisconsin in an early day. After their marriage in Wisconsin, they came to north Tama county in 1854 being among the first settlers of Buckingham. The covered wagon in which they made the trip to Iowa is now the property of the state of Iowa in the state historical department building in Des Moines.
The son Asa was the oldest of seven children. He was reared in Buckingham township, attended the country schools there and later at Iowa college at Grinnell from which he graduated in 1882 when re returned to the farm. For many years, he operated a part of the big Ames homestead. His father at one time owned 1,200 acres of land in Buckingham township. Asa, as a young boy assisted his father in setting out the beautiful grove known as the Larches, one of the largest in the state of Iowa. At one time it covered seventy acres, sixty in one tract and ten in another. Two-year-old trees from Wisconsin were brought here, about twenty- five varieties including larches, white pine, Norway spruce, Norway and Scotch pine, birch, and walnut trees. The grove, besides being one of the most admired beauty spots of Tama county for several generations, furnished fuel for the Ames family for years and lumber for some of the buildings erected in later years.
John T. Ames stood near the head of the stock raising industry here in early days, and the son, Asa, who succeeded him, was a leading cattle and hog feeder for years. The latter was a natural leader and promotor and took a leading part in farmers’ organizations all his life. He was one of the organizers many years ago of the Corn Belt Meat Producers’ asso¬ciation, serving as its first president for three years, resigning to accept the presidency of the Cooperative Livestock Commission company, which he served for a time as general manager of the Chicago house. He took a keen interest in public affairs and in politics. After holding most of the township and school offices in Buckingham and in later years as mayor and councilman of Traer he was elected state senator in 1910 from the forty- fifth district comprising Tama and Benton counties, serving one term of four years. Mr. Ames while in the senate was the author of the first “good roads” bill. In 1916 he was defeated for the office of state railroad commissioner, in which he might have served with distinction. During the World war Mr. Ames at a great personal financial sacrifice accepted the Tama county chairmanship of the several Liberty loan drives and was a leader in all other home activities during the war. Probably no other Tama countian rendered more unselfish patriotic service to his country during the war with Germany.
He was married in 1882 to May M. Wilde, of Iowa Falls, who died in August 1892, leaving three daughters. On February 4, 1894 he married Harriet Ray, a classmate at Grinnell college. She died in January 1926. Mr. Ames ranked high in the Masonic fraternity and was one of the oldest members of Ripley Congregational church of Traer. His mother was one of the seven persons who met in the log cabin home of Christopher Hester near the site of Traer on June 22, 1856 to found the first church in north Tama county which several years later had a home of its own in the village of Old Buckingham, and was moved to Traer in the first year of the new town.
Mr. Ames is survived by his daughters, Mrs. Grace Keener, a teacher in Arizona; Mrs. Beth Herbert, Worthington, Minnesota and Mrs. David M. Shearer, Chicago; and one brother, John of Traer. Since the death of his wife Mr. Ames had spent several months of each year with the two younger daughters but returned to Traer frequently.
Of the seven children of the pioneer J. T. Ames family, four died in Early life. A brother Herbert, a mining engineer in California many years die in 1921.
Contributor: George (48419540) •
Republican
District 45 Other Information
ASA L. AMES Senator from the Forty-fifth District, composed of the counties of Benton and Tama, was born in Buckingham township, Tama county, Iowa, July 2, 1859. His parents were natives of New York state moving from there to Wisconsin and from there to Tama county, Iowa, in 1854. His education was obtained in the country schools and in Grinnell College from which institution he graduated in 1882. His occupation is that of farmer and stockman. He was elected president of the Corn Belt Meat Producers Association at the time it was organized. He held this position for three years, resigning the same to accept the presidency of the Co-operative Live Stock Commission Company and to become general manager of the Chicago house of that company. He has held various school and township offices and has been a member of the council of the town of Traer, Iowa. Elected Senator in 1910. A Republican in politics.
Information from State Historical Society of Iowa resources
-------------------------
Traer Star Clipper, Friday, February 9th, 1934 page 1
A. L. Ames, 74, Dies Suddenly at Home of Daughter in Chicago
Former State Senator Suddenly Following Heart Attack Wednesday Night
A. L. Ames, 74 of Traer, former state senator, a native and resident of north Tama county practically all his life and one of Tama county’s most prominent citizens for half a century, died suddenly Wednesday night in Chicago at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Doris Shearer, with whom he had been visiting of late. Mr. Ames had been afflicted with heart trouble several months, although able to be up and active most of the time. Death was unexpected.
Funeral arrangements had not been made when the Star-Clipper went to press yesterday. It is probable the service will be in Traer Saturday or Sunday with burial in Buckingham cemetery.
Asa Lee Ames was born in Buckingham township on July 2, 1859. His parents, J. T. and Mrs. Mary Read Ames were both natives of New York state, moving to Wisconsin in an early day. After their marriage in Wisconsin, they came to north Tama county in 1854 being among the first settlers of Buckingham. The covered wagon in which they made the trip to Iowa is now the property of the state of Iowa in the state historical department building in Des Moines.
The son Asa was the oldest of seven children. He was reared in Buckingham township, attended the country schools there and later at Iowa college at Grinnell from which he graduated in 1882 when re returned to the farm. For many years, he operated a part of the big Ames homestead. His father at one time owned 1,200 acres of land in Buckingham township. Asa, as a young boy assisted his father in setting out the beautiful grove known as the Larches, one of the largest in the state of Iowa. At one time it covered seventy acres, sixty in one tract and ten in another. Two-year-old trees from Wisconsin were brought here, about twenty- five varieties including larches, white pine, Norway spruce, Norway and Scotch pine, birch, and walnut trees. The grove, besides being one of the most admired beauty spots of Tama county for several generations, furnished fuel for the Ames family for years and lumber for some of the buildings erected in later years.
John T. Ames stood near the head of the stock raising industry here in early days, and the son, Asa, who succeeded him, was a leading cattle and hog feeder for years. The latter was a natural leader and promotor and took a leading part in farmers’ organizations all his life. He was one of the organizers many years ago of the Corn Belt Meat Producers’ asso¬ciation, serving as its first president for three years, resigning to accept the presidency of the Cooperative Livestock Commission company, which he served for a time as general manager of the Chicago house. He took a keen interest in public affairs and in politics. After holding most of the township and school offices in Buckingham and in later years as mayor and councilman of Traer he was elected state senator in 1910 from the forty- fifth district comprising Tama and Benton counties, serving one term of four years. Mr. Ames while in the senate was the author of the first “good roads” bill. In 1916 he was defeated for the office of state railroad commissioner, in which he might have served with distinction. During the World war Mr. Ames at a great personal financial sacrifice accepted the Tama county chairmanship of the several Liberty loan drives and was a leader in all other home activities during the war. Probably no other Tama countian rendered more unselfish patriotic service to his country during the war with Germany.
He was married in 1882 to May M. Wilde, of Iowa Falls, who died in August 1892, leaving three daughters. On February 4, 1894 he married Harriet Ray, a classmate at Grinnell college. She died in January 1926. Mr. Ames ranked high in the Masonic fraternity and was one of the oldest members of Ripley Congregational church of Traer. His mother was one of the seven persons who met in the log cabin home of Christopher Hester near the site of Traer on June 22, 1856 to found the first church in north Tama county which several years later had a home of its own in the village of Old Buckingham, and was moved to Traer in the first year of the new town.
Mr. Ames is survived by his daughters, Mrs. Grace Keener, a teacher in Arizona; Mrs. Beth Herbert, Worthington, Minnesota and Mrs. David M. Shearer, Chicago; and one brother, John of Traer. Since the death of his wife Mr. Ames had spent several months of each year with the two younger daughters but returned to Traer frequently.
Of the seven children of the pioneer J. T. Ames family, four died in Early life. A brother Herbert, a mining engineer in California many years die in 1921.
Contributor: George (48419540) •
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Grave location from 1930s WPA Graves Registration Survey
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