Oliver Ames, Jr.
| Oliver Ames, Jr. | |
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| Born |
November 5, 1807 Plymouth, Massachusetts |
| Died | March 9, 1877 (aged 69) North Easton, Massachusetts |
| Occupation | Businessman, railroad executive |
| Years active | 1844-1871 |
| Known for | Co-owner of Ames Shovel Shop President of Union Pacific Railroad |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah Lothrop |
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| Parent(s) |
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| Honors |
Oliver and Oakes Ames Monument, near Laramie, Wyoming Ames Free Library |
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Oliver Ames, Jr. (November 5, 1807 – March 9, 1877) was president of Union Pacific Railroad when the railroad met the Central Pacific Railroad in Utah for the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in North America.
Born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, he was a son of Oliver Ames, Sr. and Susannah (Angier) Ames, and a brother of Oakes Ames. Young Oliver attended public schools for a few years, then Franklin Academy in North Andover. He briefly entered the law field, but left to help in the family shovel business.
By 1844, Oliver and his brother Oakes Ames entered into partnership with their father, operating under the company name of Oliver Ames & Sons. It was a good time to be in the shovel business, as the nation was experiencing a dramatic expansion of canals, railroads, and other major infrastructure, all of which were built by men swinging shovels.
Oliver Ames, Jr., served as president of Union Pacific Railroad (UP) while the railroad was busy building the First Transcontinental Railroad in North America. He was its president pro tem from 1866 until 1868, and was formally elected president of the company on March 12, 1868. He continued as president until March 8, 1871. His tenure was marked by controversy since his 1866 ascent to the presidency was over Thomas C. Durant who had tried to gain the position for himself. Durant filed lawsuits against Ames that stopped construction, and Ames retaliated by garnering support to remove Durant from the railroad's executive committee. A divided board of directors was beyond Ames' management capabilities, and he finally acquiesced to readmitting Durant in 1867, and Crédit Mobilier awarded Ames a new construction contract. In 1873, Ames succeeded his brother as the head of Crédit Mobilier.
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