San
Francisco County
Biographies
EDWIN E.
AMES
The triumphs of peace were forcibly illustrated
when, at the close of the late civil war, over 1,000,000 soldiers who had left
their happy homes and endured the privation incident to military life for four
years stacked their arms at Appomattox Court House and resumed their former
occupation in office, factories, or at their farms. The subject of this sketch
was a notable example of the American citizen and soldier, whose patriotism
called him to the field of battle, and after gaining high honors and a
responsible military position, tendered his resignation for the more congenial
occupation in commercial pursuits. He was born in Hillsdale county,
Michigan, December 2, 1839. His father was a pioneer in “the West,” and he was
given the best advantages for a thorough education that the common schools
afforded, and finished in the Northern Indiana seminary. He commenced his
career as a salesman in a leading store in Northern Indiana on Saturdays, when
there was no school. His tact, aptitude and ability were soon recognized, and
he quickly became one of the permament (sic) force. At 18 years of age he was employed in the County
Auditor’s office, and at the age of 20 years was Chief Deputy Auditor of St.
Joseph county, Indiana. Soon after becoming of age he
was elected clerk of the city of South Bend, Indiana, which office he held in
connection with that of Deputy County Treasurer of St. Joseph county. About this time the Studebaker Bros. Manfacturing (sic) Co. offered him a position as cashier of
their great works at South Bend, Indiana, which offer was reluctantly declined,
as the “war fever” was raging, and the Hon. Schuyler Colfax, speaker of the
House of Representatives of the United States, had telegraphed him to come to
Washington to receive a clerkship for a paymaster in the army, who was assigned
to duty in the “field.”
After a few months’ service he was
called to the office of the Paymaster-General, of the United States Army, and
given the responsible position as assistant to the chief clerk of the Paymaster-General’s
Bureau of the War Department. His duties required intelligent and arduous labor
in protecting the Government against fraudulent claims, and at the same time to
cut red tape when necessary for our wounded soldiers and officers. His
rectitude, tact and good judgment in fulfilling this delicate position gained
for him a high reputation from the authorities, and his services were sought
for and required after the close of the war. Having been in active service, he
could not brook the restraint and remain in the dull routine of official life
in Washington, and resigned and went to Springfield, Missouri. In a short time
he engaged to represent a mining syndicate organized to work and develop mines
in Idaho. After four years of rough pioneer and mining life he returned to
Indiana in 1869, and in the fall of the same year engaged to come to California
as a pioneer and proprietor in handling the vehicles made by Studebaker Bros.
Manufacturing Co., excepting the years 1880, ’81 and ’82. During these years he
was engrossing clerk of the California State Senate one session, and Deputy
State Controller during Governor Perkins’ administration. At the close of this
administration he again associated himself with the Studebaker Bros.
Manufacturing Co., and accepted the management of this great and growing
business of the Pacific Coast Branch, located at 201 and 203 Market street, San
Francisco, which position he now holds.
He is a representative American citizen,
whose education, official experience and association in the higher walks of
life have given him an attractive address that is characteristic of the
cultured polished gentleman. He has a fine physique, ruddy complexion, martial
step, and has a subtle power as a conversationalist that gives him great
influence and efficiency as one of the leading and representative business men
of this State. During a long and continuous employment in responsible
commercial pursuits as sole representative or manager, or in civic official
station and military service of his country, requiring mental capacity,
sagacity and good judgment, he has made a clean record and won the highest
commendation by the heads of government. He joined St. Joseph Lodge, I. O. O.
F. at South Bend, Indiana, of which the Hon. Schuyler Colfax was a member, and
from which grew that strong attachment in life between him and Mr. Ames. He married
Miss Sarah J. Massey, daughter of one of the pioneers and leading families of
South Bend, Indiana. This happy union has been blessed with two promising sons,
the eldest being now engaged as an assistant to his father in his extensive
business.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: “Illustrated Fraternal Directory Including
Educational Institutions on the Pacific Coast”, Page 94, Publ. Bancroft
Co., San Francisco. Cal. 1889.
© 2012 Cecelia
M. Setty.
San Francisco County Biographies