HAMMOND SAMUEL AMES, the genial and popular liveryman of South Bluff street, Janesville, is a Veteran Union soldier. He is the only son of Lester AMES - one of the early settlers of Center Township - and was born in Chautauqua County, N.Y., Aug. 29, 1843. His grandparents, Samuel and Lucy (BUSH) AMES, came from Connecticut to Stafford Township, Genesee Co., N.Y., very early in the development of that section. They opened up a farm in the heavy timer, four miles from the present city of Batavia. Samuel AMES was a contractor and builder, and erected a large number of dwellings in Stafford and Byron. He also developed the fine farm of 320 acres, which is now in the possession of one of his granddaughters, and includes a very excellent sugar-maple grove. Mr. AMES was an active member of the Methodist Church, and a prominent Whig and Republican. He served as Justice in Byron, and was widely known for sterling qualities of character. He died in the spring of 1865, aged eighty-seven years, and his widow survived to the age of ninety-two. They had three sons and a daughter, Lester being the second of these. The AMES family is of English origin, and Oakes and Oliver AMES, prominent American citizens, were nearly related to Samuel. The wife of the latter came of Scotch ancestry. Samuel AMES was captain in command of a company of American soldiers in the Mexican war.
Lester AMES was born in Stafford, where he grew to manhood. He assisted his father in building operations, thus becoming an expert carpenter, and also learned the cooper's trade. While resident in Byron he married Eleanor DUNBAR, whose immediate ancestors - of English origin - came from Connecticut. He soon after removed to Chautauqua County and bought a farm. Here four of his children were born, and when the youngest was two months old the mother expired. He then sold his farm, and, leaving the children with his parents, came west to look for a new home. In the autumn of 1845 he purchased a farm in Center Township, on which he settled in the spring of 1846. His death occurred in August, 1865, and was caused by cancer, which carried him off at the early age of fifty-one years. His religious connections were with the Methodist Church. He was an earnest Republican and an active supporter of the public schools, in whose management he was often called to officiate. For his second spouse he took Mrs. Betsey RICE, a widowed sister of his first wife, who bore him one daughter. Following are the names of his offspring, in order of birth: Adaline J. died at Footville, while the wife of Charles CAMPBELL; she was a teacher and taught in the Footville school two years before her marriage. Josephine, also a teacher, married Charles G. HUNT, and died at Janesville in 1864. Hammond is the third. Eleanor (Mrs. Sanford B. HAYNOR) resides in Chicago. Elvira D., now the wife of Daniel SHAW, dwells on the homestead near Footville.
H. S. AMES was reared in Rock County, and was educated at the public schools in Footville and Janesville. When seventeen years old he engaged as clerk in the store of BENNETT & BOSTWICK, at Janesville, where he continued a year and a half. On the outbreak of the Civil War he was among the first to enlist - his name being enrolled as a member of Company E, 5th Wisconsin Infantry. This was on the 25th of April, 1861. When the regiment went into camp at Madison, he joined it, and this gave the first knowledge of his enlistment to his father. The latter procured his release, because of his youth, and brought him home to the farm. After a few days spent in the hayfield, the patriotic youth determined to again join his regiment, which was now about to move to Washington. Securing permission to drive his favorite horse to Janesville, he there gave the animal in charge of a neighbor to drive home, and proceeded by rail to join the brave Fifth. The first service of the regiment consisted in quelling a riot at Milwaukee, after which it went to Washington and became part of the Army of the Potomac, under Brig. Gen. King. It was soon transferred to Gen. W. S. Hancock's brigade and went into winter camp on the Virginia side of the Potomac. The first battle in which Mr. AMES took part was that of Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862. For its action in this engagement the regiment was personally addressed by Gen. McClellan in words of thanks and warm praise. Here Mr. AMES was slightly wounded in the ankle. He was then successively exposed at Golden's Farm, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Crampton's Gap, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Marye's Heights. In February, 1863, the "Light Davison" of the 6th corps was formed by Gen. Pratt for special service in reconnaissance's and movements requiring great activity, and this included the 5th Wisconsin. The storming of Mary's Heights was undertaken on the 3d of May, in the face of terrible opposition, and in the ascent of that steep slope, Corporal AMES was shot through the left thigh. After lying nearly two months in Armory Square Hospital, at Washington, he was granted a forty days' furlough for recuperation. He rejoined the regiment in August, at New York City, where it was employed for some time in enforcing the draft. Their first action, after again joining the 6th corps, was at Rappabannoch Station, and the next at Locust Grove, in the Mine Run expedition. During the first days' fight of the Wilderness campaign, Sergt. AMES was shot through both thighs and was discharged - his three years' term of enlistment having been for some time expired. After recovering from these injuries he was appointed, on the recommendation of his former officers, to the position of distributing clerk in the quartermaster's department at Memphis, Tenn. This he was compelled to resign at the end of six months, by serious illness, and was unfitted for business for a year. After farming a year he bought a half interest in a drug store at Boscobel. Tiring of store confinement he sold out and bought a farm near Brodhead, which he operated till he purchased his present place of business in 1880. He has a fine property, including two residences, and enjoys a good business. He is a member of the G.A.R., a Royal Arch Mason and Odd Fellow. He attends Christ Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a member. His wedding took place Oct. 18, 1865, the bride being Miss Victoria ARMSTRONG, a native of Groton, N.Y. Her brother, Dr. L. G. ARMSTRONG, was a department surgeon during the War of the Rebellion, and is now President of the Wisconsin State Medical Association. Mr. and Mrs. AMES are valued members of Janesville society, and enjoy the peace which they have earned.
From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 page 454, 455