Suffolk County, Massachusetts - The whole text, 1894 (part 17 of 17)

In early life his profound love of nature, which he enjoyed to the last, turned him to horticulture, in which he became deeply engaged. Mr. Ames was one of the most liberal patrons of horticulture America has produced, and his collection of orchids was a great source of pride to every one interested in the progress of the art in which he found his principal pleasure. This great collection, begun many years ago, has gradually grown and improved until it surpasses all other collections of these plants in America, and in number, variety and condition has not a .superior. Mr. Ames's love of nature was real and profound, and his exact and comprehensive knowledg-e of the plants in which he was particnlarl}' interested, has given him an international reputation among orchidologists, and many rare orchids have been named for him. His ambition and success in establishing this noted collection, surrounded in his glasshouses in North Easton by much of rare horticultural beaiTty, and in great variety, has resulted in having the fame for this work credited not alone to Mr. Ames and his own State, but also to our nation. Honor to the man who.se work brings honor to his coimtry.

P'or nearly thirty years Mr. Ames was an active member of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society; he had long been one of its vice-presidents, and as a member of the finance committee rendered it valuable service.

His country home in North Easton is one of the most extensive and beautiful estates in New England. His large greenhouses have been a public benefit and delight, as they have been freely opened, not only to the residents of North Easton, who took great pride in them, but also to visitors from far and near.

His interest in rural arts and in rural economy was deep and active, and he was for man}- years a trustee of the Massachusetts Socictv for Promoting Agriculture.

Mr. Ames was intensely a New Englandcr, and had an abiding faith in the future of Boston, where his wealth had been invested to a degree that made him the city's largest owner of real estate. Here, also, it was, that as a client of Richardson, he exercised a marked influence for improvement upon the business architecture of the cit_v, such as probably no other individual has yet exerted. In the great tower-like Ames building, at the corner of Washington and Court streets, designed by Richardson's successors, Mr. Ames leaves a substantial monument, in the form of one of the most beautiful, and original examples of the gigantic office structures, that characterize our leading American cities.

But loyalty to his native town and village was one of his marked characteristics, and it was manifest in the beautiful architectural additions he made to the place. With his mother and sister he largely increased the bequest left by his father to build, equip and endow a public library, and, employing Richardson as architect, he erected one of the most beautiful library buildings in the country. His gate-lodge, at the north entrance of his grounds, built of moss covered stones of irregular shape, is exceedingly unique and interesting. This and the beautiful railroad station which Mr. Ames erected at his own expense for the adornment of the village, are also worthy memorials of Richardson's genius.

Mr. Ames was a liberal patron of the fine arts, and .showed unusual discrimination in the selection of his purchases. In his winter home in Boston, he had a superb collection of paintings, tapestries, jades and crystals, among the latter, the largest known. He owned some of the finest exam]:>les of Millet, Rosseau, Troyon, Dias, Daubigny and Corot, and many other important paintings, notably two very fine portraits by Rembrandt, dated 1(J32, of undoubted genuineness, and great value.

In politics Mr. Ames was originally a Whig, but later became a Republican. He never, however, cherished political aspirations, and his tastes disinclined him to seek positions that would bring him into public notice. Much against his will he was elected to the State Senate in Xi^'i'l. The nomination had been made in his absence, and without his knowledge. He served during his term on the committee on manufactures, and agriculture. In religious life he was a devoted Unitarian, and took an active part in the affairs of the church at North Easton, and of the First Unitarian Church of Boston, and he was one of the most generous givers to denominational objects.

He was a liberal contributor to charitable enterprises, and personally devoted much time and money to worthy objects. He was president of the Home for Incurables, and a trustee of the Children's Hospital, of the Massachusetts General Hospital, and of the McLean Insane Asylum. He was also deeply concerned in the work of the Kindergarten for the Blind.

On the Tth of June, 1860, Mr. Ames was married to Rebecca Caroline, only child of James Blair, of St. Louis, Mo. Six children were born to them, of whom five are now living: Helen Angier, the wife of Robert C. Hooper, of Boston ; Oliver, who married Elise A. West, of Boston ; Mary Shreve ; Lothrop ; and John Stanley.

Mr. Ames possessed the happy faculty of leaving his business cares behind him when he crossed the threshold of his home. It was there that he found his truest delight. There, with his wife and children, surrounded by the works of art he so well appreciated, deeply interested in the best books, he passed his happiest hours, and gained the rest

Mr. Ames's death occurred September i:5, 1893, in the heit^ht of his great business activities, and was a severe blow to the financial interests of Boston, and of all New England. The press of New England, and of the entire country, paid common tribute to his distinguished abilities, eminent services, and unblemished character. < )f honored lineage and sterling personal character, as a great man of business he will be best, and very properly remembered. Here he takes rank with the foremost of his generation in this country, and it should be held to his lasting honor, that he won this proud place, without compromising the characteristic integrity of the Massachusetts gentleman.