Ames, Frances Proctor, 1856-1948

Frances Proctor was born in Farmersville, N.Y. on November 28, 1856. In 1862 the family moved to a farm in Portville, N.Y. It was there that she was first introduced to the idea of becoming a doctor through her mother Martha who had a deep interest in medicine and often aided the community during sickness and birth. Frances was accepted to study medicine at the University of Buffalo Medical School. There she met Louise Downer who became her roommate. The two struck a life-long friendship and they corresponded for the next forty-five years until Louise's death in 1929. Her thesis was written on eclampsia, which is a potential pregnancy complication. After graduating from medical school on February 24, 1885, Frances went to Oswayo, Pa. to practice medicine. While in Oswayo, she started corresponding with Dr. John Eddy from Portville, N.Y. He became her professional mentor. In 1887, Frances contacted at least two medical schools in Pennsylvania inquiring about a state examination that would validate her New York State medical diploma. Due to family circumstances she was not able to take the exam and thus ended any chance of her practicing medicine. In April of 1888 she returned to Portville to tend to family needs. In December 1889 she married Eugene Ames, a man she had met while living in Oswayo. They lived on the Proctor's farm in Portville where they raised three children. Frances died in 1948 at the age of 92.