Ames, Charles W. (Charles Wilberforce), 1855-1921.

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Charles Wilberforce Ames was born in Minneapolis, June 30, 1855, the son of Charles Gordon Ames and Sarah Daniels Ames. He was educated at Albany Academy (Albany, New York) and public schools in California. He graduated from Cornell University in 1878. After working in San Jose, California as an apprentice printer, he returned to Minnesota where he worked as a railroad surveyor. He later assisted his father in editing and publishing the Christian Register in Boston. In 1880 he became associated with the George H. Ellis Publishing Company in Boston. In 1882 he returned to St. Paul and purchased an interest in the West Publishing Company, a publisher of law books. This association continued until his death in 1921. Under his guidance the company grew to be one of the largest publishers of law books in the U.S.

Ames became very active in the educational, civic, religious, and cultural life of St. Paul and Minnesota. Among his many projects were the founding of the St. Paul Institute, Loomis School, St. Paul Academy, and the Informal Club.

Ames married Mary Lesley in 1883. She was the daughter of Peter (J. Peter) and Susan Lyman Lesley. Mary Lesley Ames became active in many social welfare projects concerning women and children. In May 1915 the St. Paul Branch of the Fatherless Children of France was started and its headquarters were in the Ames house. Later, the American Fund for French Wounded was likewise headquartered there. Charles W., his daughters Elizabeth, Alice, and Margaret, and his son Theodore all worked in France with the organization.

During World War II, Elizabeth Ames Jackson and Margaret Ames Wright carried on the tradition of extending help with money and clothes to the people of France and England through the American Friends of France and the British War Relief Society, Incorporated These organizations were again headquartered in the Ames home. Over 72,000 garments were made or refurbished and sent to England.

Charles and Mary Ames had six children: Charles Lesley, Margaret, Catharine, Alice, Elizabeth, and Theodore Gordon.

From the guide to the Charles W. and Mary Lesley Ames family papers., 1803-1986 (Bulk 1880-1945)., (Minnesota Historical Society)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Frank A. Carle papers., 1884-1927. Minnesota Historical Society
referencedIn Historical materials., 1862-2001 (bulk 1862-1948). Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Burnquist, J. A. A. (Joseph Alfred Arner), 1879-1961. J. A. A. Burnquist papers, 1884-1961. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Charles W. and Mary Lesley Ames family papers., 1803-1986 (Bulk 1880-1945). Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Ames, Charles W. (Charles Wilberforce), 1855-1921. Charles W. and Mary Lesley Ames family papers, 1803-1986 (bulk 1880-1945). Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Cotton, Donald Reed, 1883-. Donald R. Cotton papers, 1915-1919, 1925. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Carle, Frank Austin, 1851-1930. Frank A. Carle papers, 1884-1927. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Fund for French Wounded. corporateBody
associatedWith Ames family. family
associatedWith Ames family. family
associatedWith Burnquist, J. A. A. (Joseph Alfred Arner), 1879-1961. person
associatedWith Carle, Frank Austin, 1851-1930. person
associatedWith Cornell University. corporateBody
associatedWith Cotton, Donald Reed, 1883- person
associatedWith Diamond Ranche, inc. (Chugwater, Wyo.). corporateBody
associatedWith Diamond Ranche, Incorporated (Chugwater, Wyo.). corporateBody
associatedWith Fitzgerald, F. Scott (Francis Scott), 1896-1940. person
associatedWith Jackson family. family
associatedWith Jackson family. family
associatedWith Lesley family. family
associatedWith Leslie family. family
associatedWith Minnesota State Art Society. corporateBody
associatedWith Miss Loomis' School (Saint Paul, Minn.). corporateBody
associatedWith Miss Loomis' School (Saint Paul, Minn.). corporateBody
associatedWith Northern Blau Gas Company (Minneapolis, Minn.). corporateBody
associatedWith Northwest Airlines, inc. corporateBody
associatedWith Northwest Airlines, Incorporated corporateBody
associatedWith Princeton University. corporateBody
associatedWith Saint Paul Institute. corporateBody
associatedWith Science Museum of Minnesota. corporateBody
associatedWith Service Men's Center (Saint Paul, Minn.). corporateBody
associatedWith St. Paul Academy and Summit School (Saint Paul, Minn.) corporateBody
associatedWith St. Paul Dispatch-Pioneer Press (Saint Paul, Minn.). corporateBody
associatedWith St. Paul School of Fine Art (Saint Paul, Minn.). corporateBody
associatedWith Townley, A. C. (Arthur Charles), 1880-1959. person
associatedWith Tuskegee Institute. corporateBody
associatedWith Unity Church (Saint Paul, Minn.) corporateBody
associatedWith Unity Church (Saint Paul, Minn.). Unitarian Laymen's League. corporateBody
associatedWith West Publishing Company. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Wyoming
Minnesota--Minneapolis
Saint Paul (Minn.)
England
Minnesota
United States
Minnesota--Saint Paul
Minnesota
Virginia--Richmond
Montana
France
Saint Paul (Minn.)
Subject
Publishers and publishing
Publishers and publishing
Adult education
Adult education
Education
Education
Amateur theater
Amateur theater
Arbitration, Industrial
Arbitration, Industrial
Art
Art
Charities
Charities
Communism
Communism
German Americans
German Americans
Internal security
Internal security
International relief
International relief
Manual training
Manual training
Mines and mining
Mines and mining
Museums
Museums
Nursing home patients
Nursing home patients
Ranch managers
Ranch managers
Slave bills of sale
Slave bills of sale
Slave traders
Slave traders
Strikes and lockouts
Strikes and lockouts
Subversive activities
Subversive activities
War brides
War brides
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1914-1918
Women in charitable work
Women in charitable work
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
Occupation
Arbitrators
Activity

Person

Birth 1855

Death 1921

English,

French

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