Biography - Truman E. Ames
TRUMAN E. AMES, County Judge of Shelby County, already ranks among the
most eminent men on the bench in this State, although comparatively young,
as since assuming the judicial power his decisions have been marked with a
thorough knowledge of the law as applicable to all cases under his
jurisdiction, have been delivered with candor and unquestioned fairness, and
have been pronounced without fear or favor.
Our subject was born January 2, 1850, in the township of DeKalb, St.
Lawrence County, N. Y., and is a descendant of the sturdy, energetic pioneer
stock that settled that part of the county and redeemed it from the primeval
forests. His father, Truman W. Ames, was also born on the old family
homestead in De Kalb Township. He was a son of Barnabas Ames who was a
native of Vermont. The great-grandfather of our subject, William Ames, was
likewise born in Vermont, the Ames's being among the Colonial settlers of
Massachusetts. Some of the family removed from there to Vermont. William and
his son Barnabas, after residing there a few years, pushed on to the
frontier wilds of Northern New York, going there on an exploring expedition
before he removed his family, and taking with him bis son, the grandfather
of our subject, then a youth of twenty years. They made the entire journey
from Vermont on foot, taking with them their axes to use when necessary in
traveling through the rough, wild country through which they had to pass.
They found St. Lawrence County a howling wilderness, with but few evidences
of civilization, as there were but very few whites in that region. After
their arrival they took the job to help clear the land where the Court House
now stands at Canton. They soon selected a suitable location for themselves
on what is now the pike leading from Canton to Potsdam, and after erecting a
log house on the land purchased returned to Vermont for the remainder of the
family. The great-grandfather rounded out a long and useful life in his
new-found home, and his mortal remains now repose in the Ames Cemetery not
far from the scene of his pioneer labors.
The grandfather of our subject was just entering upon a vigorous manhood
when the family removed to St. Lawrence County, and he at once set actively
to work to evolve a farm from the wilderness. For many years after his
location there were no railways, and Montreal, Canada, was the most
convenient market and depot for supplies. Deer, bears and wolves were
plentiful in the woods near the settlements, and sometimes committed havoc
with the farmers' stock and gardens. The people were principally
home-livers, subsisting on the products of their farms, their fare being
varied occasionally by game; and the wives, mothers and daughters of the
pioneers carded, spun and wove flax and wool, and the cloth thus made was
fashioned by their hands into garments for their families. Grandfather Ames
made farming his life work and cleared a good farm, on which he lengthened
out a long and useful life.
The father of our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits in the home of
his birth. In due time he married Miss Jane Armin, a native of England and a
daughter of Michael and Jane (Jobbin) Armin. After marriage Mr. Ames
purchased a farm near the old home, and was actively engaged in farming
thereon until 1864, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixth New York
Infantry, and going at once to the front with his regiment, joined
Sheridan's command in the Shenandoah Valley. He fought bravely in the first
battle there, at Cedar Creek, and was severely wounded. After recovering
from the effects of his wounds he joined his regiment again, and was present
with the command at Appomattox at the time of Lee's surrender. He and his
comrades were then sent in pursuit of Johnson's army, and after the
surrender of the latter General they proceeded to Washington, took part in
the Grand Review and were honorably discharged.
Having proved his loyalty and devotion to his country by sacrificing his
interests to help fight the battles that saved the Union, Mr. Ames returned
to his old home and resumed his occupation as a farmer. He conducted his
farming interests until 1881, when he retired from active business to
Potsdam, where he still continues to enjoy the handsome competence that is
the fruit of his well-directed labors. He and his good wife have four sons
living and an adopted daughter, as follows: Truman E., Milon E., Ceylon W.,
Judson T. and Gertrude. Milon E., Ceylon W. and Judson T. are all locomotive
engineers.
Judge Ames laid the foundation of a liberal education in the district
schools of his native town, afterward studied at Hermon Academy, and then
pursued a course of study at the State Normal and Training School at
Potsdam. He thus had a good ground work for his legal studies, which he
began in the law office of Moullon, Chaffee & Headon in the interim of
teaching, he having come to Illinois in 1871, and for two years taught in
Moultrie County, and subsequently in this county. To further prepare himself
for his chosen calling he entered the Law Department of the Michigan State
University at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated with honor in the Class
of '77. He opened an office at Windsor, and was established there one year.
He next went to Rockford, but after remaining in that city one year, he
returned to Windsor, and in 1880 came from there to Shelbyville. He arose
steadily and rapidly in his profession until he was honored by being elected
to his present important office of County Judge in 1886. This position he
has attained solely through his personal merits and fitness for the place.
This is the second term in which he has presided over the deliberations of
the County Court, dispensing justice with an even hand, and his findings,
which are seldom, if ever, over-ruled by the higher courts, evince his
possession of a clear, comprehensive mind and masterly judicial qualities.
In 1874 Judge Ames and Miss Dora Hilsabeck were united in marriage at
Windsor. Mrs. Ames was born at Windsor in 1856, and is the youngest daughter
of James A. and Sarah (Boys) Hilsabeck, natives respectively of Georgia and
Illinois. The Judge and his amiable wife are among our leading society
people, and their charming home possesses many attractions to their hosts of
friends. Their household is completed by the presence of their only son and
child, Edward Peer, who was born January 7, 1878.
Judge Ames is giving Shelbyville the benefit of his learning and executive
talent by serving as President of the Board of Education and using his
influence to make the schools of the city as good as the best in any part of
the State. He is a Democrat in polities and in his social relations is a
member of Jackson Lodge, No. 53, A. F. & A. M.; Godfrey de Bouillon
Commandery, No. 44, at Mattoon, Ill.; also of Black Hawk Lodge, No. 83, K.
of P.; and of the Uniformed Rank No. 40.
Extracted 12 Jan 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 410-411.
