Nelson W. Ames, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Mattoon; one of the most prominent settlers; was born in Wayne Co., Penn., Feb. 9, 1817; he is the son of Mr. Joseph Ames, now deceased, who was born in Connecticut, and was one of the early settlers of Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Gertrude Schenck, and where Mr. N. W. Ames, the subject of this sketch, was born. He was married Jan. 9, 1840, to Miss Nancy Hoalley, who was born in Pennsylvania May 6, 1818, and who died Oct. 3, 1847. Mr. Ames removed from his native State to New Jersey, where he remained several years. On April 12, 1849, he was married again, to Miss Susan A. Cramer, who was born in New Jersey June 2, 1830; they have seven children, viz., Oliver George, Rutser, Newton, Louisa, Sarah and John. Mr. Ames came to this State and settled in Coles Co. in 1857; the farm which he owns, and upon which he now resides, he purchased from the Railroad Co. in the same year; it consists of 212 acres, valued at $8,500. George, the second son of Mr. Ames, served as a volunteer in the late war three years; he enlisted in the 123d I. V. I., and was discharged with honor at the close of the war.
