Maintained by Mason County Coordinator
Donna
Mayer
LORING
AMES
Home
History
of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, 1879, by Miller & Ruggles
Quiver
Township
Page 819
LORING AMES, farmer; P. O. Topeka; son of
Zephaniah Ames, whose ancestors came over in the Mayflower during the reign of
William and Mary. They were of English descent. His mother's maiden name was
Case. She was born in Connecticut, and was married to Mr. Ames in Maryland. In
1818, they came to Illinois, and settled on a farm in St. Clair Co. for a few
years. They moved, in 1823, to Adams Co., where they both died—he, in 1835, and
she, in 1825. The subject of this sketch was born Sept. 13, 1806, and, when 1
year old, moved with his parents to Hemlock Forest, in Pennsylvania, and
was'there until 15 years old, when-he came to Illinois with his parents. In
1827, he went to the lead mines in the West. During the time he was there, he
participated in a war with the Indians, who were headed by Red Bud. He returned
in 1829, and shortly afterward took a flatboat, starting from Quincy, Ill., and
running to New Orleans. This was the first flatboat ever run down from Quincy,
and was loaded with hogs, corn, potatoes, onions and oak staves. He returned in
1830, and worked on a farm for Gov. Wood, for two years. He had
considerable management of Gov. Wood's business, and was often called Governor
by strangers. He next worked on a steam mill for Holmes; afterward, on a farm
until 1832, when he was in the Black Hawk war. On his return, he began farming,
and continued it until married, which was in 1833, to Elrnira Jones, daughter of
Deacon Jones, who laid out Canton. In 1836, he moved to Fulton Co., and made
brick in partnership with his father-in-law for one year; he then farmed in
Fulton Co. until 1856. when he came to Mason Co., and settled the present.farm
of 160 acres, which they have obtained by their own labor. He became a member of
the Congregational Church in Quincy, Ill., in 1831, and is now with the
Methodist Episcopal Church, at Topeka, Ill. His wife is also a member. The names
of their children are Ardelia, Orpheus, who was in the war of the rebellion for
three years ; Joel, also in the war; George, Charles, Diantha and Emily.
Maintained by Mason County Coordinator
Donna
Mayer