Albert W. Ames Is Dead

ALBERT W. AMES IS DEAD

For 46 Years With American Express Co.

OLDEST AGENT OF THE LINE.

For Over 40 Years Ann Arbor Agent-One of the Best Known Men in City

  Albert W. Ames, who for so many years was the American Express agent in this city, died at his home, 323 E. William street, Thursday, September 24th. He has been in feeble health for a long time and it was on account of poor health that he retired from active work for the American Express two years ago, after a longer service than any man then in their employ.

   Mr. Ames was born in East Dorset, Vermont, Feb. 28, 1828. His early life was spent in Bennington, Vt.  As a young man he clerked in a store in New York city. He came to Michigan in 1855 and in October of that year entered the employ of the American Express Co. as a messenger between Detroit and Chicago. At this time there were but few railroads in Michigan, the Michigan Central, the Michigan Southern and a road from Detroit to Pontiac. J. F. Stuart was then American Express agent in Chicago and James C. Fargo was the superintendent at Detroit. In their office but three clerks and a colored porter and four wagons were needed to do their work. For six years Mr. Ames acted as express messenger and then in 1861 he became the company's agent in Ann Arbor and held this position for 40 years, when he retired on account of ill health. He was the oldest employee in the service.

  For many years in connectlon with the express office he ran the only news stand in Ann Arbor and the older residents will remember the big stack of papers to be found in the office. This brought him contract with nearly everyone and there were few better known men than Mr. Ames or more highly esteemed. The Express office in this city grew to large proportion while Mr. Ames was in charge of the work and that his service was highly esteemed by the company was shown by his long length of service and his retirement on a pension.     Mr. Ames is survived by his wife and four children, Mrs. Miriam O. Powell, of Minneapolis, Mrs. Nellie B. Edmond, of Duluth, Mrs. Helen Ames MacDonald, of Hancock, and Herbert W. Ames, of Chicago.

   The funeral will be held at 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon from his late residence, to which the frlends are invited. The interment in Forest Hill cemetery will be private.