James W Ames (1864 - 1944)

Born 12 Oct 1864 in New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America

Husband of Florence (Cole) Ames — married 23 Sep 1897 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States

Died 31 Jan 1944 at age 79 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States of America

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Biography

James Ames is Notable.

James W. Ames was an American physician and politician who led a group of 30 African-American physicians who founded Dunbar Hospital in Detroit. It was the first hospital to serve African-Americans in Detroit.^[1]

James W. Ames was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1864. He was the son of Clarissa Williams and James Ames.^[2]

James mother would marry George Williams and in 1880 James was living with his mother, Clarissy, and his step-father in Ascension, Louisiana.^[3]

He attended Straight University in New Orleans and received his medical training at Howard University.

Dr. James Ames came to Detroit in 1894 after graduating from Straight University in New Orleans and Howard University Medical School in Washington D.C. He was elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives from Wayne County’s 1st district for a two year term, 1901-1902.

James married Florence Cole in Detroit in 1897.^[4] The couple would take up residence on Beaubian Street in Detroit and in 1900 were living there with their one-year-old son, Chester, and James' mother, Clara.^[5]

He was widowed and left with four young children when Florence passed away in 1907 from tuberculosis. Around 1909 he married again to Norma Almbs.^[6] James would continue his medical practice in Detroit. He and Norma would eventually purchase a home on Frederick Avenue.^[7][8][9]

In 1918, James led a group of doctors (Allied Medical Society) that founded Dunbar Memorial Hospital. The hospital, originally located on Frederick Street, opened its doors in 1919.^[10]

He died in 1944 at his home in Detroit, MIchigan^[2] and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan.^[11]

Research Notes

On his marriage record, James' mother's name is cited as Clara Washington. Williams was her married name (James' step-father, George Williams) as per 1880 Census.

On the same document, James gives his father's name as Walter Q Ames.

Sources

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_W._Ames
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Death: "Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952"
   Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics; Lansing, Michigan; Death Records
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 60872 #635113
   Dr James W Ames death 31 Jan 1944 (age 79), son of James W Ames & Clarissa Williams, in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA.
3. ↑ 1880 Census: "1880 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1880; Census Place: 5th Ward, Ascension, Louisiana; Roll: 447; Page: 107D; Enumeration District: 095
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 6742 #40076785 (accessed 12 January 2023)
   James Ames (14), single stepson (step son), in household of George Williams (36) at 5th Ward, Ascension, Louisiana, USA. Born in Louisiana.
4. ↑ Marriage: "Michigan, U.S., Marriage Records, 1867-1952"
   Michigan Department of Community Health, Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics; Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan, Marriage Records, 1867-1952; Film: 61; Film Description: 1897 St Joseph-1898 Eaton
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 9093 #2706210 (accessed 9 December 2022)
   James W Ames (32) marriage to Florence F Cole on 23 Sep 1897 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA.
5. ↑ 1900 Census: "1900 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1900; Census Place: Detroit Ward 3, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: 748; Page: 11; Enumeration District: 0027; FHL microfilm: 1240748
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 7602 #25796634 (accessed 12 January 2023)
   James W Ames (35), married, Physician, head of household in Detroit Ward 3, Wayne, Michigan. Born in Louisiana, USA.
6. ↑ 1910 Census: "1910 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1910; Census Place: Detroit Ward 5, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T624_682; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 0075; FHL microfilm: 1374695
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7884 #12706476 (accessed 9 December 2022)
   James W Ames (45), married, Physician, head of household in Detroit Ward 5, Wayne, Michigan, USA. Born in Louisiana.
7. ↑ 1920 Census: "1920 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1920; Census Place: Detroit Ward 5, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T625_804; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 172
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 6061 #41125934 (accessed 12 January 2023)
   James W Ames (55), married, Physician, head of household in Detroit Ward 5, Wayne, Michigan. Born in New Orleans.
8. ↑ 1930 Census: "1930 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1930; Census Place: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0129; FHL microfilm: 2340771
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 6224 #11922673 (accessed 12 January 2023)
   James Ames (63), married, Physician, head of household at 985 Frederick, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA. Born in Louisiana.
9. ↑ 1940 Census: "1940 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1940; Census Place: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: m-t0627-01847; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 84-208
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 2442 #83137489 (accessed 12 January 2023)
   Doctor James Rames (73), married, Med Doctor, head of household in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. Born in Louisiana.
10. ↑ The Way it Was; accessed on HourDetroit website 01-12-2023 Link to Article
11. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7316936/james-w-ames: accessed 28 August 2022), memorial page for Dr James W. Ames (12 Oct 1864–31 Jan 1944), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7316936, citing Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA; Maintained by J. Colin Clark (contributor 47094715).

• Obituary: "U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current"
  Detroit Free Press; Publication Date: 2 Feb 1944; Publication Place: Detroit, Michigan, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/98276271/?article=ef738c23-6d29-4fd7-b651-916ecd7d542f&focus=0.50767237,0.043451354,0.6224585,0.064947225&xid=3355
  Ancestry Record 61843 #2809464 (accessed 9 December 2022)
  Name: James W. AMES Dr; Gender: Male; Death Date: 31 Jan 1944; Death Place: 985 Frederick; Obituary Date: 2 Feb 1944; Obituary Place: Detroit, Michigan, USA; Newspaper Title: Detroit Free Press; Spouse: Norma; Child: William Ames Marnon Green Florence Turner Chester Cole Ames. Free View of Clipping
• Obituary: "U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current"
  The Detroit Tribune; Publication Date: 5 Feb 1944; Publication Place: Detroit, Michigan, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/668647089/?article=7aa2a2a1-97de-419c-9264-a538d6a03b3e&focus=0.22620353,0.5449873,0.34777844,0.97895783&xid=3355
  Ancestry Record 61843 #851833068 (accessed 9 December 2022)
  Name: James Ames; Gender: Male; Death Age: 80; Birth Date: 12 Oct 1864; Birth Place: New Orleans; Residence Place: Detroit; Death Date: Abt 1944; Obituary Date: 5 Feb 1944; Obituary Place: Detroit, Michigan, USA; Newspaper Title: The Detroit Tribune; Spouse: Norma Ames; Child: Marlon Green William K. Amts. Free View of Clipping