Ames' Iron Works was founded in 1854 by Henry M. Ames when he purchased the works of Talcot & Underhill, who had been manufacturing winches for great lakes ships since about 1840. The company was controlled by members of the Ames family until 1919 when it was sold to the Pierce Butler Radiator Corp. They were one of the foremost steam engine manufacturers in the United States. All rights for the steam traction engine business was sold to the Skinner Engine Co. of Erie, PA.

From 1872 letterhead seen on eBay: "Portable and Stationary Engines Wood Working Machinery, Machinists" Tools, Portable Flour Mills, &c." This letterhead was for their Western agent, A. S. Petticrew, based in St. Louis, MO.

The 1872 "Boyd's New York State Directory" has an ad from E. P. Hampson, New York City agent for Ames' Iron Works. "Portable and stationary engines, boilers saw and grist mills." The same directory has a minimal entry for Ames' Iron Works in Oswego: "Cayuga c. E. Second." The "c." means "corner of".

Information Sources

• American Steam Engine Builders: 1800-1900 by Kenneth L. Cope, 2006 page 19
• Encyclopedia of American Steam Traction Enginesby Jack Norbeck, 1975 pages 28 & 63
• Steam Power on the American Farm by Reynold M. Wik, 1953 page 251
• The Steam Tractor Encyclopedia
• You-Tube Video of an abandoned Ames Portable Steam engine