In an analyzation of the life of Ben Allen Ames it is found that his qualities of leadership are well marked, as indicated in the position that he has attained in professional, business and social circles of OKLAHOMA CITY. His is not only a prominent representative of the bar but is also an official in various commercial organizations and since his college days, when he was president of both the freshman and junior law classes, he has been an influential factor in civic affairs.
He was born in Macon, Mississippi, November 24, 1894, a son of CHARLES B. and ELIZABETH P. (ALLEN) AMES. The mother, also a native of Macon, Mississippi, is now living in NEW YORK CITY. The father, who was born in Macon, Mississippi, August 1, 1870, was a son of CHARLES BINGLE and SARAH JANE (LONGSTREET) AMES and in addition to engaging in the practice of law in Oklahoma City he became chairman of the board of the TEXAS CORPORATION, which in 1923 invited him to go to NEW YORK as general counsel for the company. He therefore removed to the eastern metropolis in March of that year and filled the position until November, 1925, when he resigned. He continued his residence in New York City, however, until his death in 1935. To him and his wife were born five (5) children: BEN ALLEN JR.; MRS ELIZABETH CLEVELAND, living in New York City; CHARLES B., JR., a resident of California; FISHER of Oklahoma City; and LONGSTREET, of Dallas, Texas.
After attending the public schools of Oklahoma City, Ben A. Ames entered the TOME SCHOOL FOR BOYS, a preparatory institution as PORT DEPOSIT, MARYLAND, where he was graduated in 1912. He afterward spent two (2) years as a student in Princeton University and then entered the University of Oklahoma, where he gained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1916 and his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1919. In 1917 he was admitted to practice at the Oklahoma bar and two (2) years later joined the LAW FIRM OF AMES, CHAMBERS, LOWE & RICHARDSON OF OKLAHOMA CITY as one of its members. In the meantime, he had rendered active service as a member of the United States Army, being made a first lieutenant of the Twenty-fifth Field Artillery of the Ninth Division, after which he held a commission as first lieutenant in the Field Artillery Reserve Corps. At the close of his military experience he began the practice of law and his progress has been continuous. In addition he has made wise investment in business affairs and is a DIRECTOR OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK & TRUST COMPANY, THE OKLAHOMA OPERATING COMPANY, THE PRUDENTIAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL STOCK YARDS COMPANY, THE OKLAHOMA CITY JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANY AND THE DR. PEPPER OKLAHOMA BOTTLING COMPANY, in all of which organizations his opinions are counted as a valuable asset. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF MUSKOGEE
The oldest bank in Oklahoma---the First National Bank and Trust Company of Muskogee--was organized on June 7, 1890, after more than a year of negotiations begun by ROBERT L. OWEN, C.E. FOLEY, and other citizens of the frontier CITY OF MUSKOGEE.
The bank's first Board of Directors consisted of ROBERT L. OWEN, PRESIDENT, A.W. ROBB, T.B. NEEDLES, F.B. SEVERS, P.J. BYRNE, C.W. TURNER, AND LEO BENNETT, all of Muskogee; H.W. SALMON, CLINTON, MISSOURI; W.O. COX, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI; C.E. FOLEY, EUFAULA; J.E. REYNOLDS, SOUTH McALESTER; AND JOHN ADAMS, PARSON, KANSAS.
After the charter was approved, the bank opened for business on APRIL 22, 1890, with a capital structure of $100,000 at its first location in THE SEVERS BLOCK BUILDING on the SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SECOND STEET AND BROADWAY. In 1908 the CITY NATIONAL BANK was absorbed, futher increasing the size and enlarging the field of services of FIRST NATIONAL.
On March 1, 1913, FIRST NATIONAL moved into a newly purchased three-story building at 202 WEST BROADWAY. Several years later the top floor of the building was removed, making the structure the two (2) stories it is today.
By 1919 the capital structure had increased to $675,000. Ten years later, in 1929, the bank had undergone two (2) name changes, the first near the turn of the century when the spelling of "MUSCOGEE" was changed, and the second in 1929 when "and TRUST COMPANY" was added because of the growth of the bank's TRUST DEPARTMENT.
More About Ben Allen I Ames and Olive Wiess: Marriage: 1921
Ben Allen I Ames (b. November 24, 1894, d. 1969)
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