In the next few months I'll write short histories of some of our prominent citizens who played an important part in our community during the Erie Canal era, their businesses and their lives as “Boatmen” on the canal during this time.

In 1834, Lorenzo D. Ames joined George Milliner in the dry dock business along the original canal route known as Clinton's Ditch. He learned the trade of building and repairing the canal boats. It became known then as the Milliner and Ames Dry Dock. Mr. Ames ran this business until the new canal route was re-routed through the village.

In 1858, Finley and Richard King created another dry dock (near Lock 52) along property that they owned. At this time, Mr. Ames went to work for them and eventually gained control of it until 1860.

Sometime in the 1870s, Mr. Ames started a boat bridge manufacturing business. This business made small portable bridges that were used in getting the horses and mules on and off the towpath to the canal boats. The business continued for nearly a quarter of a century until steam power replaced the canal boats.

In late 1875, Mr. Ames sold his dry dock business to Oliver B. Tanner and Andrew Shelter. They dismantled the Ames Dry Dock, leaving them owning the only dry dock in the village, which became known as the Tanner Dry Docks.

Mr. Ames was born in Herkimer County on June 26, 1818. He and his parents eventually settled in the Port Byron area in 1822.

Mr. Ames was married twice and had children by both wives. He passed away in 1915 at the age of 96.

In the next story, I'll profile a Port Byron “Canawler” and his life as a captain on a canal boat. A boatman's life on the canal waa long and very hard.

Source: “Lorenzo D. Ames Celebrates Birthday,” 1910.

Penny Helzer is historian for the village of Port Byron. She can be reached at 776-5300 or e-mail CraftyPenny@tds.net