Elaine Ames Thieman

Elaine Ames Thieman passed away on January 23, at the age of eighty nine. Elaine was born in Helena Montana to Fern and Lewis Ames, son of Oliver Keen Ames. She and her sister, Gail, were the great great granddaughters of old Oliver Ames, founder of the Ames Tool Company, the oldest company in the United States. Old Oliver had four sons who were involved in the Shovel Company Business, including O. K. Ames who had three sons: Lewis, Oliver. and Oaks Ames. Lewis Ames had two daughters: Elaine Ames and Gail Ames.

Before the Kennedys, there was the Ames dynasty that ran Massachusetts and the country. Representative Oaks Ames was a close friend to Abraham Lincoln. Ames along with Lincoln was probably one of the first Republicans of Massachusetts.

One night Abraham Lincoln said to him….”Oaks, you’re the man for the job. I want you to take a hold of this thing and build the Pacific Railroad. Whatever you need you shall have, and if you need more you shall have that too. You need only ask.” Lincoln went on to say “and when I retire from the Presidency, I want to take a ride on the railroad.”

His brother Oliver Ames inherited both jobs: President of the Union Pacific and Ames Tool Company. He also became the 35th Governor of Massachusetts in 1887.

Adelbert Ames, a Civil War General and Medal of Honor recipient, became Governor of Mississippi. Thanks to Thomas Jefferson, and the Louisiana purchase, the seventeen hundred miles of railroad built by the Ames family, the East and West of the country were connected.

Thus was Elaine Ames’ lineage. Elaine moved to Portland and married George Curtright. She is survived by their son Dr. Wm. Ames Curtright, DBA. Elaine’s Father, Lewis Ames, died in 1958.

She later married Edward Thieman and is survived by their daughter, Linda Scherlie, who lives in California with her husband, Al.

Elaine’s sister was Gayle Young, who had three sons: Gary Diltz, Bobby Diltz, and Bill Diltz who are also members of the Ames genealogy and blood line.

Elaine loved animals, hiking, exploring, and traveling. She also enjoyed politics and was always very supportive of her daughter, Linda. She helped her son, Wm. Ames Curtright, when he ran for Governor. She was always there for her family when they were in need and always ready to lend a helping hand.

Elaine resided at 6325 SE 48th Avenue in Portland, Oregon and attended the Apostolic Faith Church on 52nd Avenue in Southeast Portland.

Viewing will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm in the Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home at 11801 SE Mt. Scott Blvd. (across the street from the Willamette National Cemetery) in Portland, Oregon. Additional viewing will be Thursday, February 2, 2012 from 9:00 am until 11:00am in the Chapel, followed by the Memorial Service from 11:00am to 12:30pm.

Committal Service will follow at 1:00pm at Willamette National Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, Portland, OR.