Olympian file photo
George and Madge Ames show their Christmas tree farm in December 2001.

Ames family has long traditions of farming, closeness

Originally published Saturday, January 12, 2002

George and Madge Ames each have pioneer roots, but they say they don't take their history too much to heart.

"We just kind of take it for granted. ... I guess it's pretty special, really," said Madge Ames, 72, who comes from the Turner line. Her dad, Frank Turner, was born in Olympia on Oct. 9, 1907.

But having pioneer roots seems to spark some sort of attraction, Madge Ames said, as descendants from these two families seem drawn to each other.

"My dad's sister married George's dad's brother, so we have the same aunt and uncle, and their kids and us are double cousins," she said.

The Ames family came to the area about 1880. These pioneers had a shingle mill by Priest Point Park, until it burned down. They built a new one on Ames Hutley Road, now 36th Avenue. When the second mill burned down, the family decided to plant strawberries and raise milk cows.

Those roots run strong in George Ames, 77, who retired after working for 37 years in the bottling department of the Olympia Brewing Co.

He and Madge Ames started a Christmas tree farm near the original Ames property prior to his retirement. It became a second job for him on evenings and weekends.

"He's a farmer. He likes to grow things; you might say it's in his blood," Madge Ames said.

The Ameses raised four sons: Ken, an electrician; Wess, an assistant pastor; Bill, a construction supervisor; and Andy, who owns the local Master Built Creations construction business.

Though the churchgoing tradition was once strong on Madge's side of the family, only Wess is an avid churchgoer now. "The rest are stay-at-homers," Madge Ames said.

One tradition that seems to follow many pioneer families is that of closeness, and the Ames clan is no exception.

Three of George and Madge Ames' children live next door to them in Olympia.

The couple had 105 acres and gave 5 acres to each of their sons to get them started.

That means they don't have to travel far to see their youngest grandson, Jeff Ames, play football for Olympia High School.

George and Madge Ames also have been active in square dancing, an activity they took up in 1962.

"It's just a lot of good, clean fun. It's good exercise and good activity," Madge Ames said.

Now, life has slowed for the couple, who have spent several summers in Alaska fishing and have taken trips to Mexico to fish marlin.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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