yron Edwin “John” Ames was one of the Klondike stampeders who entered Alaska and the Yukon in 1898 via Dyea and the Chilkoot Pass, and met with disappointment rather than gold. He had been born in Loveland, Colorado in 1875 and, after his stint in the Klondike, returned to Loveland where he married Edith Belle Greenough, who was born there in 1885.

After his return to Colorado, and some years after his marriage, John returned to Alaska with two of his eldest sons. They settled in Kukak Bay on Shelikof Strait in 1923. Edith and the rest of the family arrived in 1924, and then all of them moved to Anchorage in 1925. John spent each winter trapping along the Kahiltna River until 1932, when he decided to stay in town year-round. He purchased Anchorage Public Scales, which was used to weigh truckloads of coal, the fuel used in Anchorage at the time. John also had a mink ranch at Bird Creek, and the family would spend summers there. Between 1932 and 1935 John ran a weekly mail boat named The Alert from Anchorage to the Susitna River serving Susitna Station, McDougal, and Skwentna.

In 1935 John passed away suddenly, and Edith was left with the scale house to run, which she did, with son Phil’s help. When World War II started, Edith sold the house on F Street and the scale house and moved to Seattle, where she spent the rest of her years.

John and Edith had five children, four boys and one daughter. Mildred Ames Fernald was born in 1912 and died in 1976; Ollie “Jinx” was born in 1908 and died in 1981; Bob was born in 1907 and died in 1993; Dick was born in 1927 and died in 1998. Phil was born in 1921 and married Betty Anne, with whom he had five children, Bradley Gordon, Martha Ellen Ames Ellis, Warren Rodell (who was born in 1950 and died in 1973), Kathy Anne Ames Stewart and Brannon Scott. John Ames died in Anchorage in 1935 and is buried in Anchorage Memorial Park. Edith died in Seattle in 1969.
Myron Edward “John” Ames, born Loveland, Colorado, 1875. Died 1935. Edith Belle Greenough Ames, born Loveland, Colorado, 1885. Died 1969.     John with sons Phil and Bob and friend at home, 6th Avenue and F Street, circa 1933. Anchorage grade school in background.
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Mildred Ames Fernald, 1912-1976.     Edith and John in front of home, circa 1930.
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Ollie “Jinx” Ames, 1908-1981.     Left to right: Robert Ames, 1907-1993; Phil Ames, 1921-2003; Richard Ames, 1927-1998.
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Photo captions:
  1. Myron Edward “John” Ames, born Loveland, Colorado, 1875. Died 1935. Edith Belle Greenough Ames, born Loveland, Colorado, 1885. Died 1969.


  2. John with sons Phil and Bob and friend at home, 6th Avenue and F Street, circa 1933. Anchorage grade school in background.


  3. Mildred Ames Fernald, 1912-1976.


  4. Edith and John in front of home, circa 1930.


  5. Ollie “Jinx” Ames, 1908-1981.


  6. Left to right: Robert Ames, 1907-1993; Phil Ames, 1921-2003; Richard Ames, 1927-1998.


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