[1][2] Young Oliver attended public schools for a few years, then Franklin Academy in North Andover.

He briefly entered the law field, but left to help in the family shovel business.

[5] His tenure was marked by controversy since his 1866 ascent to the presidency was over Thomas C. Durant who had tried to gain the position for himself.

[10] The will stipulated that it was to be a private institution, not owned by the town, but operated in trust for the public.

They hired Henry Hobson Richardson to design the Ames Free Library.

At the time of its construction, the monument was located at the highest point attained by the Union Pacific's transcontinental route.