Edwin Mather Amies was born in Philadelphia on October 19, 1859.

His father, Oswald A., enlisted as a private in Co. D, 68th Pennsylvania Infantry on August 15, 1862. He was killed at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863.

Edwin was a member of the Lieutenant S. C. Potts Camp 12, Altoona, Pennsylvania, and Captain of the Camp in 1890. He was appointed Judge Advocate for the Eastern Pennsylvania Division in 1882. He was Judge Advocate General for the Sons of Veteran in 1883 and 1884. He was never elected a Division Commander in Pennsylvania. At the 1906 National Encampment, three Brothers ran for Commander-in-Chief; Amies received 92 votes, Arthur M. Soule (ME) had 19, and E.E. Schoening (MO) had 18. A motion to declare the election unanimous was made and passed.

Edwin was a prominent attorney. He graduated from Girard College, graduating in 1876, and joined the law offices of Alexander and Herrand. After four years he was admitted to the Blair County Bar. He opened his own office in Altoona and it was open for 40 years. He was a popular speaker and in great demand on patriotic occasions and political campaigns.

He served as Lt. and Adjutant on the staff of the Commander of the 5th Regiment, National Guard.

In politics, he was elected City Recorder for Altoona (1882), the Campaign Manger for Representative John M. Rose during his run for reelection to Congress, representing Blair County.  Just prior to his death, Edwin had entered a race for Assistant Postmaster of Altoona.

Edwin was a Past Exalted Ruler of the Altoona Lodge of Elks, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks. He belonged to the Salvation Army, Masons, Knights of Pythias, and Camp 31 of the Patriotic Order Sons of America.

He married Laura Bower and they had no children.

Brother Amies died on November 26, 1920 and is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Altoona.