There are few more enterprising and industrious members of the farming community of Scales Mound Township than the subject of this biography. He is living among the people with whom he has spent his entire life, having been born in East Galena, Dec. 23, 1850. He became familiar with agricultural pursuits at an early age, and attended the district school during the winter season. He was thus occupied until 1878, and finally purchased the homestead, which he operated until 1885. Then, desirons (sic) of more land, he sold it, and secured his present farm, which is 245 ½ acres in extent, and affords facilities for the more extensive prosecution of his chosen calling. Upon this he has effected good improvements, remodeled the buildings, made considerable new fencing, and has brought it up to an equality with the farms of the other enterprising men around him. It is finely located, and the land rendered fertile by never-failing water. In the meantime Mr. Adams has been somewhat interested in mining.

Stock-raising has also formed no unimportant portion of the labors of Mr. Adams, and he takes considerable pride in the result of his efforts. He keeps about sixty head of Short-horn cattle, and also buys and feeds. He has a number of fine graded Norman horses. He is also interested in Shropshire sheep.

In connection with the parental history of our subject we glean the following facts: His father, Henry Adams, was born in Cornwall County, England, Nov. 3, 1800, and married Miss Sophia Pierce; a native of the same parish, and born Jan. 16, 1812. The paternal grandfather, William Adams, was Chief of coast-guards stationed at London, England, by occupation, and spent his entire life in his native country. On the mother’s side the Grandfather Samuel Pierce was a seafaring man in the employ of the English Government. He made his home in London, where occurred the death of his wife. He died while on a visit to Bristol, at the age of seventy years.

The father of our subject entered the mines when but a boy, receiving a limited education, and labored thus until twenty-three years of age. He then went over into Ireland, and was employed for a year in the copper mines near Bunmahon. In the meantime he became foreman; and was married in 1829. He held this position until 1846, then determined to seek his fortunes in America. Embarking with his little family at Waterford on the sailing-vessel “Thistle”, they landed six weeks later in the city of Quebec, Canada, whence they came directly to Northern Illinois, and located near Galena. The father engaged in mining for other parties two years, then purchased forty acres of wild land in East Galena Township, and turned his attention to farming and stock-raising. Later he added thirty acres to his original purchase, and there spent the remainder of his days; his decease occurring May 2, 1854. During the latter years of his life he affiliated with the Republican party, and was a very active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating as Class-Leader, and otherwise laboring to advance the cause of religion.

The mother of our subject, after the death of her husband, continued to reside on the old homestead a number of years; until her family were grown, and mostly fled from the home nest. She still survives, and makes her home with our subject. She is now seventy-seven years of age, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since she was eighteen years old. Her first marriage was with Samuel Dower, to whom she was married Aug. 10, 1856. Of this marriage there were born ten children: William, the eldest, is mining in Grass Valley, Cal.; Samuel is a merchant of Iowa City, Iowa; John is a resident of Hampton, Iowa; Thomas, our subject, was the ninth child; Henry is farming in Franklin County, Iowa; Alice is at Council Hill, Ill.; Mary A. is engaged in mission work in Nevada City, Cal.; Sophia died when thirty-eight years old; Eliza lived in Galena; Sarah died at the age of twenty-eight. Of the second marriage there was born one child only, Mary, who is living in Franklin County, Iowa.

The marriage of Thomas Adams and Miss Carrie J. Combellick was celebrated at the home of the bride, in Alden, Iowa, Jan. 1, 1878. Mrs. Adams was born in Guilford Township, April 27, 1856, and completed her education in the German-English College at Galena. Her parents were natives of England, and are now living at Alden, Iowa. Six children comprised the household circle of our subject, and were named, respectively: Jessie E., Sarah L., John W., Thomas H., and R. E.; they are all at home with their parents. Raymond N. died when three years old. Mr. Adams is greatly interested in the success of the temperance cause, and is identified with the Prohibition party. He has been a Petit Juror twice; School Director in East Galena; Road Supervisor and Health Officer. He has been School Director in Scales Mound Township two terms. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Mr. Adams officiating as Trustee, and he has served as Superintendent of the Sunday-school. His brother Samuel, during the late Civil War, enlisted in Company C, 45th Illinois Infantry, serving from 1861 until the spring of 1865. He was wounded in the breast by a spent ball, but further than this received no serious injury. John Adams also served one year in the army as a member of Company F, 7th Illinois Cavalry.

A nephew of Mr. Adams, Sherman Poole, lives with him. He was born at Vesta, Grand Island, Ill., Oct. 20, 1870. His mother died at her home in Galena, March 28, 1880; and Sherman has since lived with his uncle, our subject.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)