Hon. John H. Adams, President sf the Second National Bank of Freeport, is a native of Berks Co., Penn., and was born July 12, 1822, his parents being Samuel and Catherine (Huy) Adams; he received his early education in the common schools, and, with a comprehensive course, at an academy at Trappe, Penn., was well prepared for active life; on leaving school he was apprenticed to the milling business; in 1844, he came to Stephenson Co., Ill. and located in what is now called Cedarville, and established himself in business as a flour and grain dealer and miller, in which he is still interested; he also purchased a farm in the vicinity; in 1847 he took a prominent part in calling a convention of land-owners and business men of the district which resulted in a concert of action thsat pushed to completion the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad; he appreciated the absolute necessity for obtaining an outlet for the produce of that region by railway, and he exerted himself to draw the attention of the people to it and to induct, them to subscribe for stock in the enterprise; in 1854, he was elected to the State Senate as a Republican, and held the seat continuously for sixteen years, retiring in 1870.

In 1844 he was married to Miss Sarah Weber, daughter of Col. Weber, of Kreiderville, Penn.; she died in 1863, and in 1868, he married Mrs. William Halderman, of Freeport; he lives at Cedarville, where be is very highly esteemed as an artist and public spirited citizen; he was energetic in his support of the Union cause during the war; in 1864, he aided in the organization of the Second National Bank of Freepurt, and was elected its President; he retains that position at the present time; he is regarded throughout the district as a political leader of the highest type, and, both politically and socially, enjoys the confidence of all classes; he has been urged, upon several occassions, to become a candidate for Congress, to which he could have been elected, with but little, if any, opposition, but has declined; he is a gentleman of fine culture and of sound judgment, and has justly earned prominence in public estimation in both civil and private affairs.

Contributed by Christine Walters
History of Stephenson County 1880 Western Historical Society