Van J. Adams was born in Ross county, Ohio, in December, 1803, and was brought up a miller. At the age of nineteen he quit the milling business, and taught school for about ten years. Upon coming to Illinois he settled first in Sangamon county, where he remained for several years, and in 1836 came to Whiteside county and made a claim two miles east of Sterling, on which he resided until his death. After Mr. Adams moved to Rock river he devoted his entire time to the cultivation of the soil, and stock raising. He acquired a large property, and was one of the solid farmers of Whiteside county. From 1850 to 1852, he represented Whiteside and Lee counties in the General Assembly of the State with an ability that was duly recognized and acknowledged. Being domestic in his tendencies, he afterwards resisted the often repeated solicitations of his fellow citizens to accept public positions.
On the 29th of October, 1828, he married Miss Marian Ritchie, the children of the marriage being: Matthew R., born August 26, 1829; Josiah, born December 31, 1831; James, born September, 1832; Maria P., born October 19, 1836; Josiah Quincy, born April 22, 1842; Francis J. W., born January 19, 1845; Harden J., born November 16, 1847, and Robert, born August 16, 1850. Josiah and James died in infancy. Josiah Quincy died in November, 1860.
Matthew R., married Miss Mary Ann LeFevre, May 13, 1852; children, Van J., Emma Maria, and Edmund L.; Van J., died November 5, 1854; Mrs. Adams died January 16, 1860, and on the 29th of September, 1864, Mr. Adams married Miss Phoebe J. Whitney; children, Ada May, and Maud who died August 4, 1870; Mr. Adams enlisted as a Sergeant in Company B, 13th Illinois Volunteers, and served three years, the entire time of his enlistment; during the whole time, he was never on the sick list, and was on duty every day; he participated with his regiment in all its battles and marches; and was especially noted for his bravery and soldier like conduct; be was honorably mustered out and paid in Springfield,, Illinois, in June, 1864; he has been Supervisor of the township of Coloma for several terms, and is one of its worthy citizens.
Maria P married Ward Bowman, May 13, 1856; children: Frank J., Grant J., and Edmund.
Harden J. married Miss Louisa Williamson, December, 25,1870; children: Van J., and Mary F., the former dying in infancy; Mr. Adams is an Attorney and Counsellor at Law, and resides at La Fayette, Indiana; he is an industrious and close student, and has an extensive practice.
Frances J. W. married F.W. Eastman, now one of the editors and proprietors of the Sterling Gazette, July 24, 1872, and died February 25, 1877, without children,
Van J. Adams died April 1871, the immediate cause of his death being the kick of a vicious horse. Mrs. Adams died September 9, 1871.
Bent-Wilson History of Whiteside Co 1877 Pg 400
Van J. Adams, a native of Ohio, came to the Sterling area with his family in 1835 and settled on land two and one-half miles east of Sterling. Adams was a Mayflower descendant and traced his lineage back to Edward Fuller who came to America on the Mayflower in the year 1620.
At the time Adams arrive dhere, Whiteside COunty was not organized and he was one of the delegates to the convention which organized the county. He was also elected justice of the peace of what was then called the "Elkhorn Precinct."
Afterwards Adams was elected a representative for Lee and Whiteside COunties in the state legislature where he gained a reputation as a public official. Tow of Adams sons served in the Civil War. In politics he was a member of the old Whig Party and afterwards a strong Republican.
From the Daily Gazette 1 July 1976 Bi-Centennial Edition
