EDWARD ELMER ADAMS

Edward Elmer Adams gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. May 13, 1885 in Carbon, Lincoln Township, Adams County, IA
D. November 14, 1956 in Highland Park, Lake County, IL
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  • Father: Corporal Dempster Adams born February 10, 1837 in Chenago County, NY; Civil War Veteran with Co. H, 153rd Illinois infantry residing in Avon Township, Lake County, IL enlisting February 15, 1865, mustered out September 21, 1865; married Anna White on September 5, 1858 in Volo, Lake County, IL; Dempster died February 18, 1925 in Corning, Adams County, IA; buried in Lincoln Center Cemetery, Lincoln Center, Adams County, IA;

According to the Adams County Free Press (Corning IA) Friday, February 20, 1925, page 1:

“THREE OLD CITIZENS CALLED – All Old Time Residents of Adams County – Demster (sic) Adams who is well known in the community died Wednesday morning at four o’clock.  The funeral services will be held Friday at 2:00 p. m., at Lincoln Center church and interment will be made in Lincoln Center cemetery.  A very short service will be held from the home of his son, Charles, before leaving with the body for Lincoln Center.  E. S. Manoher will be in charge of both services.  Mr. Adams was born in Chenango county, N. Y., February 10, 1837 being 88 years and 8 days old at the time of his death.  In 1840 he came with his parents to Avon, Ill., where they settled on a farm.  On September 5, 1858, Mr. Adams was married at Volo, Ill. to Miss Anna White, and to this union ten children were born, four of whom are now living.  They are: Burt Adams, of St. Joseph, Mo.; George of Franklin, Nebr.; Edward, of Gray’s Lake, Ill., and Charles, of Corning.  Mr. Adams’ wife died September 29, 1904.  Beside the children above named, this good man leaves 19 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  Mr. Adams was a veteran of the civil war, being a member of Company H. 153rd Illinois volunteer infantry.  He was a member of the local G. A. R. post.  He became a Christian and united with the church at the age of 21, and was a member of the Corning M. E. church at the time of his death.  Mr. and Mrs. Adams came to Iowa in 1876 and settled near Villisca, from where they moved to Lincoln township, in Adams county, which was the family home until about five years ago.  Since that time Mr. Adams has made his home with his son, Charles, in this city.  Mr. Adams was another of Adams county time odl pioneers to pass from this life but whose influence will never depart from the history of the county.  He was a splendid example of fine manhood and his death is a source of grief to many.”

  • Mother: Anna M. (White) Adams born June 23 1842 in New York; Anna died September 29, 1904; buried in Lincoln Center Cemetery, Lincoln Center, Adams County, IA;

According to the Adams County Free Press (Corning IA) Wednesday, October 5, 1904, page 8:

“Mrs. Dempster Adams died on last Thursday at her home in Lincoln township after an illness of several months. She was 63 years of age.  Anna Clark was born in new York City June 1, 1841, and in 1848 was married in Lake county, Ill, to Dempster Adams, who survives her.  They removed to Adams county in 1878 and have made their home in the county ever since.  She was the mother of twelve children, six of whom are living: Charles Adams, who lived with his parents, J. W. Adams of Lincoln township, Lorenzo C., Burton D., George C., and Edward Adams, who live in South Dakota.  She was a loving wife and mother and a good friend and neighbor and enjoyed the esteem of many friends.  The funeral was held Saturday morning at 11 o’clock from the Lincoln Center church, the services being conducted by Rev. A. Y. Cupp.  Interment was made int the Lincoln Center cemetery.”

  • Wife: Clara Belle “Belle” (Hall) Adams born July 1879 in Grayslake, Lake County, IL, daughter of Charles Foster Hall (1841-1926) and Mary C. (Fonger) Hall (1850-1926); Belle died December 11, 1945 in Rochester, Olmsted County, MN (See section pertaining to Clara Belle “Belle” (Hall) Adams buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Siblings:
    • Hattie Adams born about 1864 in Illinois; Hattie died October 1879 at home in Iowa from “dropsy of heart”
    • Lorenzo Adams born about 1867 in Illinois
    • John William “William” Adams born July 21, 1868 in Illinois; married Etta Figgins on February 15, 1900; John died February 21, 1921 in Corning, Adams County, IL

According to the Adams County Free Press (Corning IA) Saturday, February 26, 1921, page 9:

“J. W. Adams passed away quite suddenly Monday morning at 5 o’clock at his home in this city, having suffered for some time with bronchial asthma. The funeral was held Thursday morning at 10 o’clock at the Methodist church, the services being conducted by the pastor.  Jay Kirkendall.  The body was taken to Tabor, his former home, where interment was made beside a little son.  John William Adams, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dempster Adams, was born in the state of Illinois, July 21, and born was aged 52 years and 7 months.  When a child of nine years his parents removed to Iowa and settled on a farm in Douglas township where he grew to manhood and was married to Miss Etta Figgins, February 15, 1900, removing to Tabor in 1912, which was the home until recently, when the family returned to Corning.  Besides his wife he leaves the following children: Lloyd at Camp Travis, Tex., Harold and Mrs. Fred Boyce at Tabor and Fred and Harry at home.  Also his father who resides in Corning, and the following brothers: Lorenza of Tankton, S. D.; Bert of St. Joe, Mo.; George of Nebraska, Ed of Chicago and Charles who is with the father.  Mr. Adams was a kindly gentleman, honest and straightforward, and ill though he was, he did nobly by his little family and held the respect of his friends.”

    • Burton D. Adams born March 1871 in Illinois; married Nellie M. Bartles (1876-?) on December 4, 1897 in Carbon, Adams County, IA, daughter of Jacob Bartles and Susan (Cunningham) Bartles.
    • George C. Adams born 1875 in Illinois; married (1) Flora E. (1874-1937); married (2) Mytle Alice Irish (1883-1966) as her second husband; George died 1961; George, Flora and Mytle are buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin, Franklin County, NE.
    • Charles Leroy Adams born February 13, 1880 in Carbon, Adams County, IA; married Alice Mabel Duer (1881-1966) on January 28, 1906 in Adams County, IA, daughter of William Townsend Duer (1850-1926) and Mary Ella (Hicks) Duer; Charles died January 28, 1937 in Corning, Adams County, IA; Charles and Alice are buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Corning, Adams County, IA

Additional Information:

According to the 1900 U.S. Census for Lincoln Township, Adams County, IA the household members were:

“Dempster Adams, head, born February 1837, age 63, married for 41 years, born in New York, father born in New York, mother born in Connecticut, occupation: farmer; Anna M. Adams, wife, born June 1842, age 57, married for 41 years, 12 children born, 6 children living, born in New York, parents born in Connecticut; Charles L. Adams, son, born February 1880, age 20, single, born in Iowa, occupation: farm laborer; Edward E. Adams, son, born May 1885, age 15, single, born in Iowa, occupation: farm laborer.”

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Fremont Township, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Elmer Hoffman, head, age 23, married once for 0 years, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois, occupation: farmer – general farm; Mary Hoffman, wife, age 19, married once for 0 years, 1 child born, 1 child living, born in Illinois, parents born in Pennsylvania; George Allan Hoffman, son, age 4/12, single, born in Illinois; Edward E. Adams, hired man, age 23, single, born in Iowa, father born in Illinois, mother born in New York, occupation: farm laborer – working out; William Johns Jr., hired man, age 16, single, born in Missouri, parents born in Germany, occupation: farm laborer – working out.”

According to the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918:

“Name: Eddie Elmer Adams; Permanent Home Address: Grays lake, Lake County, Ill; Age in Years: 32; Date of Birth: May 13 1886; Race: White; U.S. Citizen: Native Born; Present Occupation: laborer; Employer’s Name: Inderrieden Canning Co., Grayslake, Lake County, Ill; Nearest Relative: Mrs. Belle Adams, wife; Address: Grayslake, Lake, Ill; Height: Tall; Build: Slender; Color of Eyes: Blue; Color of Hair: Brown; Signed: Sept. 10, 1918”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Grays Lake Village, Avon Township, Lake County, IL living on Park St., the household members were:

“Edward Adams, head, 33, married, born in Iowa, parents born in U.S., occupation: laborer – wire mills; Belle Adams, wife, age 40, married, born in Illinois, father born in New York, mother born in Canada, occupation: chief operator – telephone company.”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Grayslake Village, Avon Township, Lake County, IL living on Slusser St., the household members were:

“Edward E. Adams, head, age 43, married at age 24, born in Iowa, parents born in New York, occupation: machinist – R. R. roundhouse; Belle C. Adams, wife, age 50, married at age 31, born in Illinois, father born in New York, mother born in Canada.”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Grayslake, Avon Township, Lake County, IL living on Slusser St., the household members were:

“Edw. E. Adams, head, age 54, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in Iowa, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: machinist helper – R. Road roundhouse; Belle Adams, wife, age 60, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935.”

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942:

“Name: Edward Elmer Adams; Place of Residence: Grays Lake, Lake County, Ill; Mailing Address: Same: Telephone: Grays Lake 4601; Age in Years: 55; Date of Birth: May 13, 1886; Born in Carbon, Iowa;  Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. Belle Adams, Grays Lake, Ill.; Employer’s Name and Address: C. M. St. Paul and Pacific RR Co., Chicago; Height: 5-9; Weight: 175; Eyes: Gray; Hair: Gray; Complexion: Ruddy; Signed April 27 – 1942.”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Grays Lake Village, Lake County, IL, the household members were:

“Edward E Adams, head, age 64, widowed, born in Iowa, Occupation: Machinist helper – Railroad”

According to the Lake County Illinois Genealogical Society. “Strang Funeral Home – Grayslake, Illinois – 1908-1964”. Mundelein IL. 2015:

“Surname: ADAMS; Name: Edward Elmer; Birth Date/Place: 27 Feb 1905 (sic); Death Date/Place: 14 Nov. 1956, Highland Park Hospital; Cause of Death: Perforated Esophagus; Married; Occupation: Mechanic; Minister – Funeral Home: Chapel; Burial Place – Next of Kin: Fort Hill”