Jefferson E. McAdams; Jackson, then Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller



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Jefferson E. McAdams, president of the Alexandria Bank and Trust Company and
of the McAdams & Company department store, two of the most important
enterprises of Alexandria, is a product of the farm, but for many years has
devoted himself to banking and mercantile activities. From modest beginnings
he has worked his way to prestige and independence through merit and
industry, and at the same time has maintained a position as a constructive
and progressive citizen.

Mr. McAdams was born on a farm in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, November 26,
1866, and is a son of George W. and Josephine (Kelley) McAdams, natives
respectively of Marion, Louisiana, and Jackson Parish, this state. George W.
McAdams, who was an agriculturist by vocation, moved to Texas in 1869, and
there passed the remaining years of his life, his wife also passing away
there. Mr. McAdams, whose family was from Alabama, volunteered for service
in the Confederate Army during the war between the states and served for
several years. He was also in the commissary department, and while making
syrup for the soldiers was badly injured in the arm by a sugar mill which he
was using. He was a democrat in his political views, but had little or no
connection with political matters. Mr. and Mrs. McAdams were faithful
members of the Baptist Church, and were the parents of five children, of
whom only Jefferson E. survives.

Jefferson E. McAdams attended the public schools of Texas and began his life
on a farm, but had no liking for an agricultural career and after five years
turned his attention to matters for which he felt he had the innate ability
and invested his little capital in a small store at Simsboro, Louisiana. He
continued to operate this modest enterprise for two years, at the end of
which time, looking for a broader field, he moved to Monroe and embarked in
the merchandise brokerage business. Later he formed a connection with the
Singer Manufacturing Company, at that time sweeping the country with sewing
machines, as salesman and collector, and eventually moved to Shreveport and
invested his capital in a liquor business, which he conducted from 1898 to
1908. In the latter year Shreveport voted itself "dry" and Mr. McAdams,
without a business, moved to Alexandria, where, in 1909, he engaged in a
mail order liquor business. When Rapides County voted for prohibition, Mr.
McAdams turned his attention again to mercantile lines and February 22,
1919, opened a large department store, the McAdams Company, Incorporated, of
which he has since been president, and which he has developed into one of
the leading enterprises of the city. He also has numerous other interests,
but devotes his time principally to the store and to the Alexandria Bank and
Trust Company, of which he was one of the organizers June 14, 1920, and of
which he has Since been president.

In August, 1903, Mr. McAdams was united in marriage with Mrs. Ollie
(Calcote) Rasberry, whowas born in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, and educated
there in the public schools. They have no children. Mrs. McAdams is a member
of the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally, Mr. McAdams belongs to the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Knights of Pythias, in the
former of which he is past chancellor commander and has represented his
lodge in the Grand Lodge of the state. He is a democrat in his political
views and has always taken an interest in politics, although not seeking
public office.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 218, by Henry E. Chambers. Published by
The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.