Biographical Sketch of John F. Adams, Franklin County, Missouri >From "History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and Gasconade Counties", Biographical Appendix, Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888. ********************************************************************** John F. Adams, bridge contractor and practical blacksmith, is a resi- dent of New Haven, and a native of Virginia, born in 1839. His parents George and Nancy (Anderson) Adams, were also natives of Virginia, where they were reared, married, and where the father died in 1847. The mother is still living. Our subject was reared by the filial care of a mother, and secured a fair education in the common schools. In 1859 he went to St. Louis, and from there to Louisiana, MO., where he worked at his trade. He made a trip to his home in 1860, but soon returned to Louisiana at about the time of the breaking out of the late war. He espoused the Union cause, and, in August, 1861, enlisted in Company H, of Henderson's brigade, and after about five months' service (the time of enlistment) he re-enlisted February, 1862, in Company C, Third Miss- ouri Cavalry, and remained in service in Arkansas and Missouri until March, 1865, participating in all the engagements in which his command took part. He was captured at Centerville, MO., just before Christmas, 1863, and held a prisoner four days, when he was retaken by his comm- and. He was discharged at Macon City in March, 1865, after which he returned to Louisiana, MO., and resumed his trade. In 1866 he wedded Miss Martha C., a native of Indiana, and the daughter of John S. and Elizabeth Tipton. Seven children were born to this union, only one now living, viz.: Ida R. In 1878 our subject left Louisiana and came to New Haven, where he has since made his home. He continued blacksmith- ing until about 1882, since which time he has engaged in contracting and building bridges for the county and for various railroad companies. He also runs his shop by employees. In 1880 he was chairman of the board of town trustees, and this was followed by three terms as mayor of the city. He has been a Republican in politics since the war, and cast his first presidential vote for S. A. Douglas. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., a member of the G. A. R., has taken one degree in Masonry, and belongs to the Baptist Church. Mr. Adams learned his trade in early life, and has followed it more or less ever since. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joe Miller Penny Harrell ====================================================================