Biographical Sketch of Francis M. Adams, Washington County, Missouri

>From "History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and 
Gasconade Counties", Biographical Appendix, Goodspeed Publishing 
Company, 1888.

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Francis M. Adams, general merchant of Belgrade, is the son of Rev.
Nelson and Rebecca (Stephens) Adams, both born and reared in Tennessee,
where they were also married.  They lived in that State until 1830, 
when they came to Washington County and settled in that portion includ-
ed in Iron County.  The mother died in 1881, after which the father 
married Mrs. Henson.  He is a farmer by occupation, and is still living
in Iron County, being now seventy-nine years of age.  He was a Whig in
politics, and is now a Republican.  For about forty-eight years he has
been a minister of the Baptist Church.  He was one of the old time 
hunters, and by his first marriage became the father of fifteen child-
ren.  Francis M. was the tenth child born to his parents, his birth
occurring in the Washington fraction of Iron County, in 1842.  He rec-
eived his education on the old slab benches of early times, and in 1862
volunteered in Capt. W. T. Hunter's Company of Third Missouri Cavalry,
and served nearly three years, being sergeant nearly a year.  After the
war he taught school a term, and then turned his attention to agricul-
tural pursuits.  In 1868 he married Miss Martha, daughter of Rev. Isaac
Eaton, and a native of Crawford County.  To this union were born five
children, three now living: Monta, William and Aumon.  After marriage
Mr. Adams settled in Belgrade, and in 1872 began merchandising in a 
smoke house without a floor, the title of the firm being W. P. Adams &
Co., and their stock consisting of about $100 worth of staples.  They
soon built a magnificent box storehouse, 16x16, and this was enlarged 
by Mr. Adams, by an addition of a room, 20x24.  In 1882 he became sole
proprietor, and two years later he built the commodious house he now
occupies, with storeroom 60x30, and a warehouse 16x30.  In connection 
with merchandising he deals largely in stock and carries on farming,
owning nearly 1,000 acres.  When he began life he had nothing, but by
industry and good management he has made all his property, and is one 
of the successful business men of Belgrade.  For eight years he was
postmaster at Belgrade; is a Republican in politics and is a member of
the G. A. R.  Both he and Mrs. Adams are members of the Baptist Church.

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