BIOGRAPHY: Simon ADAMS, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 165-66
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SIMON ADAMS, an enterprising farmer and lumber merchant, of Black Lick township, 
this county, whose success has been due to his own unaided efforts, and the 
exercise of prudence, energy, and perseverance, is a son of John Q. and Ann 
(Frazier) Adams, and was born near Everett, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, 
February 15, 1846.  His grandfather, Josiah Adams, was born on the eastern shore 
of Maryland, but early in life removed to Bedford county, where he resided at 
the time of his death.
     John Q. Adams, father, was born in Montgomery county, Maryland, January 12, 
1813.  He received his education in the old subscription schools of half a 
century ago, and as a means of gaining a livelihood learned the trade of a 
miller, which pursuit he followed all his active life, first in his native 
county, then he removed to Cambria county about 1850, and engaged in his chosen 
avocation until 1871, at which time he removed to Coshocton county, Ohio, where 
he remained until his death, which occurred February 4, 1877.
     In political opinion he was a republican, and during his residence in Black 
Lick township, this county, served as justice of the peace for several years.
     He married Miss Ann Frazier, a daughter of John Frazier, of Bedford county, 
Pennsylvania, and their union was blessed in the birth of eight children:  Susan 
M., wife of George W. Reed, of Morrellville, this county; William H. H., of Penn 
Run, Indiana county, Pennsylvania; Emma, deceased; Simon, Thomas O., of 
Coshocton, Ohio; Nancy, the wife of J. H. Carter, of Nebraska; George B., of 
Newark, Ohio, and John H., of Chicago, Illinois.
     Simon Adams received his education in the common schools of Black Lick 
township, this county, and during his boyhood worked in the mill for his father, 
who was located at that time in the above township.  On reaching maturity he 
began life on his own account as a farmer.  He owns one hundred and fifty acres 
of farm and woodland in Black Lick township, which ranks as a very desirable 
piece of property.  In addition to his agricultural interests he does a large 
and prosperous lumber business.
     He is a man of energy and enterprise, and possesses those qualities 
necessary to a successful business career.
     He served in the late war, enlisting June 13, 1863, in company E., 
Battalion of Emergency men, and received his discharge August 8, 1863.  
September 19, 1864, he re-enlisted for three years or during the war, and was 
immediately attached to the Army of the Potomac, which was at that time in front 
of Petersburg.  Some of the important engagements in which he participated are:  
the battle of Hatcher's Run, Weldon railroad, where they had several days' 
fighting; the following spring the second battle of Hatcher's Run; Gravel Run, 
Five Forks, High Bridge, and Appomattox Court House, and was present at the 
surrender of General Lee.  May 31, 1865, he was mustered out of service.
     In political opinion he is a republican, and has occupied many offices of 
trust and honor in his township, and now, for the first time in twenty-one 
years, is free from the responsibilities of an office-holder.
     He is a member of John M. Jones Post, No. 560, G. A. R., of Ebensburg, this 
county, and of Highland Lodge, No. 428, I. O. O. F., of Ebensburg.
     In religious faith he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in  
which he has been a steward for a number of years.
     March 13, 1868, he wedded Miss Maggie Nipps, a daughter of John Nipps, of 
Black Lick township.  To this union were born three children:  Orr, who died 
September 5, 1893; Bert, and William, at home.