John E. Adams Biography


	This biography appears on pages 310-313 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JUDGE JOHN E. ADAMS.  

	Judge John E. Adams long occupied a central place on the stage of 
public activity in Brown county, which numbered him among its leading 
and valued citizens, for he rendered active aid in many public 
movements which resulted in benefit to the entire community. He was 
mayor of the city of Aberdeen, was county judge and was also receiver 
of the United States land office. His splendid service in these offices 
and his upright conduct in every relation of life gained for him the 
confidence, goodwill and high regard of all with whom he was 
associated.  

	His birth occurred in Patterson, New Jersey, May 13, 1857, his 
parents being John and Sarah J. Adams, both of whom were of Scotch-
Irish extraction. In his childhood days his parents removed to 
Pennsylvania and it was there that he acquired his early education in 
the public schools, later supplementing his course in Allegheny College 
at Meadville. While there he took up the study of law, made rapid 
progress in his studies and was admitted to the bar of the state in 
1880. For two years thereafter he practiced hew in Pennsylvania, but in 
the spring of 1882 sought the opportunities offered in the west, making 
his way to Iowa. He first settled in the southwestern part of the 
state, where he followed the practice of law until the spring of 1883, 
when he removed to the territory of Dakota, opening a law office in 
Columbia, then the county seat of Brown county. His professional 
ability soon gained him recognition and won for him a liberal and 
growing practice.  

	Moreover, the active part which Judge Adams took in public 
affairs led to his selection for mayoralty honors in 1887 and for one 
term he administered the affairs of that city as its chief executive. 
He removed to Aberdeen when that city was made the county seat of Brown 
county and became as prominent in that community as he had been in 
Columbia. In 1890 he was elected county judge and the excellent record 
which he made upon the trench led to his reelection for a second term. 
He was also judge of the probate court for eight years and in 1900 he 
was elected mayor of Aberdeen, giving to the city a businesslike 
administration, characterized by many needed reforms and improvements. 
In 1905 he was made receiver of the United States land office in 
Aberdeen and served with satisfaction to the government, to the patrons 
of the office and to all concerned until the office was removed to 
Timber Lake in 1911. With many movements for the upbuilding and 
improvement of Aberdeen he was closely associated, and his counsel and 
cooperation were greatly valued in such connections.  

	Judge Adams was married August 12, 1888, to Miss Martha E. 
Wilkinson, a native of Kankakee, Illinois, born April 15, 1867, her 
parents being William H. and Mary Wilkinson. Judge and Mrs. Adams 
became the parents of six children all but one of whom survive namely: 
Maple F.; Merle E.; Constance M.; Bessie M., who died at the age of 
three years, Mildred and Doris L.  

	The family circle was again broken by the hand of death when, on 
the 18th of May, 1912, Judge Adams was called from this life. All who 
knew him deeply regretted his loss, for he had made for himself an 
hoorable place in the community and his name was one which commanded 
respect and conficence. He was one of the prominent Masons of South 
Dakota, having attained the thirty-third degree, conferred only in 
recognition of high standing and of valued service rendered to the 
order. He likewise held membership with the Knights of the Maccabees, 
the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 
His political allegiance was given the republican party and he always 
studied closely the problems and questions of the day, giving thereto 
careful consideration and ever supporting the measures and movements 
which he deemed of greatest value to the community, Of the Protestant 
Episcopal faith, he belonged to St. Mark's church, contributed 
generously to its support and aided in its work. Of him it might well 
be said:  
		"His life was gentle and the elements 
		So mixed in him that Nature might stand up 
		And say to all the world 'This was a man.'"