My Genealogy Hound

Francis M. Adams, a substantial and prominent citizen of Washington Township, Dallas Co., Mo., was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., January 24, 1832, and is the son of Philip and Rebecca (Nanny) Adams, natives of Virginia. The father died in Dallas County, Mo., in 1859, at the age of fifty-six years. The mother is still living, in her eightieth year, is a resident of the last named county, and is a member of the Christian Church. The father is a Democrat in politics, was constable while living in Tennessee, and during the mustering of the militia was major. He started life without means, but was a successful farmer, and was in comfortable circumstances at the time of his death. During the Mexican War he enlisted, but was never called into the service. He was the father of seven children four now living: Francis M., Martin V., Jasper N. and Julia D. At the age of eighteen Francis M. Adams engaged in the mercantile business at Conyersville, Tenn., and was in business there eleven years or until 1859, when he came to Missouri, and located m Dallas County intending to go into the mercantile business, but on account of the war abandoned this idea. In June 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Woods’ Battalion, Confederate service, and was on duty until his surrender at Shreveport, La., in June 1865. He was orderly sergeant most of the time, when not holding the office of lieutenant. He was in many battles-Pea Ridge, Camden, Alexander and Price’s raid. He received a flesh wound at Indianapolis. Mr. Adams was a heavy loser by the war, and after that eventful period he went back and located in Henry County Tenn., where he farmed and dealt in stock for eleven years. He then came back to Dallas County, Mo., where he has since resided. Previous to the war December 20, 1855, he married Miss Emily A. Simmons, daughter of Levi and Eliza Simmons, and a native of Henry County, Tenn., born November 14, 1837; she died in Dallas County, Mo., May 22, 1859. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and an excellent woman. To this union was born one daughter, Elzerene, wife of B. F. Norris, now of Henry County, Tenn. December 20, 1860, Mr. Adams married Miss Rebecca J. Haymes, daughter of William and Rebecca Haymes, natives of East Tennessee, Hawkins County. She was born in what is now Webster County, Mo., April 22, 1844, and by her marriage became the mother of six children, three of whom are now living: Emily D., wife of Christopher H. Whittenburg, farmer m Dallas County; William A. and Alta J. Those deceased are: Frances R., who was the wife of G. B. Franklin and who died December 2 1886, when twenty-two years of age; Mary O., an infant, and Philip A., who also died when an infant. Mr. Adams is a farmer by occupation, is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.