My Genealogy Hound

Rev. I. O. Adams, rector of the Episcopal Church at Pine Bluff, and a man whose character and influence are above criticism, is a native of Alabama, having been born in Mobile in 1852. James I. Adams, his father, was of Richmond, Va., nativity, and a merchant in Mobile, who died at the age of thirty-five in 1855. The latter’s wife was Henrietta C. Bickley, of Mobile, Ala., daughter of Dr. Walter O. Bickley, a man of some prominence in that State. Samuel J. Adams, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, of England, married a daughter of Judge Innes, of Frankfort, Ky., whose family were widely known and influential in Scotland; they were early settlers in this country, and served in the Revolutionary War. James I. Adams was the youngest of a family of seven children, and was reared in Virginia till the age of seventeen, when he went to Alabama. His son, I. O., grew to manhood in that State, and there attended school. He took a literary course at the University of the South, in Sewanee, Tenn., graduating in 1873, after which he studied theology, and in 1875 was ordained, in 1878 taking priest orders. In 1883 he came to Arkansas, and for three years was rector of St. John’s Church at Camden. He then came to Pine Bluff, and has since been in charge at Trinity Church. He has been called upon to act in various official capacities, having served as a delegate to the general convention six years, trustee of the University of the South six years, and president of the standing committee of the diocese of Arkansas six years, which office he still holds. The first four years of his ministry were passed in Texas, at Matagorda, where May 5, 1878, he was married to Miss Annie Barbour, who was born in 1857, and the daughter of William D. and Mary E. (Williams) Barbour. Mr. Barbour served in the Mexican War, edited a paper in Kentucky for several years, and finally moved to Texas, where he lived till his death, having held the offices of assessor and collector. He was a lawyer by profession. Mrs. Adams’ mother died when she was born. To our subject and wife have been born Harry Thornton, May Brunson, Ethel Barbour, James Innes (deceased), and Mary Evelyn (deceased). Mrs. Adams is an active worker in the church, and a substantial and worthy aid to her husband in his efforts. Mr. Adams is a member of the A. F. & A. M., having taken all the degrees; is a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight Templar, and High Priest and Prophet of the Mystic Shrine, a member of the I. O. O. F., and secretary of the Royal Arcanum, belonging also to the Legion of Honor and the Knights of Honor. He is well known, and with his family enjoys universal respect and esteem.