My Genealogy Hound

H. W. ADAMS, owner of the roller mills of Tamaroa, stands among the foremost of the business men who have contributed to the financial prosperity of this part of the county. With true public spirit and characteristic liberality he has aided every enterprise that would in any way advance the welfare of the community. He is a native of New York, having been born in Cortland County, in 1830. There he grew to manhood, and after completing his schooling he embarked in agricultural pursuits, in which occupation he was engaged prior to his removal west, in 1855. In that year he located in Franklin County, this state, and launched out in the general mercantile business.

Being a true patriot, however, Mr. Adams, in August, 1862, sacrificed personal gain in order to defend the Union, and enlisting in Company B, Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry, was sent to join the Army of the Cumberland. With his regiment he participated in many of the hard-fought battles of the Rebellion. While before Chickamauga he was captured by the enemy, and for eighteen months was confined in southern prisons, spending six months of that time in the famous Libby Prison. Upon entering the service he had been made Lieutenant of his company, and when mustered out at the close of the war he held the rank of Captain.

When returning to the peaceful pursuits of life, our subject came to Tamaroa, in 1866, and embarking in the hardware business, continued thus engaged until 1874, when he disposed of his interests in that line, and has since devoted his attention to the manufacture of flour. His mill is supplied with the most approved machinery, and turns out a fine quality of flour.

Mr. Adams and his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Dawsen, are the parents of one son, W. H., who is interested with his father in the milling business. Our subject is an active politician, and during elections always votes with the Republican party. He is prompt and methodical in his business habits, is naturally very popular, and has many friends in the community where he has resided for so many years.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Preserved Adams, was a native of Massachusetts, which was also the birthplace of his son, the father of our subject, who also bore the name of Preserved. The latter, upon attaining mature years, removed to Cortland County, N. Y., when that now wealthy locality contained but two or three houses.