ALEXANDER ADAMS

ALEXANDER ADAMS is one of the active and enterprising agriculturists of Shelby Township, who came to the county in 1875. He was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, August 12, 1845, a son of William Adams, a native of Ireland, and Abigail (McGowan) Adams, of Washington County, Pennsylvania, who is of Scotch ancestry. There were ten children in the family, of whom our subject was the oldest. His youth was passed in school. When the late war broke out, though but a lad of sixteen, he went to the defense of his country's flag. He enlisted in December and was mustered into service January 1,1862, in the One Hundredth Pennsylvania Infantry Company A. He served three years and eight months. He was first under fire at the assault on Fort Lookout, James Island, South Carolina. He took au active part in the second Bull Run, South Mountain, Anita, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi, Campbell's Station, Knoxville, Tennessee, and the Wilderness, where he was wounded in the right thigh by a gun-shot. He was confined to the hospital five months at Washington, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. He rejoined his regiment in front of Petersburg, and was wounded a second time, January 21, 1865. He was confined to the hospital three months at City Point, Virginia. He rejoined his regiment and was honorably discharged July 24, 1865. His service was brave and gallant, a credit to any patriotic citizen. He returned to his home and in three weeks removed to Johnson County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming until 1870. He then went to Colorado and engaged in prospecting and mining until 1874, when he returned to Johnson County, Iowa. In 1875 he bought 240 acres where he has since lived. He has made many improvements, has a Rood house, a grove, and buildings for stock and grain. He was married January 1, 1880, to Miss Bessie Gurley, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Chambers) Gurley. Mr. Adams and wife are the parents of three children-Mary Annette, Nina Elsie and Harold Montford. Mr. Adams is a Republican, a member of the G. A. R. Post, No. 364, and a member of the Masonic order. He is a man still in the prime of life, jovial and cordial to all, honorable in business, and one of Shelby's most worthy citizens.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 385-386. Transcribed and submitted by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

Site Terms, Conditions & Disclaimer