My Genealogy Hound

ALFRED ADAMS. There is in the development of every successful life a lesson to everyone; for if a man is industriously ambitious and honorable in his ambition, he will undoubtedly rise to a position of prominence, whether having a prestige of family and wealth or the obscurity of poverty. We are led to these reflections in reviewing the life of Mr. Adams, who is Sheriff of Randolph County.

A native of this county, our subject was born within three miles of Chester, March 27, 1849, and is the son of James and Elizabeth E. (Easton) Adams. His parents were natives of Scotland, where they were married, and about 1839 emigrated to the United States, locating the following year in this county. They were farmers by occupation and were numbered among the well-to-do citizens of this section until their decease. The father died in March, 1883, when in his seventy-third year, and his good wife departed this life in April, 1873. They reared a family of seven children, of whom our subject is the only one now living.

Alfred Adams, of this sketch, passed his boyhood days on his father’s farm, pursuing the advantages open to him in the common schools. Having no taste for agriculture, he determined to gain a good education and thus fit himself to occupy almost any position in life. He took a course of study in McKendree College, at Lebanon, this state, and after completing his studies returned to the home farm, where he married Miss Clementina Cowing, March 23, 1869. Mrs. Adams was a native of England, and was born in Liverpool December 19, 1848. She was a daughter of Capt. Randolph K. Cowing, and was only eleven years old when she came to the United States. Her father, who was a sea captain, was lost on one of his trips while crossing the Atlantic.

Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been blessed with a family of three children, viz.: Minnie F., Natalie G. and Clementina B. In October, 1870, Mr. Adams came to this city, where he embarked in the retail grocery business, which he only carried on, however, for a twelve month. Later, he purchased a sale and livery stable in the city, of which he was the proprietor for eight years, during which time he managed his affairs in a most systematic manner. He was then compelled to dispose of his barns on account of being elected City Treasurer for a term of two years. For the succeeding three years he was engaged in the insurance business.

In 1886 Mr. Adams was honored by his fellow-townsmen by being elected County Treasurer for a term of four years on the Democratic ticket. He filled this office very acceptably, and was so popular in political circles that on the expiration of his term as Treasurer he was elected Sheriff of Randolph County, which position he is holding at the present time. He is discharging the duties thus devolving upon him with sound judgment, rare discrimination, tact and fairness, and the people are well satisfied with his manner of conducting the affairs of his office. He has been very prominent in the upbuilding of the county, and was one of the organizers of the Chester Improvement Company. Socially, our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and was one of the charter members of the lodge in the city of Chester.