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 RS. OLIVE A. ADAMS, widow of Capt. William E. Adams, is well known throughout Charleston Township as having been the close friend and helpmeet of one of its most highly respected citizens. Capt. Adams was a native of Bedford County ,Tenn., born Oct. 15, 1830, and the son of John J. and Martha (Gammill) Adams, who became residents of Coles County in December, 1830. They located in what is now Pleasant Grove Township, and became the parents of a family of seven children, of whom the record is as follows: Elizabeth is the wife of R. P. Brown, of Hillsboro; Eliza married Dr. S. A. Reel, of Oakland ; Martha is the wife of Thomas West, a merchant of Western Texas; Margaret, Mrs. John Grimes, is a resident of Kansas, where her husband is conducting a good farm; David married Miss Hannah Harris, of this county, and is farming in Benton County, Ark.; John A., who served as a Union soldier, died in the army of typhoid fever; William E., of our sketch, was the eldest. John J. Adams engaged in farming all his life, and gave his children an excellent practical education. William E. remained steadily at home until fifteen years old, and early in life distinguished himself as an ambitious boy of more than ordinary intelligence. At the age mentioned, he commenced buying and herding stock, and driving to Wisconsin. In the meantime he occupied his leisure moments in the reading of law, and made such proficiency, that in 1857 he was admitted to the bar, receiving his credentials at Madison, Wis. He at once commenced the practice of his chosen profession at Mattoon, this county, which he continued until after the outbreak of the Rebellion. After watching the fruitless struggle until August, 1862, he could content himself at home no longer, and accordingly enlisted in the 123d Illinois Infantry, being at once chosen as Captain of Company I. He was engaged in the battles of Perryville, Ky., Chattanooga, Chickamauga and Farmington, Tenn., during which he received three wounds and deported himself as a brave and unflinching soldier. He possessed in a remarkable degree the respect of his superior officers and the affection and esteem of his subordinates. After the surrender of Lee, he returned with his comrades to Springfield, Ill., and was mustered out as Major. Upon his return to civil life, Capt. Adams was destined to play an important part in the affairs of Coles County. He soon became Clerk of the Court, and at the expiration of his first term, was re-elected. He was chosen to the position of County Judge in 1873, and served with marked ability until 1877. Besides being entrusted with other important matters he was a member of the City Council for three years, and Secretary of Coles County Old Settlers’ Society. Everything pertaining to the moral and intellectual welfare of the people around him uniformly received his considerate attention. He was one of the pillars of the Presbyterian Church, in which he served as an Elder for many years, and was also connected with the Board of Education. At his death, which occurred on the 21st of September, 1884, the Coles County Bar passed resolutions of respect, as did also the Knights of Honor, the I. O. O. F., and Charleston Post No. 271, G. A. R. The marriage of Capt. Adams and Miss Olive A. Holton, of Blue Mound, Wis., took place at the home of the bride’s parents in Blue Mound, in 1859. Mrs. Adams was the daughter of David and Olive (Green) Holton, natives of Vermont, who emigrated to Wisconsin from Bedford in 1853. They located upon a tract of land in Blue Mound Township, engaged in farming, and were numbered among the most highly respected residents of that section. They possessed the kindly and reliable traits of an excellent English ancestry, and reared a family of six children, as follows: Sarah, the eldest daughter, became the wife of V. M. Fairbanks, a farmer of Minnesota; Mary, Mrs. W. Sawyer, continues to reside in her native State of Vermont; Maria, who was the wife of Samuel Clarke, died in Springfield, Mass., several years ago; Harriet is the wife of J. Jameson, a carpenter of Mattoon; Olive, Mrs. Adams, was the fifth child; Jane, Mrs. E. B. Needham, is sojourning in Delight, Neb., where her husband is engaged in the hardware trade. David Holton departed this life at Madison, Wis., on the 17th of January, 1870. The mother survived her husband over six years, her death occurring at Charleston, Dec. 17, 1876. She was a member of the Congregational Church. and a lady held in high regard for her many estimable qualities. The children of Capt. and Mrs. Adams, five in number, were John H., Jennie M.; Sarah S., the wife of S. M. Leaitch, and the mother of one child, Marion; William E. and Olive E. Mrs. Adams has a fine home in the southern part of the city, and is surrounded by all the comforts of life, while enjoying the affection of her children and a large circle of friends. |
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