WILLIAM T. ADAMS was born in Logan county, Kentucky, March 7, 1831. His father, Benjamin Adams, was born in Maryland, and his father was also from Maryland. He was also a farmer, who left Maryland for Kentucky about 1815, settled in Logan county and resided on his farm until his death. His wife's name was Sarah Bell, and she also died in Logan county. Benjamin Adams was about ten years old when his parents moved to Kentucky, and there he was reared, married and lived until 1830, when he came to Illinois and settled in what is now Brown county. He was accompanied by his wife and three children. He made the entire journey by team, making it in three weeks. He rented land a mile north of Mount Sterling for one year, and then bought timber land in sections 2 and 3 of the same township. He at once built a log cabin, making a comfortable home, although he had to hew the logs and built it himself. He lived upon the same farm until his death in 1873. His wife's name was Perneta Clark, born in Logan county, Kentucky, whose father, Abner, came from North Carolina, an early settler of Logan county, where he lived until 1835. He then sold out and came to Illinois, and bought in what is now Missouri township, improved his farm and resided there until his death. His wife's name was Nancy Gorham, of Kentucky. The mother of our subject is still living at the old home, aged eighty-six. He was two years old when he came with his parents to Illinois. Of course, in those days the people were obliged to live on game, fish and the product of their land. He, as many other pioneer boys, went to school in a log hut with seats of slabs. Holes in the side of the building served for windows. He resided with his father until his marriage, when he settled on the farm where he now resides.

He married, September 21, 1854, Ann Eliza Buvinger, of Martinsburg, Virginia, born November 15, 1853. Her father was born in Maryland, and her grandfather in Germany. The latter located in Baltimore when he came to America, and continued there until his death. The father of Mrs. Adams was a hatter. He went when a young man to Virginia, and there married Margaret McCormick, and in 1834 moved to Champaign county, Ohio, and in 1852 came to Illinois. He purchased a home in Mount Sterling, and here resided until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have four living children: Charles B., who married Sarah Briggs; Sarah, married to William Briggs; Thomas, married to Julia Harris, and William E.