The name of James F. McAdams is well known in hotel circles throughout the east. He is proprietor of the Winthrop Hotel and in its conduct displays something of the methods of the pioneer in that he has taken the initial step in introducing new and improved ideas in relation to hotel management, Meriden has reason to be congratulated upon having in her midst one who is so capable in this connection, for the upbuilding and development of a city depend in no small measure upon its hotels, which should furnish not only shelter and sustenance but entertainment to the traveler.
      Mr. McAdams was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, April 10, 1871, a son of James and Margaret McAdams. After attending the public schools of his native city he continued his education in the Bryant & Stratton Business College and started out to provide for his own support as an employe in a retail grocery store, where he worked for two years. He afterward spent two years in a wholesale grocery store in the capacity of bookkeeper, after which he became connected with the Fall River Line of Steamboats, being employed on the steamships Plymouth, Pilgrim and Providence, first as assistant purser and afterward as steward. He spent two seasons in that connection, after which he turned his attention to the hotel business, becoming associated with the Mellen House at Fall River. He later engaged in the restaurant business on his own account at Fall River and on leaving that place went to New Bedford, where he also conducted a restaurant. He next bought the Mansion House at New Bedford and was proprietor of that hotel for seventeen years. On the 1st of April, 1914, he purchased the Winthrop Hotel in Meriden and has since successfully conducted it. He has made many improvements in the Winthrop since taking charge, securing new furniture throughout and installing his own refrigerating plant. He has also redecorated the rooms and has a most attractive hotel, while his close study of the comfort of his guests has led to the substantial development of the business. That the Winthrop is liberally patronized is indicated in the fact that there, are now forty-two employes. Mr. McAdams is continually studying everything that bears upon successful hotel management and his uniform courtesy, straightforward dealing and progressive methods have been the salient features in the upbuilding of his success. He belongs to many hotel organizations, including the H. M. B. A., the American Hotel Proprietors' Association, the New York City Hotel Keepers' Asso-ciation, the New York State Hotel Keepers' Association and the New England Hotel Keepers' Association. He is likewise connected with the Massachusetts Hotel Keepers' Association and the Connecticut Hotel Keepers' Association and of the last named is a member of the executive committee.
     On the 12th of March, 1903, Mr. McAdams was married to Miss Ruth Nevers, of New York city, and they have one child, James B., who is now nearly two years of age. Politically Mr. McAdams is a republican and gives stalwart allegiance to the party but is not an office seeker. He belongs to the Colonial Club, to the Highland Club and to the Home Club and is prominent and popular in club circles. His chief recreation comes from golf. He is a Spanish war veteran and his military experience covers fourteen years' service under the colors. He was in frontier service from April until October, 1898. He first enlisted as a private and became second lieutenant. He acted as color sergeant from 1895 until 1899 and he has ever been much interested in the military organizations of the country. Mr. McAdams is closely connected with war activities, being treasurer of the Meriden war bureau, a member of the advisory and executive committees of the Red Cross, and is serving as food administrator for Meriden, giving his most earnest efforts to these important duties. He is actuated in all that he does by a spirit of progressiveness whereby the public interests of Meriden have benefited, while in the management of his hotel he has displayed an energy and insight that have brought splendid results. He ranks today with the foremost hotel proprietors of New England and his name is widely known in this connection.