Who has been connected with the schools of Clinton county since 1870, is a native of Iowa, and was born in Davis county. of that state, on the 23d of July, 1848. His father, Benjamin ADAMS, was born in Maryland, and in the year 1840, at the age of eighteen, came west to Indiana, in which state he afterwards married Sarah CARDWELL, who was born in Mercer county, Kentucky. In 1856 Mr. ADAM's parents moved to Iowa, and settled in Davis county. His father is now a resident of Bloomfield, the county seat of that county. The subject of this sketch is the third of eight children, of whom five are now living. He grew to manhood in Davis county. His early education was acquired in the log school-house in the neighborhood of his home. He attended school at Bloomfield on year. Then, at the age of eighteen, he began his career as a teacher, taking charge of a school in his native county. In the fall of 1868 he entered the State Normal School at Kirksville, Missouri, in which institution he was a student two years. After leaving the Normal School he came to Clinton county, and during the winters of 1870-1 and of 1871-2 taught a school a mile and a half east of Trenton. On the 29th of August, 1872, he married Harriet S. JOHNSON, daughter of Capt. A. H. JOHNSON, one of the oldest residents of Clinton county. In the fall of 1872 Mr. ADAMS became first assistant teacher in the public schools of Trenton, and, with the exception of the year 1875 (during which he taught a school four miles north of Trenton), he has since been connected with the Trenton schools. He was chosen principal of the schools in 1874, and in 1876 resumed that position, which he has since held. He has shown great proficieny in his profession, and under his management the schools of Trenton have acquired an excellent reputation for thoroughness and excellence. Mr. ADAMS holds one of the only two teachers' state certificates held in Clinton county. He has four children, named Stephen Adolph, Mabel Maud, Mary Maria, and Moritz Ginzel. He is an ardent democrat in politics, and one of the active supporters of the democratic party in Clinton county. He was clerk of the Board of Trustees of the town of Trenton from 1873 to 1879, and the first clerk of Sugar Creek township, after the adoption of township organization.

Source: History of Marion and Clinton Counties, Illinois, 1881, Brink, McDonough & Co., Philadelphia

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