John T. Adams
John T. Adams, one of the best known and most popular citizens of Amanda township, who has resided on his fine farm of 127 acres in section 10 for a half century, was born February 29, 1832, in Champaign County, Ohio, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Long) Adams.
The parents of Mr. Adams were natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. The moved to Amanda township, Allen County, in the spring of 1833, taking their children into into the wilderness with the expectation of founding for them a comfortable home and rearing them well, although home might for a time be without the advantages of more civilized localities. But the father was killed by a falling tree, when our subject was only four years old, an accident not unusual at that time. The mother was left with five little children to rear, which she did nobly and well lending two of them to their country in its days of peril.
Mr. Adams settled in section 10, Amanda township, and built his log cabin on the banks of the Auglaize River, to which the Shawnee Indians often came; but, as far as we have been informed, with no evil intentions. Mr. Adams did not live to see the results of his several years of industry and probably never even imagined the transformation which has taken place. A part of his land he secured from the State and the remainder from a Mr. Russell, who resided near Piqua, to which point the family was obliged to go to mill. The mother survived to the age of 72 years and to her courage, industry, economy and good management, much of the family prosperity was due. She was deft in all housewifely arts of her day, could spin and weave, sew, bake and brew and, on occasion no doubt, assisted her sons in their tasks Her children hold her in loving remembrance. They were as follows: William, now deceased, who enlisted for three years in the Civil War, entering Company A, 81st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.; John T., of this sketch, who served 100 days in Company B, 151st Reg., Vol. Inf.; James of Champaign County, Ohio; and two deceased.
John T. Adams very early became accustomed to assist on the farm, and later, with his brothers, William and James, cleared and improved it. He was reared and educated mainly in Champaign County, to which the family removed about 1839, and was 22 years old when he came back to this county and entered into the serious business of developing a farm out of the forest. To-day it is one of the most valuable and beautiful farms on the river. Mr. Adams has added to its natural advantages by erecting a very handsome modern residence which overlooks the Spencerville and Lima turnpike road. He can relate many interesting incidents of the early days here, when the Indians traversed the forest surrounding the home, in pursuit of the wild game which abounded.
In 1867 Mr. Adams was united in marriage with Violet Russell, who is a daughter of Joseph and Celia Russell. She was born on a farm in Champaign County adjoining the one which was his birth place. They have one son, Charles F. The latter was born in Amanda township and was well educated in the public schools. He manages his father's farm, the latter having practically retired. He married Eva Travis and they have four children, viz: Ruth, John, named for his grandfather; James, named for his grand uncle; and Celia, who bears the name of her great-grandmother.
In 1900 Mr. Adams was elected a trustee of Amanda township and at the expiration of his term was reelected, but resigned in 1905. He is recognized as one of the useful, reliable and public-spirited men of the locality.
From History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Edited by Charles C. Miller. Richmond & Arnold, Publishers, Chicago, 1906