John Q. Adams
John Q. Adams, farmer, was born in Perry Township, December 9, 1839, and is a son of Albert and Nancy (Coffey) Adams, natives of Pennsylvania. The father came with his parents in about 1810, and located in Perry Township. The mother, a daughter of John and Ruth Coffey, who came to this state in 1797, and lived near Chillicothe, then in 1800, removed to Greenfield, Highland County, and were among the first who settled in that village. Mr. Coffey was the first tavern keeper, and the first justice of the peace in Greenfield, and a little child of his was the first white person buried in the place.
The family of Albert Adams consisted of ten children: Ruth, Robert, Isabella, John Q., Samuel, Albert, three infants, and Nancy V.; those deceased, are three infants, Albert, and Samuel. The subject of this sketch spent his youth on the farm, received the rudiments of a common school education, and was married April 6, 1865, to Louisa J., daughter of Isaac and Mary Ann (Holliday) Anderson, who were the parents of three children: Louisa J., Sarah E,, and Robert C. Mr. and Mrs. Adams were blessed with the following named children: Minnie R., Harley I., Albert E., Mary B. and Isaac M. ; Minnie R., Harley I. and Mary B. have passed to the other shore.
Mr. Adams has about fifty-six acres of land, in a superior state of cultivation, situated on the Greenfield and Good Hope pike, four miles south of the latter place, and also a good farm in Missouri. He and his wife are exemplary Christians, and members of the First Presbyterian Church, of Greenfield; Mrs. Adams having been a member sixteen years, and associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church prior to her marriage. He has never aspired to any office, and is a Republican in politics.
Mr. Adams participated in the "late unpleasantness," being a private in Company C, 81st O. V. I. He was enlisted for three years; his regiment did noble service at the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Atlanta, and his time expired on the morning of the evacuation of Atlanta. He entered as private and was promoted to color sergeant. The 81st was made up principally of Highland County men, and was known as one of the most gallant regiments in the field.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County