Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor
Page 1003
ADAMS, JOHN PORTER - Although pioneer days are now a thing of the past, memories of them are present with those who passed through their hardships and participated in the early struggles which have resulted in present developments. Looking back upon those day, however, though there are some who believe that the lessons they taught, and the molding of character that resulted from self-denial, more than made up for what was lacking in other ways. An excellent representative of those now engaged in tilling the soil which the efforts of pioneers redeemed from the wilderness, is John Porter Adams, of Section 15, Loami Township. He was born in Clark County, Ky., October 30, 1858, being a son of Robert and Sarah (Black) Adams, both natives of the same locality, and the families on both sides were numbered among the pioneers of that great State.
Robert Adams had five children by his first marriage: John P.; James R., a farmer of Wilson County, Kan.; Martha, wife of A. Anderson, a farmer of Oklahoma, eight children; and two who died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, he married again, his second wife being Lucinda Aldridge, who reared her step-children as her own. By the second marriage there were eight children, five of whom are surviving: Ellen, wife of William McPheeters, of Dodge City, Kan.; Anna, wife of George Shertz of Kansas; Minnie, wife of William White of Kansas; Ettie, wife of Homer Bristo, and Claud. Robert Adams moved to Hendricks County, Ind., about 1882; thence to Neosho County, Kan., locating on a farm, where he died in 1890, leaving an excellent property. In politics he was a Democrat. An earnest member of the Christian Church, he aided in its support, and advocated good educational advantages. His widow survives him, residing in Kansas.
John Porter Adams was educated in the several localities in which the family resides, remaining at home until he attained his majority, when he commenced working by the month for others. In 1887 he left Kansas and, coming to Loami Township, Sangamon County, fund employment, continuing to work by the month for five years, when he married, and in 1893 rented a small farm. In 1894 he moved to Curran Township, renting 100 acres, and was so successful that in 1901 he moved to Chatham Township, and rented 280 acres. In 1904 he sold his personal property and came to Section 15, Loami Township, where he bought seventy-five acres, paying $100 per acres. Since then he has so improved the property that it could not be bought today for double that price. Early in his operations Mr. Adams recognized the fact that nothing pays like a good grade of stock, and carries nothing but that kind, raising cattle, horses, hogs and sheep. His farming is carried on scientifically and he knows how to secure abundant crops and large returns on all his investments.
On December 24, 1891, Mr. Adams was united in marriage with Elizabeth Carson, daughter of W. P. Carson, one of the pioneers of this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are the parents of children as follows: Claud, born in Curran Township August 10, 1894 and William, born in the same township September 15, 1896. They have been carefully reared, well educated and are sons of whom any parents might well be proud. Mr. Adams has always given his support to every measure he deemed would work out for the betterment of his community and is now serving as Clerk of the School District, being identified himself with the Republican party. Both Mr. and Mrs. Adams are active members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and take their religion into their home and daily life. During all of their married life Mrs. Adams has been her husband's cordial sympathizer and assistant, and he appreciates how much of his success is due to her influence. This high standard of living has influenced others outside of the home circle and it would not be possible to estimate properly the good these two have accomplished in their own quiet way. Mr. Adams is an excellent farmer, a loyal citizen and a home-loving man, whose pride in his fine farm and still finer family is fully justified.