Biography - Daniel Adams
Daniel E. ADAMS, baker and grocer, Raymond, was born in Macoupin County, October 13, 1840. His early childhood was spent in attending the common schools of his native county, and in assisting his father upon the homestead farm. At the age of twenty years, he embarked upon his career in life as a farmer, in Macoupin County, where he remained two years, and then removed to Montgomery County, and purchased forty acres of wild prairie land, which he improved and eventually sold. He then returned to the same section where his last farm was located, and purchased sixty acres of prairie land, which was partly improved. Soon after he sold it, and purchased 110 acres near by, and lived upon it three years, at the end of which time he sold out again and returned to Zanesville Township, and abought eighty acres. He continued in the occupation of a farmer until 1880, when he again sold out and removed to Raymond, where he purchased twenty-eight acres of village property, and entered into a grocery, at which business he was more than ordinarily successful, and by his energy, business habits, and the pleasing manner in which he attended to the wants of his customers, he built up a large trade. He eventually sold his interest and entered into partnership in a general mercantile business with W. H. WILBANKS, with whom he continued about one year, when he bought his partner's interest and continued in the business by himself. In January, 1882, he sold his business, and at present is engaged in conducting a bakery, grocery and restaurant, where, for the short time he has been in the trade, he has succeeded in building up a large and steadily increasing trade. He was married, October 24, 1860, to Elizabeth Jane WAGNER, who was born in Washington County, Ill., November 14, 1840. She is the mother of eight children - Emma Elnora, born in Macoupin County, August 19, 1861, wife of P. B. BURGO, now living in Nebraska; Anna Nevada, born August 2, 1863; Jacob L., born January 20, 1867; Charles W., born March 16, 1871; William H., born February 23, 1874; Viola Jane, born March 16, 1879, and two infants, deceased. Mrs. ADAMS is a daughter of Jacob D. and Lucinda (McDONALD) ADAMS, he born in Illinois, and one of the early settlers of Macoupin County, and still living; she, born in Tennessee, deceased. William C. ADAMS, the father of our subject, was born in West Virginia; moved from there to Tennessee, but eventually to Macoupin County, in 1827, a farmer by occupation. His death occurred January 21, 1853. His wife, Margaret WARD, was a native of Tennessee, and is still living. She is the mother of twelve children, of whom Daniel was the ninth child. He was elected Constable in 1873, and served one year. In 1874, he was elected a Highway Commissioner of Zanesville Township, and served three years. He has been an active member of the I. O. O. F. order for a number of years. Politically, his sympathies are with the Democratic party. Religiously, himself and wife are connected with the Christian Church.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, page 209.
