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NAVIGATION
Michigan
Histories
Cass County
Biographies
Online Biographies
Illinois
Histories
Also see [Railway Officials in America 1906]
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Thomas W. Adams was born in Buffalo, N. Y., March 6, 1882. His parents, John and Lilly (Shankland) Adams, were
natives of Scotland, and came to this county in 1826. The elder Adams was a manufacturer of "Paisley shawls"
in the old country, but established himself here in the wholesale and retail dry goods business, which he carried
on extensively for many years. Thomas W. received a liberal common school education and at the age of sixteen commenced
life as a clerk in a hardware store in Palmyra, N. Y. After several changes of location, he came to Dowagiac in
1868, where, with the exception of a few intervals, he has since resided. He first engaged in the grocery business,
but that class of merchandising not proving congenial, he engaged in the express business, and after a brief connection
with a hardware house in Chicago, he returned to Dowagiac, and associated himself with the hardware firm of Ross
& Co. In 1868, he bought into the firm, and has since been a member. Mr. Adams has not only connected himself
prominently with the business interests of this city, but has in all matters of public import taken a prominent
part. He has filled acceptably several positions of trust and responsibility. In 1879, was Mayor of the city. In
1854, Mr. Adams was united in marriage with Miss Adelia, daughter of Asa Lyon, of Van Buren County. She was born
in Catherine, Schuyler County, N. Y., April 15, 1832. They have a family of four children- Adelia, George, Thomas
W., Jr., and Charles W.
FROM:
History of Cass Couny, Michigan
With Illistrations and Biographical Sketches
of some of it's Prominent Men and Pioneers.
Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago 1882.
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