The subject of this sketch was born in April 1837, being the son of John Adams, mayor of St. Charles, Missouri, who died in 1868. John Adams was the youngest brother of Robert H. Adams, United States Senator, who died during senatorial service. H. W. Adams was first instructed by his father, a man of superior education, and after some years’ study joined his parent in agricultural pursuits. In 1855 he left home, and worked at the carpenter trade in Arkansas. In 1859 he moved to Skulliville, Choctaw Nation, and was soon appointed architect contractor for Fort Coffee and New Hope Academy buildings, besides many other institutions. When the war broke out he joined Company B, First Arkansas Cavalry, and was in several hard-fought battles among them that of Wilson Creek, where fifteen of his comrades fell. Later he joined the Commissary and Quartermaster’s Department, where he remained until disbanded at Black Jack Point, in May 1865. Mr. Adams married to Pauline E. Phillips, sister to N. B. and T. Ainsworth, of Oak Lodge, in November 1868, after which he opened a mercantile store at Tuskahoma, C. N. In 1876 he lost his wife, and soon afterwards, began prospecting for mineral with the late Joseph Hodges, second cousin to John Tyler, ex-President of the United States. Since that time Mr. Adams has successfully followed the business. He is the discoverer of Nos. 4 and 5 Shafts at Lehigh; Nos. 1, 2 and 3 at Colgate; Nos. 8 and 10 at McAlester, as well as the Simpson and Alderson mines. Mr. Adams has two sons, John S., aged twenty-one years, and Edward Bates, aged seventeen years. Both of these young men have received a liberal education and are filling business appointments. Mr. Adams is a gentleman of large experience, large heart, and enthusiastic love for the South. This spirit of patriotism is one of his leading characteristics.
