James L. Adams was born in Dickson County, Tennessee on February 8, 1836 and came with his parents to Randolph County, Illinois, when but three years old. His parents were John Adams (1811 – 1855) and Martha Kennedy (1812 – 1900), who were natives of Caswell County, North Carolina but came to Tennessee while young and married there.

The family settled in Randolph County in 1839 and followed farming in that and the adjoining county of Washington when Southern Illinois was a comparative wilderness.

James received only such book-learning as the schools of those days could furnish, and as there were no free schools, the constant struggle with the difficulties of a pioneer life left him little chance for an education.

In the 1850 census, James L. and his sisters, Mary and Nancy J., and Sarah Jane were living with their parents in Randolph County, Illinois.  James, 13 years, and Mary, 11 years, were born in Tennessee and Nancy J., 7 years, and Sarah Jane, 2 years, were born in Illinois.

James married Margaret A. Robinson in Washington County, Illinois on January 18, 1855. Margaret was born on February 5, 1837 in Robinson County, Tennessee. When about three years of age, she came to Washington County, Illinois, with her parents where she lived until a short time before her marriage to J. L. Adams. 

The couple moved to Jackson County in 1856 and later to Williamson County. Her obituary indicated that after her husband returned from the Civil War they moved to Marion, but census records contradict this and the 1905 Souvenir history indicates they were only in Jackson County a couple of years.  

By the 1860 census, James and Margaret were in Williamson County, Illinois. They had no real estate but did have $100 evaluation for personal property.  He was a farmer and both of them indicated that they had been born in Tennessee.

Margaret was converted in 1861 in a meeting at Perry Camp Ground and with her husband united with the M.E. Church at that place.

James joined the Union Army on August 15, 1862 in Williamson County, enrolled by a Captain Norman.  He was mustered in as a private at Anna, Illinois on September 11, 1862. His personal characteristics listed on the muster roll gave his age as 26, he was 5’6” tall (another muster roll has his height as 6’), fair complexion, light hair, and blue eyes.  He was listed as a farmer, married and being from Marion, Williamson County, Illinois.

The 110^th Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Infantry was organized at Anna, Illinois, by Colonel Thomas S. Casey in September, A.D. 1862, and was mustered into the United States service September 11, 1862, by Captain Washington, of the Sixteenth Regular Infantry. The Regiment was recruited from the counties of Jefferson, Washington, Wayne, Hamilton, Saline,    Franklin, Perry and Williamson. 

In May 1863, the Regiment being much reduced due to losses in battles, sickness and discharge, Company C was consolidated into Company D. After that the Regiment was engaged in the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and the battles around Atlanta on Sherman’s March to the Sea. 

In September, 1864, he was wounded at the battle of Jonesboro. Ga., and returned home on furlough. While home on furlough, James was charged with gaming in Williamson County.  

After 30 days he rejoined his command at Savannah, which General Sherman soon after reached at the termination of his famous march through Georgia. The combined commands reached Columbia, South Carolina, when the surrender of Lee’s forces wound up the great struggle.  

They marched from there to Washington, D.C. and participated in the Grand Review of General Sherman’s Army, and were there, on the 5th day of June 1865, when they were mustered out of the service. From there the Regiment was moved by rail to Chicago, Illinois, where on the 15th day of June, 1865, they received their final payment and discharge and James returned to his home and farm. 

In the 1870 census, James and Margaret were in their thirties and living alone.  He was a farmer and they had no real estate or personal property.

Until 1872, he continued farming, but for four years thereafter was engaged in carpentering and building. In 1874 he had a mechanic’s lien filed against him. He then moved into Marion and for sixteen years was in the grocery business.

He was successful in this and gradually acquired a competence from which he has made his living since by loaning money. He was successful in this and gradually acquired a competence from which he has made his living since by loaning, eventually becoming a member of the board of directors for the Williamson County Savings Bank in Marion.

He served as an alderman in the town of Marion for the years 1876 through 1878, under mayors George W. Goddard and James C. Jackson.

In 1880 James was operating a grocery store in Marion. Margaret’s sisters, R.C. and Emma, were living with them. A notice was put in the Marion Monitor in May of 1880 saying that T.G. Goddard of Goddard and Adams was retiring and J.L. Adams would continue business at the old stand.

James again served as alderman in 1886 and 1887 under mayors James C. Jackson and Brice Holland when Marion had no saloons and about 1200 to 1500 citizens.

In 1898 James was sued for debt.

The 1900 census showed James L. and Margaret, in their sixties, living alone.  He had no occupation but owned his home free and clear of mortgage in Marion.

James served as alderman again in 1903 through 1905 during Mayor Charles H. Denison’s tenure.

In 1910, James had no occupation but indicated on census records that he had his own income.

His wife, Margaret, died on September 10, 1914 and was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. During her last illness, her husband and sisters, Mrs. Susie Kingrey and Rebecca Martin cared for her. She was survived by her husband, two sisters and their husbands.

James L. Adams died on February 21, 1917 at the age of 81 as a retired merchant and was buried next to Margaret in Rose Hill Cemetery. James was a Senior Vice Post Commander of Lodge No. 319 of the G.A.R. He was a Republican in politics, a member of Elks Lodge #800, an Odd Fellow, and member of the M. E., church of Marion. He was preceded in death by all of his siblings and both of his parents.

According to the Marion Daily Post, Mrs. Elizabeth James of Nielson was called to Marion to attend the funeral of James L. Adams.

James L. and Margaret left no children.

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Extracted from Marion Monitor articles, 1885; Marion Daily Post, 1917; Marion Daily Republican, 1917;Federal Census Records; 1905 Souvenir History; Illinois Death Records; Civil War Soldier Records; compiled by Colleen Norman, edited by Sam Lattuca)