Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Adams, William Erastus |
Genealogy ID |
83285 |
Born |
24 MAR 1816 |
Birthplace |
Tioga, Tioga PA |
Deceased |
11 AUG 1895 |
Deceased where |
Mansfield, Tioga PA |
Cemetery |
Mill Creek Cemetery |
Occupation |
Newspaper (Tioga Democrat) (Lawrenceville Sentinel) Lawyer Tax Collector DoorKeeper of the State Senate Store Keeper |
Titles & honors |
Built the Adams Block in Mansfield [N. Main St.] Born at the house later known as the Mill Creek Inn F. & A. M. Friendship Lodge No. 247 Justice of the peace, councilman |
Father |
Lyman Adams |
Mother |
Sophia Mantor |
Spouse |
Ruth Ann Dailey |
Children |
John W. Adams William Adams |
Reference |
Obit 1883 1897 |
Notes |
WILLIAM ADAMS, son of Lyman and Sophia Mantor Adams, from Massachusetts, was born in Tioga village, March 24th 1816. His wife was Ruth A. Daily, of Tioga. In 1830 he was apprenticed in the office of the Tioga Pioneer; in 1837 he bought out the paper and became the editor, changing its name to the Tioga Democrat. In 1840 he removed it to Lawrenceville, and called it the Lawrenceville Sentinel. He sold it, and in 1842 bought a farm in Rutland, and commenced the study of law. In 1855 he settled at Mansfield. He has practiced law and been a magistrate 25 years. [1883 History] WILLIAM ADAMS was born in Tioga, Tioga county, March 24, 1816, a son of Capt. Lyman Adams, and grew to manhood in his native county. In 1831 he became an apprentice in the office of the Tioga Pioneer, then published by Rankin Lewis & Co. In 1838 he succeeded Dr. Cyrus Pratt as owner and editor of the paper, which then bore the name of Tioga Democrat. In 1840 he sold a half interest to John C. Knox and others, and the plant was removed to Lawrenceville and the name changed to Lawrence Sentinel. The next year he sold his remaining interest in the paper, returned to Tioga township and bought a farm on Mill creek, where for fourteen years he followed agriculture in connection with the practice of law. Mr. Adams was married, February 23, 1841, to Ruth Ann Daily, a daughter of John and Violetta (Niles) Daily, to which union two children were born: John Willard, an attorney of Mansfield, and William Erastus, who died on March 30, 1873, aged twenty-seven years, being at the time of his death collector of internal revenue for this district. In 1855 Mr. Adams removed to Mansfield, and in 1857 he was chosen a justice of the peace. With the exception of the years 1882 and 1883, when he was door-keeper of the State Senate at Harrisburg, he filled the office continuously up to May, 1895. From 1862 to 1877 he was in the mercantile business at Mansfield. Mrs. Adams died in that borough July 21, 1868. Her husband survived until August 11, 1895, dying at the ripe age of nearly eighty years. In politics he was a staunch Republican, and in religion a Methodist. He was also a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 247, F. & A. M. Besides serving as a justice of the peace he filled the office of councilman, assessor and school director, and was one of the useful and respected citizens of Mansfield. [1897 History] ADAMS, Erastus William – Erastus William Adams was born at Tioga, PA, March 24, 1816, and died at his home in this boro Sunday, August 11, 1895, at 3:48 p.m. He was the son of Lyman and Sophia Mantor Adams, who came to this county in 1804 from Lenox, Mass. Mr. Adams entered the office of the Tioga Pioneer in 1830 as an apprentice. In 1837 he bought out the paper and became its editor, at the same time changing the name to the Tioga Democrat. In 1840 he moved the paper to Lawrenceville, where it was known as the Lawrenceville Sentinel. He took into partnership John C. Knox afterward elected to the State Supreme bench. In 1842 he sold his interest at Lawrenceville to Knox and others and bought the farm in Rutland now known as the Lyman Benson place. Here he resumed the study of the law and also practiced law before arbitrators and justices of the peace. His sound judgment and skill in handling the cases which came into his hands soon won for him a large practice. He was considered the equal of any lawyer then in the county. While at Lawrenceville Mr. Adams married Miss Ruth Dailey. Two sons were born to them John W. and Erastus William, JR., the latter of whom died March 30, 1878. In 1855 he came to this boro and bought the farm now owned by Dr. C.V. Elliott and others. He continued the practice of his profession until 1862 when he embarked in the mercantile business in the building now occupied as a restaurant by George D. Newell. Aided by his sons he continued the sale of general merchandise until 1877 when he sold out to Oliver Elliott & Son. He was a Justice of the Peace for 35 years, his commission expiring in May 1895. His health had been failing for two years but so vigorous was his constitution that it was not until six weeks ago that he took to his bed. Through the long weeks of his last illness he uttered not a word of complaint. His patient longing for the end to come was the remark of those in attendance at his bedside. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1890 under the ministry of the Rev. David Keppel, and died in the hope of life everlasting beyond the grave. His characteristics were his ability, his loyalty to his friends, and keen self sacrificing sympathy for the unfortunate. Since the death of his wife in 1868 Mr. Adams has made his home with son, John W. Adams, Esq., from whose home the funeral was held yesterday at 2 p.m. the Rev. E.J. Rosengrant officiating. The remains were laid to rest in the Mill Creek cemetery beside those of his beloved wife. – Mansfield Advertiser, PA, 14 August 1895, Wednesday, p.2 |
