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Henry L. Adams

"A whole-souled gentleman, an able attorney and a public-spirited citizen of West Union, Fayette county, is Henry L. Adams, formerly county superintendent of schools, a man who has thrown his powers, the weight of his soul and mind into study, work and practice, and who recognizes honesty, integrity and higher character as the most exalted of professional ideals and standards, realizing that men of character are not only the conscience of society, but in every well governed state they are its best motive power, as the moral qualities rule, and, guided by such ideals, he accomplishes whatever he undertakes, being now in the fullest development and vigor of his faculties, capable of his best and strongest work.

Mr. Adams was born at Maynard, Fayette county, Iowa, November 28, 1875, and is the son of Leander and Rebecca (Cline) Adams, the former a native of Cattaraugus county, New York, born January 18, 1835, and the latter born in Washington county, Ohio, February 22, 1848. The paternal great-grandfather, Capt. Abner Adams, was a commissioned captain in the patriot army in the Revolutionary war. Leander L. Adams enlisted as a private in Company B, Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, and he was later in the marine service. He was in the engagements at Perryville, siege of Vicksburg, Ball's Bluff, but the major part of his time was spent in the vicinity of Vicksburg. For gallant service he was promoted to corporal, and was honorably discharged in 1865.

Henry L. Adams enjoyed the advantages of a good education in the local public schools, the Maynard high school, Upper Iowa University, at Fayette, the State University of Iowa and the Chicago University. Thus he became exceptionally well prepared for his chosen calling, that of teacher, which he first followed at Waucoma, Iowa, from 1897 to 1899, making an excellent record. His abilities as an educator being generally recognized, he was elected county superintendent of schools in 1899 and served very faithfully and acceptably as such until 1905, during which time the cause of education in this county was greatly strengthened and encouraged. But believing that the law held greater inducements for him, he accordingly took up that line of research and was duly admitted to the bar, beginning practice in West Union in the fall of 1907, under the firm name of Rogers & Adams, and he has succeeded in building up a very satisfactory clientele, being well versed in the law and careful and painstaking, and eloquent and interesting both as a pleader before a jury and as a public speaker. Politically, he is a Republican and has taken more than a passing interest in the affairs of his party for some time, and in the fall of 1908 he was honored by his constituents by being elected state senator of the fortieth senatorial district, comprising the counties of Allamakee and Fayette, and his record in the Legislature as a champion of the rights of the people whom he represented was such as to win the approval and admiration of all classes. In religious matters he is a Presbyterian and a liberal supporter of the local church.

Mr. Adams is prominent in fraternal circles also, belonging to the local lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Modern Woodmen of America, also holds membership in the Phi Delta Phi, a law fraternity, and the Historical and Literary Club.

On January 5, 1898, Mr. Adams formed a matrimonial alliance with Ina S. Holmes, the cultured and accomplished daughter of David A. and Sarah (Carter) Holmes, of Donnan, Iowa, and this union has been graced by the birth of two children, Maude, born April 8, 1902, and Edith Kate, born January 31, 1906.

Personally, Mr. Adams takes a high rank as one of Fayette county's representative citizens, his life having been lived in such a manner as to win and retain the confidence and respect of all who know him. He is a man of high educational attainments; always a student, he keeps abreast of the times in all matters of general interest and is familiar with the world's best literature on a great diversity of themes.  He is the possessor of a high order of literary ability and whatever he writes or says is given a ready hearing and proper consideration, and there is no man in the county who is held in higher esteem by the population, regardless of all sects, politics or profession."

~transcribed by CMD for Fayette County IAGenWeb Project