Francis D. Adams was born in Waterbury, Vermont, in 1838 and later moved to Michigan, where he worked in manufacturing before serving in the Civil War as a lieutenant in the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics. In 1880, he relocated to Groton, South Dakota, where he co-founded the Farmers’ Bank and became a prominent civic leader. Adams served in the South Dakota State Senate and was appointed to the state board of regents of education. He passed away in 1899, survived by his wife, Jane (Ashley) Adams, and their four children: Persis, George, John, and Charles.
Francis D. Adams, deceased, late of Groton, Brown County, was a native of the old Green Mountain State, having been born in Waterbury, Vermont, on the 21st of February, 1838, while it cannot be denied that he possessed to a marked degree the noble characteristics which ever typify the sturdy sons of New England. He was reared and educated in his native state and there remained until about the year 1861, when he came west to the state of Michigan, locating in Grattan, Kent County, where he became associated with his brothers, George and John, in the manufacturing of furniture, wagons, and carriages. To this enterprise he was giving his attention at the time when the dark cloud of war cast its pall over the nation, and he forthwith subordinated his personal interests to the needs of his country. He effected the organization of Company D, First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, and was elected second lieutenant of the same, later being promoted first lieutenant, while he acted in the capacity of adjutant general. Mr. Adams was in active service for two and one-half years, and his record was that of a loyal and valiant son of the Republic. After victory had crowned the Union arms, it was his privilege to participate in the grand review in the national capital.
After the war, Mr. Adams continued his residence in Grattan and Lowell, Michigan, until 1880, when he came to Groton, South Dakota, where he forthwith identified himself most intimately with local affairs, his mental powers and long business experience well equipping him for leadership. He here became associated with S. W. Weber and H. C. Sessions in the organization of the Farmers’ Bank, which was later reorganized as the Brown County Bank, and of this well-known and popular institution he served as a director until his death, while he also made large and judicious investments in lands in the valley of the James River. He ever kept in touch with civic and public affairs, was progressive in his ideas, and did his part in promoting the development and material prosperity of his home city.
In politics, Mr. Adams gave an uncompromising support to the principles of the Republican party, and in 1892 he was elected to represent his district in the state senate, this being the third general assembly after the admission of South Dakota to the Union. In the council chambers of the commonwealth, he proved anew his loyalty and his ability, being recognized as one of the valuable working members of the senatorial body and being made chairman of the important committee on appropriations. In 1895 Governor Sheldon appointed Mr. Adams a member of the state board of regents of education, and here his influence was exerted in a most helpful way. He continued incumbent of this office until he was summoned from the field of life’s labors. His religious faith was liberal, mainly in doing good to those around him. Fraternally, he was a member of the Masonic order, in which he had attained the Knights Templar degrees, his funeral services being conducted under the beautiful and impressive ritual and ceremonies of this time-honored fraternity. The death of Mr. Adams occurred on the 17th of January, 1899, and the community manifested a sense of personal bereavement, for he was a man who ever held friendship as inviolate and one who had made his entire life count for good. He was kindly and considerate, tolerant in his judgment, earnest and sincere in all things. It is needless to say that the passing away of such an individual must leave a distinct void.
On the 15th of March 1871, Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Jane Ashley, of Grattan, Michigan, she being a daughter of Sheldon Ashley, a pioneer of Kent County, that state, and an influential citizen. Mrs. Adams survives her honored husband, as do also their four children, namely: Persis E., who is the wife of Robert Reynolds, of Groton; George Sheldon, M. D., who is a member of the medical staff of the state hospital at Yankton; John Francis, who is a student in Rush Medical College, in the city of Chicago; and Charles Edwin, who is a student in the University of Minnesota.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.