WILLIAM A. ADAMS is a native of Knox County, Tenn,, and the second of a family of six children born to John S. and Polly Adams. Mr. Adams' paternal grandfather, William Adams, emigrated from Ireland to America, and settled in South Carolina in an early day. He afterward moved to Tennessee, and died in Knox County, that State, in 1832. The maiden name of subject's mother was Polly Wilson. She was a daughter of Joseph Wilson, a native of South Carolina. Mr. Wilson was a school teacher, and died in Tennessee about 1830 or 1831. Subject's father came with his parents to Tennessee and remained a resident of that State until 1846, at which time he came to Crittenden County, Ky., settling about two miles from Marion, on what is now known as the Crider farm. In early life he followed the hatter's trade, but in 1833 he commenced farming, which continued to be his business until his death in 1855. Mr. Adams reared a family of six children, five of whom are living: Joseph, William A., Margaret, wife of J. A. Minner, Martha J., wife of Bradley Crider, and Lysander. William A. was born November 3, 1828. He remained with his parents until his twenty-second year, and commenced life for himself as a farmer in Crittenden County, three miles south of Marion, where he still resides. He at first purchased a tract of woodland, out of which by hard work he has cleared a good farm, and now has a very comfortable home. He has added to his original purchase at different times, and now has 250 acres of land, the greater part of which is in a high state of cultivation. He was married April 25, 1855, to Mandena, daughter of James L. and Eliza (Ditterline) Hill of Crittenden County. Six children have been born to this union: James C., John F., William L., Mary J., (deceased); Clarence A. and Ida D. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are active members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 717.