William M. Adams

     William M. Adams was born in December 1880 at Ireland.⁴ He was the son of William Adams and Elizabeth Willson.^1,2,3 Conflicting evidence states that William was born on 5 December 1881.^5,6

William M. Adams was born in Ireland or Northern Ireland. The naturalization papers for his brother Robert John Adams show Robert was born near Londonderry (now Northern) Ireland in 1878 and that he entered the U.S. in 1883. The 1900 Census shows place of birth for William Adams and his sons Robert John and William as Ireland and that none of them had been naturalized. The 1920 Census shows that William Adams was born in the U.S. and place of birth for both of his parents was shown as Ire (English). The 1925 Census shows that he was born in Kansas. It is the conclusion of this researcher that William Adams was born in Ireland and probably near what is now Londonderry, Londonderry, Northern Ireland.⁷

William M. Adams was listed in the household of William Adams on the 1895 Kansas State Census recorded 1895 at Ward 5, Kansas City, Wyandotte Co., Kansas. Other members of the household were Robert John Adams and Minnie Jane Adams.⁸ William M. Adams was enumerated as Willie Adams on the Census at Ward 5, Kansas City, Wyandotte Co., Kansas. He is age 14 and was born in Canada. He came to Kansas from Canada..⁸

William M. Adams was enumerated with William Adams on the Census of 2 June 1900. He is shown as age 19 with his date of birth as Dec. 1880. He is single and was born in Ireland. Both of his parents were born in Ireland. He came to the United States in 1884.⁹

William M. Adams married Ethel Lee Ellis, daughter of George Ellis and Amy Elizabeth Parker, on 10 April 1904 at Kansas when he was 23.^3,10

Julia Elizabeth Adams, the daughter of William M. Adams and Ethel Lee Adams was born 22 January 1905 at Kansas City, Wyandette Co., Kansas.

William M. Adams was listed in the household of Walter Ellis on the 1905 Kansas State Census recorded 1905 at Kansas City, Wyandotte Co., Kansas. Other members of the household were Emma Elvessa Ellis, Mamie Ellis, Emma Louise Ellis, Ethel Lee Adams and Julia Elizabeth Adams.¹¹ William M. Adams was enumerated as William Adams on the Census at Kansas City, Wyandotte Co., Kansas. He is age 23 and was born in Ireland. He moved to Kansas from Ireland.¹¹

Edith Adams, the daughter of William M. Adams and Ethel Lee Adams was born circa 1907.

He came to Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, in 1908.¹⁰

Dorothy Maurine Adams, the daughter of William M. Adams and Ethel Lee Adams was born 18 May 1909 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.

Edith Adams, child of William M. Adams, died circa 1910 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.¹⁰

William M. Adams is head of household on the Census of 26 April 1910 at Center Township, Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, as William Adams. He is shown as White, Male, age 29, and married 6 years. His place of birth is shown as "Ire. English." Both of his parents place of birth is shown as "Ire. English." His date of immigration is shown as 1884. The question regarding naturalization is not answered. He could read and write. He rented the house. His trade is shown as baggageman and the type of industry as depot.. Also enumerated were Julia Elizabeth Adams, Dorothy Maurine Adams and Ethel Lee Ellis.¹²

Robert George Adams, the son of William M. Adams and Ethel Lee Adams was born 21 March 1911 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.

Charles Elias Adams, the son of William M. Adams and Ethel Lee Adams was born 13 December 1916 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.

William M. Adams and Ethel Lee Ellis lived at 509 E. Prairie, Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, on 12 September 1918.¹³

With no end in sight for World War I, the United States instituted it's third and final registration. It included all men who were between the ages of 18 and 21, and 31 to 45 years of age. This added younger men than the previous registrations, those who were born between September 12, 1897 and September 12, 1900; and added an older group of men, born between September 12, 1873 and September 12, 1888. William M. Adams filled out a draft card on 12 September 1918 in Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa. He is employed as a cashier. He is described as of medium height and slender build with grey eyes and brown hair

Ethel K. Adams was listed as William M. Adams's wife on his World War I Draft Registration.¹³

William M. Adams was listed as Robert John Adams's brother on his World War I Draft Registration, dated 12 September 1918, in Tacoma, Pierce Co., Washington; He was described as of medium height and slender build with Gray eyes and brown hair.¹⁴

William M. Adams was listed as the head of household as He is a 39 year old married, white, male. He rents the home. He is a railway clerk and he can read and write. He was born in the United States. Both his parents were born in Ireland on the 1920 Census recorded 1 June 1920 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa. The official date of this census was 1 Jan 1920. William Adams. Also living in the household were his wife, Ethel Lee Ellis , his sons, Robert George Adams, William Woodrow Adams and Charles Elias Adams, his daughters, Julia Elizabeth Adams and Dorothy Maurine Adams.¹⁵

William M. Adams was listed as the head of household on the 1925 Iowa State Census recorded 1925 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa. Owns house free of mortgage; valuation 2500. 16 years in Iowa. Completed 8th grade. Born in Kansas. Father: William Adams Mother: Elizabeth Willson. His parents were both born in Ireland and married in Ireland.. Also living in the household were Ethel Lee Ellis, Dorothy Maurine Adams, Robert George Adams, William Woodrow Adams and Charles Elias Adams.³

William M. Adams was listed as the head of household as William Adams on the 1930 Census recorded 9 April 1930 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa. The official date of this census was 1 Apr 1930. He is shown as a white male, age 49, and born in Kansas. Both his parents were born in N. Ireland. He was first married at age 22. He is curently employed as a clerk in the steam railroad industry. He owns the home valued at $1500. He is not a veteran.. Also living in the household were his wife, Ethel Lee Adams, his son, Robert George Adams, his son, William Woodrow Adams, his son, Charles Elias Adams , his daughter, Dorothy Maurine Adams.¹⁶

"We the Officers of the Convention of High Priest of the State of Iowa do hereby Certify that our worthy Companion William Adams has been regularly Anointed, Consecrated and Set Apart to the office of High Priest; we therefore request all the Councils and Conventions of the Holy Order of High Priesthood and all Chapters of the Royal Arch Masons throughout the World to recognize and admit him as such."¹⁷

William M. Adams was commissioned as Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Nevada near the Grand Chapter of Iowa, Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons on 11 April 1934 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.

Charles Elias Adams, child of William M. Adams, died on 23 November 1946 at age 29 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.¹⁸ He was employed by Rock Island Railroad for a period of 39 years.¹⁰

William M. Adams was a member of Jackson Lodge F&AM, St. Johns Commandery, Knights Templar, and Kaaba, Order of the Ancient Shrine, of Davenport.¹⁰

William M. Adams was a member of the Methodist Church from an early age.¹⁰

Robert John Adams left a will on 9 August 1949 which listed William M. Adams as his brother.¹⁹

William M. Adams was shown as a brother of Robert John Adams in Robert John's obituary on 18 August 1949.²⁰

William M. Adams died on 25 September 1950 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, at age 69.^21,10 His funeral was held at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, on 27 September 1950.¹⁰ He was buried at Oakland Cemetery, Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, on 27 September 1950.²²

William M. Adams was shown as the spouse of Ethel Lee Adams in Ethel Lee's obituary on 7 January 1970.²³