FRANKLIN D. ADAMS became a resident of Lesueur county, Minnesota, more than four decades ago, his identity with this place dating from May 1, 1853, and during the years which have intervened between that time and the present he has kept pace with the progress made here, his fine farm and delightful rural home being among the most desirable in the community. By virtue of his long residence here and the prominent place he has occupied among the agriculturalists of the county, he is deserving of honorable mention in this biographical record, and to a review of his life the biographer finds pleasure in turning.
Franklin D. Adams was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1820, a son of Quaker parents, and has a birthright in the Society of Friends. His father, George Adams, unlike many of the Quakers, believed in fighting as well as praying, and was an active participant in the war of 1812, in which he rendered valiant service. He was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, son of George Adams, Sr., a native of that state and a son of German parents, prominent residents of Pennsylvania and of Quaker faith. Indeed, as far back as their history can be traced they were people of sterling worth and strict members of the Society of Friends. The younger George Adams married Barbara Roarer, a native of Pennsylvania, and, like himself, belonging to a highly respected German family. Their union was blessed in the birth of four children that grew to maturity,-John, Barbara, Henry and Franklin D. The father lived to the venerable age of ninety years, and the mother was seventy-eight at the time of her death.
In Chester county, Pennsylvania, Franklin D. Adams spent his boyhood days, growing up under the best of home influence and early receiving those lessons of honesty, industry and piety which have been the foundation of his successful career. At fifteen he left home to make his own way in the world. His first venture was as clerk in a general store in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Some time later he returned and entered the leather business, which he followed for a number of years. This brings his history up to 1853, when, as already stated, he became a resident of Minnesota, the journey hither having been made by rail and boat on the rivers. Arrived in Kasota township, Lesueur county, he selected his present location on section 9, and on the Mankato road built a small frame house, twelve by eighteen feet in dimensions, which was his first home. Later he moved up on the hill where he now lives and built a large log house, to which he subsequently made a frame addition, and which house is still standing, a landmark of pioneer days and now used for a store house. He built his present residence, a large frame structure, both convenient and attractive, in 1876, at a cost of two thousand dollars, and has it furnished in a manner indicating taste and culture as well as means. Surrounding it are numerous beautiful forest trees and a fine orchard. The barn is forty by sixty feet in dimensions. A modern windmill pumps a generous supply of water for all needed purposes on this farm, and the farm itself is two hundred acres in extent, of rich soil, well cultivated.
Turning now to that part of Mr. Adams' history which is more purely domestic, we find that he was married, October 23, 1856, to Sophia Margraf, of German birth and ancestry, of amiable disposition and industrious habits, and who for forty years has shared the joys and sorrows of life with him, aiding him by her counsel and cheerful companionship and filling well her place in life. She was born in a dukedom of Saxony, Germany, daughter of Christolf Margraf. Her father lived and died in Germany and some time after his death the widowed mother and her children made their way to America, going first to Texas, thence up to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from there coming to Mankato, Minnesota, where she died, at the age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Adams is j one of a family of six children, of whom only she and her sister Wilhemina are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have four children, viz.: Barbara, wife of William Jardine, of Kasota, Minnesota; Anna Jane, wife of Cassius McGrow, of this township; Frances, wife of John Reph, of this township; and John Quincy, at the old homestead. Also they have one child deceased, Charles Francis, who died at the age of twenty months.
Mr. Adams first became interested in politics during the "log-cabin and hard-cider" campaign in 1840, and voted then for General William Henry Harrison, and he has had the pleasure of voting twice for the younger Harrison. For twenty years Mr. Adams served as a member of the school board, all that time being clerk of the board, and has also served on the board of supervisors. Progressive and enterprising and having at heart the best interests of i the community, his influence has been felt for good here, and he has long been recognized as a man of sterling worth and appreciated for his good qualities. In him are found very pronounced many of the characteristics of the Quaker. He is plain in speech and manner, fair and square in all his dealings, frank and genial and the soul of hospitality.
Franklin D. Adams was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1820, a son of Quaker parents, and has a birthright in the Society of Friends. His father, George Adams, unlike many of the Quakers, believed in fighting as well as praying, and was an active participant in the war of 1812, in which he rendered valiant service. He was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, son of George Adams, Sr., a native of that state and a son of German parents, prominent residents of Pennsylvania and of Quaker faith. Indeed, as far back as their history can be traced they were people of sterling worth and strict members of the Society of Friends. The younger George Adams married Barbara Roarer, a native of Pennsylvania, and, like himself, belonging to a highly respected German family. Their union was blessed in the birth of four children that grew to maturity,-John, Barbara, Henry and Franklin D. The father lived to the venerable age of ninety years, and the mother was seventy-eight at the time of her death.
In Chester county, Pennsylvania, Franklin D. Adams spent his boyhood days, growing up under the best of home influence and early receiving those lessons of honesty, industry and piety which have been the foundation of his successful career. At fifteen he left home to make his own way in the world. His first venture was as clerk in a general store in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Some time later he returned and entered the leather business, which he followed for a number of years. This brings his history up to 1853, when, as already stated, he became a resident of Minnesota, the journey hither having been made by rail and boat on the rivers. Arrived in Kasota township, Lesueur county, he selected his present location on section 9, and on the Mankato road built a small frame house, twelve by eighteen feet in dimensions, which was his first home. Later he moved up on the hill where he now lives and built a large log house, to which he subsequently made a frame addition, and which house is still standing, a landmark of pioneer days and now used for a store house. He built his present residence, a large frame structure, both convenient and attractive, in 1876, at a cost of two thousand dollars, and has it furnished in a manner indicating taste and culture as well as means. Surrounding it are numerous beautiful forest trees and a fine orchard. The barn is forty by sixty feet in dimensions. A modern windmill pumps a generous supply of water for all needed purposes on this farm, and the farm itself is two hundred acres in extent, of rich soil, well cultivated.
Turning now to that part of Mr. Adams' history which is more purely domestic, we find that he was married, October 23, 1856, to Sophia Margraf, of German birth and ancestry, of amiable disposition and industrious habits, and who for forty years has shared the joys and sorrows of life with him, aiding him by her counsel and cheerful companionship and filling well her place in life. She was born in a dukedom of Saxony, Germany, daughter of Christolf Margraf. Her father lived and died in Germany and some time after his death the widowed mother and her children made their way to America, going first to Texas, thence up to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from there coming to Mankato, Minnesota, where she died, at the age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Adams is j one of a family of six children, of whom only she and her sister Wilhemina are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have four children, viz.: Barbara, wife of William Jardine, of Kasota, Minnesota; Anna Jane, wife of Cassius McGrow, of this township; Frances, wife of John Reph, of this township; and John Quincy, at the old homestead. Also they have one child deceased, Charles Francis, who died at the age of twenty months.
Mr. Adams first became interested in politics during the "log-cabin and hard-cider" campaign in 1840, and voted then for General William Henry Harrison, and he has had the pleasure of voting twice for the younger Harrison. For twenty years Mr. Adams served as a member of the school board, all that time being clerk of the board, and has also served on the board of supervisors. Progressive and enterprising and having at heart the best interests of i the community, his influence has been felt for good here, and he has long been recognized as a man of sterling worth and appreciated for his good qualities. In him are found very pronounced many of the characteristics of the Quaker. He is plain in speech and manner, fair and square in all his dealings, frank and genial and the soul of hospitality.
FRANKLIN D. ADAMS became a resident of Lesueur county, Minnesota, more than four decades ago, his identity with this place dating from May 1, 1853, and during the years which have intervened between that time and the present he has kept pace with the progress made here, his fine farm and delightful rural home being among the most desirable in the community. By virtue of his long residence here and the prominent place he has occupied among the agriculturalists of the county, he is deserving of honorable mention in this biographical record, and to a review of his life the biographer finds pleasure in turning.
Franklin D. Adams was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1820, a son of Quaker parents, and has a birthright in the Society of Friends. His father, George Adams, unlike many of the Quakers, believed in fighting as well as praying, and was an active participant in the war of 1812, in which he rendered valiant service. He was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, son of George Adams, Sr., a native of that state and a son of German parents, prominent residents of Pennsylvania and of Quaker faith. Indeed, as far back as their history can be traced they were people of sterling worth and strict members of the Society of Friends. The younger George Adams married Barbara Roarer, a native of Pennsylvania, and, like himself, belonging to a highly respected German family. Their union was blessed in the birth of four children that grew to maturity,-John, Barbara, Henry and Franklin D. The father lived to the venerable age of ninety years, and the mother was seventy-eight at the time of her death.
In Chester county, Pennsylvania, Franklin D. Adams spent his boyhood days, growing up under the best of home influence and early receiving those lessons of honesty, industry and piety which have been the foundation of his successful career. At fifteen he left home to make his own way in the world. His first venture was as clerk in a general store in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Some time later he returned and entered the leather business, which he followed for a number of years. This brings his history up to 1853, when, as already stated, he became a resident of Minnesota, the journey hither having been made by rail and boat on the rivers. Arrived in Kasota township, Lesueur county, he selected his present location on section 9, and on the Mankato road built a small frame house, twelve by eighteen feet in dimensions, which was his first home. Later he moved up on the hill where he now lives and built a large log house, to which he subsequently made a frame addition, and which house is still standing, a landmark of pioneer days and now used for a store house. He built his present residence, a large frame structure, both convenient and attractive, in 1876, at a cost of two thousand dollars, and has it furnished in a manner indicating taste and culture as well as means. Surrounding it are numerous beautiful forest trees and a fine orchard. The barn is forty by sixty feet in dimensions. A modern windmill pumps a generous supply of water for all needed purposes on this farm, and the farm itself is two hundred acres in extent, of rich soil, well cultivated.
Turning now to that part of Mr. Adams' history which is more purely domestic, we find that he was married, October 23, 1856, to Sophia Margraf, of German birth and ancestry, of amiable disposition and industrious habits, and who for forty years has shared the joys and sorrows of life with him, aiding him by her counsel and cheerful companionship and filling well her place in life. She was born in a dukedom of Saxony, Germany, daughter of Christolf Margraf. Her father lived and died in Germany and some time after his death the widowed mother and her children made their way to America, going first to Texas, thence up to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from there coming to Mankato, Minnesota, where she died, at the age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Adams is j one of a family of six children, of whom only she and her sister Wilhemina are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have four children, viz.: Barbara, wife of William Jardine, of Kasota, Minnesota; Anna Jane, wife of Cassius McGrow, of this township; Frances, wife of John Reph, of this township; and John Quincy, at the old homestead. Also they have one child deceased, Charles Francis, who died at the age of twenty months.
Mr. Adams first became interested in politics during the "log-cabin and hard-cider" campaign in 1840, and voted then for General William Henry Harrison, and he has had the pleasure of voting twice for the younger Harrison. For twenty years Mr. Adams served as a member of the school board, all that time being clerk of the board, and has also served on the board of supervisors. Progressive and enterprising and having at heart the best interests of i the community, his influence has been felt for good here, and he has long been recognized as a man of sterling worth and appreciated for his good qualities. In him are found very pronounced many of the characteristics of the Quaker. He is plain in speech and manner, fair and square in all his dealings, frank and genial and the soul of hospitality.
Franklin D. Adams was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1820, a son of Quaker parents, and has a birthright in the Society of Friends. His father, George Adams, unlike many of the Quakers, believed in fighting as well as praying, and was an active participant in the war of 1812, in which he rendered valiant service. He was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, son of George Adams, Sr., a native of that state and a son of German parents, prominent residents of Pennsylvania and of Quaker faith. Indeed, as far back as their history can be traced they were people of sterling worth and strict members of the Society of Friends. The younger George Adams married Barbara Roarer, a native of Pennsylvania, and, like himself, belonging to a highly respected German family. Their union was blessed in the birth of four children that grew to maturity,-John, Barbara, Henry and Franklin D. The father lived to the venerable age of ninety years, and the mother was seventy-eight at the time of her death.
In Chester county, Pennsylvania, Franklin D. Adams spent his boyhood days, growing up under the best of home influence and early receiving those lessons of honesty, industry and piety which have been the foundation of his successful career. At fifteen he left home to make his own way in the world. His first venture was as clerk in a general store in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Some time later he returned and entered the leather business, which he followed for a number of years. This brings his history up to 1853, when, as already stated, he became a resident of Minnesota, the journey hither having been made by rail and boat on the rivers. Arrived in Kasota township, Lesueur county, he selected his present location on section 9, and on the Mankato road built a small frame house, twelve by eighteen feet in dimensions, which was his first home. Later he moved up on the hill where he now lives and built a large log house, to which he subsequently made a frame addition, and which house is still standing, a landmark of pioneer days and now used for a store house. He built his present residence, a large frame structure, both convenient and attractive, in 1876, at a cost of two thousand dollars, and has it furnished in a manner indicating taste and culture as well as means. Surrounding it are numerous beautiful forest trees and a fine orchard. The barn is forty by sixty feet in dimensions. A modern windmill pumps a generous supply of water for all needed purposes on this farm, and the farm itself is two hundred acres in extent, of rich soil, well cultivated.
Turning now to that part of Mr. Adams' history which is more purely domestic, we find that he was married, October 23, 1856, to Sophia Margraf, of German birth and ancestry, of amiable disposition and industrious habits, and who for forty years has shared the joys and sorrows of life with him, aiding him by her counsel and cheerful companionship and filling well her place in life. She was born in a dukedom of Saxony, Germany, daughter of Christolf Margraf. Her father lived and died in Germany and some time after his death the widowed mother and her children made their way to America, going first to Texas, thence up to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from there coming to Mankato, Minnesota, where she died, at the age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Adams is j one of a family of six children, of whom only she and her sister Wilhemina are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have four children, viz.: Barbara, wife of William Jardine, of Kasota, Minnesota; Anna Jane, wife of Cassius McGrow, of this township; Frances, wife of John Reph, of this township; and John Quincy, at the old homestead. Also they have one child deceased, Charles Francis, who died at the age of twenty months.
Mr. Adams first became interested in politics during the "log-cabin and hard-cider" campaign in 1840, and voted then for General William Henry Harrison, and he has had the pleasure of voting twice for the younger Harrison. For twenty years Mr. Adams served as a member of the school board, all that time being clerk of the board, and has also served on the board of supervisors. Progressive and enterprising and having at heart the best interests of i the community, his influence has been felt for good here, and he has long been recognized as a man of sterling worth and appreciated for his good qualities. In him are found very pronounced many of the characteristics of the Quaker. He is plain in speech and manner, fair and square in all his dealings, frank and genial and the soul of hospitality.
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"FRANKLIN D. 1820~1906"
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