The Village of South Evanston, Illinois existed from January 4, 1873 until it became part of the City of Evanston on February 20, 1892. South Evanston was governed by a Board of Trustees unlike Evanston, which was governed by a Village (then City) Council. Instead of a mayor, South Evanston had a President of the Board of Trustees. I have written in the past about several of the mayors of Evanston, but this month we are going to take a look at the life of John Ballard Adams, the first President of the Board of Trustees of the Village of South Evanston.
John Ballard Adams was born January 26, 1836 in Dryden, New York. His parents were Rev. Moses Adams (1806-1871) and Caroline Ballard (1809-1893). Moses Adams was a farmer and a minister in the Black River Conference and Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Moses and Caroline Adams were married in New York in 1832. It was said that they were blessed with ten children, five of which survived to adulthood. I could only find nine: Mary C. Adams (1834-1836), John Ballard Adams (1836-1924), Flavilla Adams (1839-1844), George Hedding Adams (1842-1843), George Hamline Adams (1844-1920), Flavilla Adelia Adams/Mrs. George Foster (1846-1877), Caroline Amelia Adams/Mrs. Dr. Frederick Rickard (1848-1913), Charles Wesley Adams (1850-????), and Francis A. Adams (1853-1855).
John Adams was a direct descendent of that Henry Adams who came from Braintree, England in 1630 and was an ancestor of the New England Adams families.
The 1840 US Census did not delineate people by name, so the first time John Ballard Adams appears in print is in the 1850 US Census. The family was living in Watertown, Jefferson County, New York. The family consisted of: Moses Adams (44 years old), Caroline (40), John B. (14), George (6), Adeline A. (4) and Amelia (2). Also living with the Adams Family were Adelia Ballard (13) and Emmett Pryin (21). Moses said his occupation was "Farmer," and that he owned Real Estate worth $3,000.00 ($125,000.00 in today's funds).
Moses Adams, being a minister, was transferred around the state of New York, so John had to get his education as he could. He attended the Jefferson County Institute in Watertown, New York and the Cazenovia Seminary in 1853-54.
In 1854 when John was 18, his father retired to Racine, Wisconsin. Moses Adams acquired a half interest in a bookstore, and John spent many hours as a clerk and as the bookkeeper for the bookstore. During his time in his father's store he read everything he could get his hands on, and started accumulating books for his own library.
In 1856 when John was twenty years old, he began to read law in the office of William P. Lyon, a lawyer in Racine. He kept the accounting books for three different firms during this period to pay for his expenses. He remained with Mr. Lyon more than a year. Since Lyon was the prosecuting attorney of Racine County, John became very familiar with the conduct of criminal cases in justice courts.
In 1857 he went to Albany, New York to attend the law school there. Upon graduation he passed the bar exam and was admitted to practice law in the State of New York. He reported his religion as Presbyterian.
The 1860 US Census finds the family living in the Third Ward of the City of Racine, Wisconsin. The family consisted of: Moses Adams (54 years old), Caroline (51), John B. (24), George H. (14), Caroline (10), Flavilla (12), and Charles (8). Living with the family was Lorne B. Wainwright (29). Moses now listed his occupation as "Superintendent of Public Schools," John was a "Lawyer," as was Mr. Wainwright. Moses now said he did not own any real estate, but he had personalty worth $1,000.00 ($39,000.00 in today's funds).
On September 20, 1860, John B. Adams married Susan Ann Jane Duncomb (1846-1863) in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. The Groom was twenty-four; the bride was sixteen. The marriage was reported in the Racine (WI) Advocate from October 3, 1860 from the St. Thomas Home Journal:
Susan Duncomb was born December 29, 1843 in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada to Dr. Elijah Ely Duncombe (1795-1870) and his wife Catherine Bouck (1802-1860). Sometimes the last name "Duncomb" had an "e" at the end of it - sometimes not. Dr. Duncombe was a noted physician and surgeon, treating his patients within a 100 mile radius by making the circuit on horseback. Here is a photo of Dr. Duncombe, his wife Catherine and their daughter Susan:
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| Catherine, Susan and Elijah Duncombe |
In April of 1861, even though he was only twenty-five years old, John Adams was elected County Judge of Racine County, Wisconsin. Here is an ad he ran during the period of his candidacy:
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| The Racine (WI) Daily Journal, 16 Mar 1861 |
John B. Adams' wife Susan Duncomb Adams died in 1863. She was only nineteen years old. I was unable to find any information of her cause of death or where she is buried. It is almost as if she never existed. Surprisingly there was no obituary or even a mention of her death in the Racine, Wisconsin newspapers.
John Adams married again - on August 24, 1864 to Caroline "Carrie" Belden (1839-1945) in Kane County, Illinois. Carrie Belden was born February 4, 1839 to Ira Belden (1802-1891) and Caroline Whitney (1803-1880). Ira Belden was a farmer by trade.
John and Carrie Adams were blessed with six children: Belden Adams (1865-1866), Cornelia Belden Adams (1867-1952), Caroline Adams (1868-1953), Florence Adams (1871-1871), Gertrude Adams/Mrs. Charles R. Roberts (1873-1947) and John Belden Adams (1874-1946).
John B. Adams was popular as a judge, so he had no trouble being reelected in 1865:
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| The Racine (WI) Advocate - 29 Mar 1865 |
In 1868 Adams resigned his office as a sitting judge and moved to beautiful Evanston, Illinois. Evanston was not a large place in 1868 - the population was approximately 4,000 people. Most life in Evanston was built (literally) around Northwestern University. Evanston had become a city only five years before - in 1863. Residents called Evanston "idyllic," and a great place to raise a family.
On November 13, 1868 Judge Adams announced that he had entered into a business partnership with the Chase Brothers, at that time real estate abstract makers for Chicagoland (such as it was back then):
After a year or so of working with the Chase brothers, Adams' eyes were giving him so much trouble he was obliged to leave their employ. Conditions at that time being favorable he engaged in real estate operations in Evanston and what became South Evanston, improving and putting on the market several subdivisions. After examining the Sanborn maps for Evanston from 1899 I found four subdivisions that contain Adams' name:
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| Adams & Wheeler's Addition |
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Adams & Brown's Addition
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Nate & Adams Addition
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| J. B. Adams Addition |
The 1870 US Census finds the Adams Family living in Evanston, Illinois. The census enumerator interviewed the family on June 8, 1870. The enumerator was the famous Evanstonian Philo Judson Beveridge. The family consisted of: John B. Adams (32 years old), his wife Cornelia (31), and daughters Cornelia (3) and Caroline (1). Also living with them were servants Hannah Johnson (22) and Eda Johnson (15). John Adams listed his occupation as "Real Estate." Cornelia was "Keeping House." John Adams said he owned Real Estate worth $100,000.00 ($2.5 million in today's funds) and Personalty worth $10,000.00 ($250,000 in today's funds).
In 1873 John Adams joined his previous associate Horace G. Chase to form Chase and Adams, Loan Agency of Chicago. Partly to facilitate his work, he compiled the Real Estate Statutes of Illinois from territorial times down to 1873. This work was in two large volumes and in connection with this a digest was made of all the decisions of the Illinois Supreme Court to 1873. The official title of the two-volume work was "Real Estate Statutes of Illinois: From its Territorial Organization to the Present Time: Together with Copious Notes From the Reported Decisions of the Supreme Court Construing Such Statutes, or Otherwise Relating to Real Estate and Titles Thereof."
Both volumes were published in Chicago in 1874. These works became the standard in Illinois in connection with real estate examination.
As a real estate developer/investor, Judge Adams quickly become involved in local politics. He was elected to the South Evanston Board of Trustees on April 15, 1873:
The elected Trustees of the Village of South Evanston chose John B. Adams to be their First President.
Here is a transcription of an ad from the Evanston Index from August 30, 1873:
SOUTH EVANSTON!
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Our South Evanston Lots are Selling Rapidly, and for the Following Good Reasons:
1st. They are all within 3 to 6 minutes walk of the Depot.
2nd. They are 18 to 30 feet above the lake.
3d. The new, large sewer, direct to the lake, will afford perfect drainage to every lot.
4th. Many of our lots are in a beautiful grove.
5th. Two new Churches, a new School House, a large new Depot, and side-track for freight and the passing of trains, will undoubtedly be constructed this year.
6th. Several buildings for stores will soon be constructed.
7th. South Evanston is the most thriving village about Chicago and property here is rapidly advancing in value.
8th. Our lots are cheap and desirable for improvement or an investment and the terms of payment are easy.
JOHN B. ADAMS,
Bryan Block, Chicago.
THOS. F. WHEELER,
Evanston.
Like all new developments that become villages or towns, South Evanston had to put together all the infrastructure that the citizens need: Fresh water, a sewer system, roads, police and fire protection, even schools. Here is a solicitation to build a school in South Evanston from the Chicago Tribune of October 10, 1873:
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| Chicago Tribune - 10 Oct 1873 |
The Board must have been satisfied with John Adams as its president because he was re-elected in 1874:
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| The Evanston Index - 9 May 1874 |
They were also still addressing infrastructure issues. In this case, lamp posts and gas powered street lights.
Judge Adams served a total of four terms as Village President: 1873-74, 1874-75, 1875-76, 1876-77. He also served nine terms as School Trustee.
Adams ultimately had to step away from his Village duties because from 1876-1886 he spent considerable time in the West in connection with some large mining companies financed in Chicago.
The 1880 US Census found the Adams Family living in the Village of South Evanston, Illinois. The family consisted of: John B. Adams (43 years old), wife Caroline (41), children Cornelia (13), Caroline (11), Gertrude (7) and John (5), a nephew George Foster (9) and a Servant, Minnie Conrad (18). John Adams said his occupation was "Real Estate & Loans." The older children were of course, "At School." The census did not list individual house numbers, but the South Evanston Directory said the family lived on the "south side of Washington Avenue; the first house west of Benson Avenue." Benson Avenue in this area became Elmwood Street, so the Adams family lived on the south east corner of Washington and Elmwood, When Evanston addresses were standardized in 1893 the new address became 906 Washington Street. A condominium erected in 1969 occupies that spot today.
Judge Adams lived in Evanston and South Evanston a total of twenty-four years: from 1868 to 1892.
Ill health forced Judge Adams and his family to leave Evanston in 1893 and move to his fruit farm near Saugatuck, Michigan.
The 1900 US Census finds the Adams family still in Saugatuck, Michigan. The family consisted of: John B. Adams (64 years old), wife Caroline (62), daughters Cornelia (33), Caroline (31), and Gertrude (27), son John B. (24) and Servant Charles Roberts (21). John and Caroline said they had been married 36 years; Caroline said she had given birth to six children, four of whom were still alive in 1900 (and all still living at home!). John listed his Occupation as "Farmer,", all three girls were "School Teachers," and son John was "Mechanical Engineer." Lastly, they said they owned the farm and were not renting it.
In 1902 (some sources say 1904), due to "nervous troubles," Judge Adams sold the fruit farm in Saugatuck. After spending several winters in a sanitarium, he decided to move to Florida. In January, 1906 he settled in Stuart because "it was the best fishing spot on the East Coast."
John Adams' many health problems did not keep him from getting back into politics once he settled in in Florida. In 1908 he was elected Justice of the Peace of Stuart.
The 1910 US Census finds the Adams family in all different directions. Judge Adams is living in Stuart, Florida - alone. His wife Caroline and daughter Cornelia were "Lodgers" at 300 Forest Avenue in Oak Park, Illinois:
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| 300 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois |
Caroline Adams the daughter was traveling; Gertrude had married and was living in Gilmore, Michigan, and I was unable to locate John the son in the 1910 Census at all.
In 1910 Judge John Adams he was elected County Judge of Palm Beach, Florida and was reelected in 1912 for a four year term. Then his health took a turn for the worse again, and he resigned from the Florida bench in 1914. At that time he was holding his thirteenth term of public office.
But it was not all politics for John Adams. In 1907 he started a collection of fish and snake skins which, at the time of his death, comprised over 600 pieces. With his characteristic humor, he left the collection to the Stuart Woman's Club.
Adams maintained his ties with Evanston by subscribing to the Evanston News-Index newspaper. In 1917 he wrote to J. Seymour Currey, president of the Evanston Historical Society: "The Evanston News-Index of 10th inst. has been sent to me an in it I see an account of an address by you on 'The Early Days of Evanston.' I lived in Evanston and South Evanston from 1868 to 1892...I am past 81 years of age...I am glad to know that you are still among the living and hope you are in good health."
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| John Adams 1917 Letter |
The 1920 US Census finds Judge Adams still in Stuart, Florida living on 4th Street but he has now been rejoined by his wife Caroline. Judge Adams is 83 years old; Caroline was 82, the told the enumerator that they owned their home, free and clear. Judge Adams listed his occupation as "Lawyer - Judge Retired."
Judge John Ballard Adams died September 27, 1924 in Stuart, Florida. He was eighty-eight years old. The Stuart (FL) Messenger newspaper printed a comprehensive obituary for him. The Evanston News-Index liked the Stuart obituary so much they reprinted the whole thing in their newspaper.
Here is a more abbreviated obituary from the Grand Haven (MI) Tribune, 20 Oct 1924:
Judge Adams was buried in Fernhill Memorial Gardens in Stuart: Old Section: Block 26, Lot 1, Grave 5.
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| Courtesy Find a Grave Volunteers Ken & Nancy |
Here is how the Stuart News ended its obituary of Judge Adams:
To the last the old judge maintained the interest of a lifetime in national and international as well as local affairs, discussing men and events with a mind that in his physical weakness still retained its remarkable grasp and power.
Integrity, fairness, the power and habit of reasoning, accuracy of memory, independence and positiveness of decision - these united with a will of unusual force were among the outstanding qualities of his strong character. He leaves behind him an enviable record and a respected memory. His death marks the passing of one more among that generation that helped build the Central West.
I was not able to find a photograph of Judge Adams, but Ernest Lyons, editor of the Stuart News in describing the judge said he would never forget his long, flowing white beard, his clear blue eyes, and his dignity.
Judge John Ballard Adams, First President of the Village of South Evanston - may he rest in peace.
The Rest of the Story:
Caroline Ballard Adams - Judge Adams' obituary referred to his "invalid wife" Caroline. She died on November 27, 1924 in Buffalo, New York where she had moved to be with her daughter and namesake Caroline. She was 86. She is not buried next to her husband in Florida, she is buried with her parents in the Belden Family Plot in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago.
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| The Buffalo (NY) Courier Express - 09 Oct 1924 |
Cornelia Belden Adams - In February of 1920, Cornelia Adams moved to Stuart, Florida, to take care of her elderly parents. Cornelia never married, and when she did work she was a schoolteacher. Not surprisingly John and Caroline Adams left their home at 105 W. 4th Street in Stuart, Florida to her upon their deaths. She spent her remaining years as world traveler and was also a member of many organizations in the Stuart area. Cornelia Adams died June 2, 1952 at the age of 85. Here is her obituary from the Stuart (FL) News from May 08, 1952:
She is buried next to her father in Stuart, Florida. The tombstone is hard to read but her information is on the right:
Caroline Adams - Caroline was also a school teacher and like her sister Cornelia never married. She moved to Buffalo, New York to be a companion to her aunt Mrs. James Ganson and never left. She died January 18, 1953 at the age of 86. Here is her obituary from the Buffalo (NY) News from January 19, 1953:
Caroline was cremated at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. The disposition of her cremains is unknown.
Gertrude Adams Roberts - The only one of the Adams sisters to marry, Gertrude married Charles R. Roberts on September 24, 1903 in Saugatuck, Michigan, and they went on to have five children. Charles Roberts was a farmer. Gertrude Adams Roberts died March 3, 1947 in Evart, Michigan at the age of 74. She is buried in the Cherry Valley Cemetery in Hartwick Township, Michigan. Here is her obituary and tombstone:
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| The Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer - 04 Mar 1947 |
John Belden Adams - was an electrical engineer by trade. On January 9, 1915 he married May Constance Hook in Oak Park, Illinois. They did not have any children. John Adams died September 17, 1946 in Buffalo, New York. He is buried in the West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. Here is his obituary and tombstone:
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| The Stuart (FL) News - 26 Sep 1946 |
