The county seat of Adams County, Wisconsin, is Friendship. The county was created in 1848 and organized in 1853. Sources differ as to whether its name is in
honor of the second President of the United States, John Adams, or his son, the sixth President, John Quincy Adams.
In 1840, when Wisconsin was still a territory, Adams County was the southwestern section of Brown County. In 1836, Portage County was created and
included most of present-day Columbia County, including the city of Portage, Wisconsin. In 1846, Portage County was renamed Columbia County.
The area from the northern boundary of Columbia County to Lake Superior was removed from Brown County and was then called Portage County.
In 1848, the southern part of Portage County was renamed Adams County and included all of current-day Adams County and the northern section
of Juneau County. Adams County was organized in April 1853. In 1858, The northwestern part of Adams County was joined with the northern part of
Sauk County to form present-day Juneau County. At this time, Adams County took its current shape.
It is important to know this history when searching for your ancestors, as they might be in a surrounding county.
Counties that border Adams County are Wood, Portage,
Waushara, Marquette,
Columbia, Sauk and
Juneau. |
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