Biographical Sketch of

John Adam

Transcribed by Barbara Voss


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 468 - 469


John Adam is the owner of a fine farm situated on section 32, in the town of Green Lake, Green Lake County. He was born 
in London, England. On the 13th of November 1834, being the son of Thomas W. and Ann (Johnson) Adam, a native of 
Aberdeen, Scotland, emigrated to England in early life, his location being Rochester, Kent, where he worked at his trade 
of shoe making. He was seventy seven years of age at the time of his death and had a family of nine children, of whom 
Thomas W. was the second in order of birth. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a native of England where he 
followed the occupation of boat building. He too lived to a ripe old age and his wife died at the advanced age of ninety 
years. They were the parents of eight children, Ann being the eldest.

Thomas W. Adam was born in Rochester, Kent, England, about 1800, and received a good education. In his youth he learned 
the baker’s trade which he followed during the greater part of his life with the exception of the last few years which 
he spent as a farmer. He married Ann Johnson in Cullercoats, Northumberland, England, and they began their domestic life 
in London, where a family of ten children was born unto them. The father died at the age of sixty three years his wife in 
the 68th year of her age.

There were but two of that family who ever became residents of America – John of this sketch, and Frances, who became 
the wife of Benjamin Bagnall of Milwaukee, but is now deceased. Our subject received his education in the schools of 
his native city and at the age of fourteen years began learning the baker’s trade which he followed until his emigration 
to America. In 1854 when a young man of twenty years he determined to cross the broad ocean and try his fortune in the 
New World. On landing on the shores of this country, he came direct to Green Lake County where he obtained a position as 
farm hand by the month, working in that capacity until 1861, when he went to Minnesota and purchased a small tract of 
land, making his home thereon until the close of the war, when he returned to this county and soon afterwards bought the 
farm on which he yet makes his home. 

On the 26th of February 1868, Mr. Adam led to the marriage altar Miss Anna Steers, daughter of George R. and Anne 
(Johnston) Steers. She was born in Long Cross, Surrey, England July 22, 1838 and in 1849 came with her parents to this 
country.

Mr. Adam is now the owner of 170 acres of fine land, his farm being splendidly located on the shore of Little Green Lake, 
about a mile and a quarter north of Markesan. His home is a commodious and substantial residence and the entire 
surroundings indicate the supervision of a careful and pains taking owner who by his friends is regarded as one of the 
leading farmers of the township. Politically he is a Republican and socially, is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He 
belongs to the Episcopal Church and is a man of sterling worth, held in high regard by all who know him.



Transcribed by Barbara Voss






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