Samuel E. Adams
One of the most notable examples of success furnished by the mercantile establishments of Washington C. H. is that of the dry-goods and notion store owned and conducted by Mr. Adams. Although of recent inception, it has enjoyed a steady increase in facilities and trade, until at the present time it is one of the leading establishments of the kind in Fayette County.
The proprietor of the store, to whom is due the large measvre of success enjoyed, is a native of Fayette County, and was born in Perry Township, August 19, 1850. His father, Trustin Adams, removed from Delaware to Ohio in 1832, and began merchandising in Monroe, Highland County, where he remained for some time. The latter part of his active life was spent in farming pursuits, in which he met with success until the infirmities of age compelled him to cease from his labors. He passed away from this life February 9, 1892.
At the age of fourteen, our subject began clerking for his father and, while quite young, gained a practical idea of business. His father selling out to his brother and brother-in-law, he remained with them for a time, but being desirous to increase bis education, he took a commercial course in the business college at Portsmouth, Ohio. Afterward, he clerked for G. W. Anderson &. Co., of that city, then visited Kansas and spent a short time at Wamego. Returning to the old homestead, he assisted his father in his farming operations until 1871, when he entered the store of his brother, W. B. Adams, at Greenfield, Highland County.
After remaining twenty months with his brother, our subject came to Washington C. H. and in January, 1882, embarked in business as a grocer. His store building was a small building on Court, between Fayette and North Streets, but after geting fairly started, he removed to a larger building in the same block. He continued in the grocery business, which he constantly enlarged, until September 9, 1887, when he sold out. November 10 following, he embarked in the notion trade, and in the spring of 1888 added a full line of dry goods. In September, 1891, he removed to the block which he at present occupies, on the corner of Court and Fayette Streets. He gives constant employment to three clerks, and is often compelled to add extra help during the busy seasons.
When freed from business cares, Mr. Adams finds leisure and enjoyment of all the comforts of home at his residence on the corner of Washington Avenue and Hopkins Street. The other members of his family are his wife, formerly Miss Alice Gustin, of Wilmington, Ohio, to whom he was married July 5, 1883, and their three sons: Lee Offa, Gilbert Gustin and William Eben. Mr. Adams is Steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is also a devoted member.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]