He was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, on 18 April 1848, to John E Adams and Elizabeth Hammons. [sources: date: 7 (Apr 1847), 11 (18 Apr 1848), 2 (19 in 1865), 3, 7 (52 in 1900), 8 (62 in 1910), 9 (71 in 1920), 13 (78 (?) in 1926), 14 (18 Apr 1848), 15 (3 in 1850), 16 (13 in 1860), 17 (22 in 1870), 18 (32 in 1880). place; 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14 (Green County PA), 15, 16, 17, 18. parents: 14 (John E and Mary), 15 (?mother Elizabeth), 16 (?mother Elisabeth), 18 (? mother Elizabeth), 19]
In 1850, he was apparently living in Center Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania. He was living with John and Elizabeth Adams (perhaps his parents), and with Elija and Sarah (perhaps siblings). [source: 15]
In 1860, he was apparently living in Center Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania. He was living with John adn Elisabeth Adams (perhaps his parents), and with others (including siblings). [source: 16]
When he enlisted, he was a farm[er]. [sources: 2, 3]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 8 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, grey eyes, and black hair. [sources: 2, 3]
He was a substitute for S W Vanatta. He enlisted and was mustered into service on 17 March 1865, at Brownsboro [?] (or Brownstown?), Pennsylvania. He was enlisted for one year, by Captain Cathburn [?]. He was mustered in as a private in company K. His service was credited to the 93rd subdivision of the 24th congressional district. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 21]
He mustered out with his company on 10 July 1865. He was a private, in company K. [sources: 1, 6 (4 July), 12, 21]
He married Mary M Dunlays. She was born in 1852/53, in Virginia. They apparently had these children:
[source: 17, 19]
In 1870, he was apparently living in Center Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania. He was living with Mary M (presumably his wife) and Milton (presumably their children), and was living next to his apparent parents John and Elizabeth Adams. He was a laborer, and owned $100 in personal property. [source: 17]
In 1880, he was apparently living in Center Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania. He was divorced. He was living with his parents John and Elizabeth Adams, with siblings, and others. He was a laborer, and had been out of work two months in the previous year. [source: 18]
In 1881-1884, he married Hannah Palmers. She was born on 10 June 1852, in Chesterhill, Morgan County, Ohio, to Hiram Palmer and Priscilla Deweise. This was the second marriage for both of them. (Perhaps the Anna Morrison (born October 1878, Ohio) living with them in 1900 is her daughter by her first marriage.) They had at least these children:
[sources: 4, 7, 8, 14, 20]
In 1890, he was living in Troy Township, Athens County, Ohio. [source: 6]
On 9 March 1892, he applied successfully from Ohio for a pension. [sources: 5, 12]
In 1900, he was living in Bloomington Township, McLean County, Illinois. He was living with his wife Hannah, his children Mildred, Dessie, John, Lucille, and Iris, and his step-daughter Anna Morrison. He was a laborer, and had been out of work for one month. [source: 7]
In 1910, he was living in Hickory Point, Macon County, Illinois. He was living with his wife Hannah, and children John, Lucille, and Iris. He was apparently not working. [source: 8]
On 18 July 1910, he again applied for a pension. [source: 12]
Around 1910, he moved from Haworth to Forsythe. [source: 11]
In 1920, he was living in the Illinois Sailors and Soldiers Home, in Riverside Township, Adams County, Illinois. He was living with his wife, Hannah. He was not working. [source: 9]
On 11 August 1926, he attended a reunion at Sullivan, Illinois. He was then living in Forsyth [?]. [source: 13]
He died on Friday 1 March 1929, at 7.30 AM, in Forsythe, Macon County, Illinois, of heart problems. He attended the Forsythe Methodist Church. He was a member of the Dunham Post, GAR. On 3 March 1929, he was buried in Hayworth Cemetery, Hayworth, McLean County, Illinois. [sources: 11, 12, 14, 20]
On 20 April 1929, his widow, Hannah Adams, applied successfully from Illinois for a pension. [source: 5, 12]
In 1930, his widow, Hannah Adams, was living in Hickory Point Township, Macon County, Illinois. She was living with her daughter Lucille and two grandsons. [source: 10]
His widow, Hannah M Palmer Adams, died on 11 September 1934, in Flat Branch Township, Shelby County, Illinois. She was buried in the Hayworth Cemetery, Hayworth, McLean County, Illinois. [source: 20]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 company K, third descriptive roll (George W Adams)
3 company K, fourth descriptive roll (George W Adams)
4 'James Lee Family Tree', a gedcom, available on Rootsweb WorldConnect, last revised 4 January 2004 (viewed September 2006) (George W Adams)
5 pension index, by name (George W Adams)
6 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Ohio, Athens County, Troy Township, supervisor's district 7, enumeration district 16 (George W Adams)
7 1900 US census, Illinois, McLean County, Bloomington Township, supervisor's district 7, enumeration district 79, microfilm series T623, film 321, page 79 = sheet 14 A handwritten (George W Adams)
8 1910 US census, Illinois, Macon County, Hickory Point, supervisor's district 10, enumeration district 153, microfilm series T624, film 308, page 190 = sheet 10 [?] B handwritten (George W Adams)
9 1920 US census, Illinois, Adams County, Riverside Township, Illinois Sailors + Soldiers Home, supervisor's district 7, enumeration district 27, microfilm series T625, film 296, page 266 = sheet 11 B handwritten (George Adams)
10 1930 US census, Illinois, Macon County, Hickory Point Township, supervisor's district 22, enumeration district 58-46, microfilm series T626, film 538, page 215 = sheet 18 A handwritten (Hannah Adams)
11 George Adams [death notice]. Decatur Evening Herald (Decatur IL), Friday 1 March 1929, page 3 (George Adams)
12 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (George W Adams)
13 'Old veterans who were at reunion'. The Decatur Daily Review, 17 August 1926, page 6 (G W Adams)
14 Illinois, deaths and stillbirths, 1916-1947, abstract available on FamilySearch (accessed 28 February 2012) [identification is confirmed by the date and place of death, which matches the pension index #12 above] (George Washington Adams)
15 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Greene County, Center Township, microfilm series M432, film 783, p.274 recto = 545 handwritten (Washington Adams)
16 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Greene County, Center Township, microfilm series M653, film 1114, page 306 = 128 handwritten (Washington Adams)
17 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Greene County, Center Township, microfilm series M593, film 1348, page 155 verso = 22 handwritten (Washington Adams)
18 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Greene County, Center Township, supervisor's district 8, enumeration district 67, microfilm series T9, film 1133, page 140 = 22 B handwritten (Wash Adams)
19 'John Walden family connections', a gedcom, available on RootsWeb WorldConnect, contact John Shelby Walden, updated 24 April 2010, accessed 29 Feb 2012 (George Washington Adams)
20 Find a grave, memorial 61371160, added by SJP, 9 Nov 2010, accessed 2 March 2012 [identity is confirmed by reference on the stone (pictured) to his service in the 91st] (George Washington Adams)
21 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (George W Adams)
The pension index by unit card (#12 above) gives us his date of death, and the death notice (#11) gives us enough information to identify him in the 1890 through 1920 census records. The death certificate (#14) above tells us that his parents were John E and Mary Adams. Crucially, the death notice also tells us that he had four surviving brothers:
name | residence in 1929 | 1930 census | 1920 census |
Elijah Adams | Fairmont Marion County WVa | Elijah Adams, 83, b. PA Cameron District, Marshall, WV series T626, film 2543, page 29=5A handwritten wife Rebeca J (73 b. WV) and stepgrandson Leroy W Allenby (7) | Elija Adams, 73, b. PA Cameron, Marshall, WV T625, 1952, 234 = 12 A handwritten wife Rebecca J (62 b. WV) |
Harvey Adams | Fairmont WVa | ? | perhaps Henry P Adams, b. 1841 Marion, West Virginia spouse Mary J, children .... |
John Adams | Chillicothe [Ross County] Ohio | ? | |
Henry Adams | Bellair [Belmont County] Ohio | Henry L Adams, 65, born PA in Bellaire, Belmont, Ohio microfilm series T626, film 1751, page 14 B wife Cora C |
I have found at least ten candidates for George W Adams before his marriage to Hannah Palmers. Of these, the first best matches the above data. Further, I have found no other Elijah Adams with a brother George Washington (searched 'Elijah Adams, born 1844-1849 PA, living in PA 1850-1860' on FamilySearch, 2 March 2012). (And I have not located anyone else in the 1900 census who could be him.) I have therefore assumed in my summaries above that he is the George Washington Adams who served in the 91st.
line | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 |
Dwellings visited | 112 | ||||
Families visited | 112 | ||||
Name | John Adams | Elizabeth " | Elija " | Washington " | Sarah " |
Age | 37 | 25 | 5 | 3 | 10/12 |
Sex | M | F | M | M | F |
Color | M | M | M | M | |
Occupation of males over 15 years | Farmer | ||||
Real estate owned | 1,200 | ||||
Birthplace | " [sc. Pa] | " | " | " | " |
Married within year | |||||
Attended school within year | |||||
Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
line | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 |
Dwelling number | 935 | ||||||||||
Family number | 920 | ||||||||||
Name | John Adams | Elisabeth Adams | Elijah Addams [sic] | Washington Adams | Sarah Addams [sic] | Mariah Adams | Harvey Adams | Louisa Adams | Jonathan Adams | Elisabeth Adams | Mariah Adams |
Age | 47 | 35 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 5/12 | 90 | 45 |
Sex | M | F | M | M | F | F | M | F | M | F | F |
Color | |||||||||||
Occupation | Farmer | ||||||||||
Value of real estate owned | 2,500 | ||||||||||
Value of personal estate | 1,000 | ||||||||||
Place of birth | Penna | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " |
Married within year | |||||||||||
Attended school within year | |||||||||||
Cannot read & write | |||||||||||
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
line | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
Dwelling-house number | 151 | 152 | |||||||||||
Family number | 151 | 152 | |||||||||||
Name | John Adams | Elizabeth | Elijah | Harvy | Johnathan | Henry | Emma | Amanda | Susan | Eve Chedister | Washington Adams | Mary M | Milton |
Age | 56 | 42 | 24 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 5/12 | 23 | 22 | 17 | 9 [?] /12 |
Sex | M | F | M | M | M | M | F | F | F | F | M | F | M |
Color | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | W | M | M | M |
Occupation | Farmer | Keeping house |   | Laborer | Keeping house | ||||||||
Real estate value | 5000 | ||||||||||||
Personal estate value | 500 | 100 | |||||||||||
Birthplace | Penna | Virginia | Penna | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | Penna | Virginia | " |
Father foreign born | |||||||||||||
Mother foreign born | |||||||||||||
Birth month if born within year | Feb | Oct | |||||||||||
Marriage month if married within year | |||||||||||||
Attended school past year | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Can't read | 1 | ||||||||||||
Can't write | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||||||||||||
Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
line | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
street name | ||||||||||||||
house number | ||||||||||||||
dwelling visit # | 213 | |||||||||||||
family visit # | 213 | |||||||||||||
name | Adams John | " " Elizabeth | " " Wash | " " John | " " Henry | " " Emma | " " Amanda | " " Susanna | Adams Wilson [?] C [?] | - Elizabeth | -Allice | Adams Hannah | - Dorsey M | Adams Mariah |
color | Mu | Mu | Mu | Mu | Mu | Mu | Mu | Mu | Mu | Mu | Mu | Mu | Mu | Mu |
sex | M | F | M | M | M | F | F | F | M | F | F | F | M | F |
age | 65 | 55 | 32 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 24 | 1 | 62 [?] |
month born if born in year | ||||||||||||||
relationship | Wife | Son | Son | Son | Daughter | Daughter | Daughter | Grand Son | Grand Daughter | Grand daughter | Daughter in Law | Grand Son | Sister | |
single | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
married | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
widowed/divorced | D |   | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
married during year | ||||||||||||||
occupation | Farmer | Keeping House | Laborer | |||||||||||
months unemployed | 2 | |||||||||||||
currently ill? | ||||||||||||||
blind | ||||||||||||||
deaf/dumb | ||||||||||||||
idiotic | ||||||||||||||
insane | 1 | |||||||||||||
disabled | ||||||||||||||
school this year | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
can't read | ||||||||||||||
can't write | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
birthplace | Md | W Va | Penna | " " | " " | " " | " " | " " | W Va | Penna | " " | W Va | Penna | " |
father's birthplace | Md | Md | " | " " | " " | " " | " " | Pa | Penna | " " | W Va | Penna | Md | |
mother's birthplace | Md | Ohio | Ohio | " " | " " | " " | " " | " " | W Va | Penna | " " | " " | W Va | W Va |
line | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 |
street | ||||||||
house number | ||||||||
dwelling number | 248 | |||||||
family number | 252 | |||||||
name | Adams George W | - Hanah | - Mildred P | - Dessie [?] | - John | - Lucile | - Iris | Morrison [?] Anna |
relationship | Head | Wife | Daughter | Daughter | Son | Daughter | Daughter | S Daughter |
color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
sex | M | F | F | F | M | F | F | F |
birth date | April 1847 | June 1852 | Mar 1884 | Dec 1886 | Dec 1888 | Jan 1893 | Aug 1894 | Oct 1878 |
age | 52 | 47 | 16 | 18 [sic] | 11 | 7 | 5 | 21 |
married? | M | M | S | S | S | S | S | S |
# years married | 18 | 18 | ||||||
mother of how many children? | 8 | |||||||
# of children living | 7 | |||||||
birthplace | Pennsylvania | Ohio | Ohio | Ohio | Ohio | Ohio | Illinois | Ohio |
father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Ohio |
mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Ohio | Ohio | Ohio | Ohio | Ohio | Ohio | Ohio |
immigration year | ||||||||
# years in USA | ||||||||
naturalized citizen? | ||||||||
occupation | Laborer | At school | At school | At school | ||||
# months not employed | 1 | |||||||
# months in school | 8 | 8 | 8 | |||||
can read | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | |||
can write | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | |||
speaks English | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | |||
owned/rented | O | |||||||
free or mortgaged | F | |||||||
farm/house | H | |||||||
# of farm schedule |
line | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 |
street | |||||
house nr | |||||
dwelling nr | 146 | ||||
family nr | 150 | ||||
name | Adams George W | - Hanna | - John Q | - Lucile | - Iris |
relationship | Head | Wife | Son | Daughter | Daughter |
sex | M | F | M | F | F |
color | W | W | W | W | W |
age | 62 | 60 | 20 | 17 | 14 |
marital status | M2 | M2 | S | ||
#years present marriage | 26 | 26 | |||
mother of # children | 5 | ||||
mother of # living children | 5 | ||||
birthplace | Pennsylvania | Ohio | Ohio | Ohio | Illinois |
father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Ohio | [illegible] | [illegible] | [illegible] |
mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Ohio | [illegible] | [illegible] | [illegible] |
immigrated | |||||
naturalized/alien | |||||
speaks English | English | English | |||
occupation | |||||
nature of industry etc. | |||||
employer etc. | |||||
out of work 15 Apr 1910? | Yes | ||||
# weeks out of work 1909 | Yes | ||||
can read | Yes | Yes | |||
can write | Yes | Yes | |||
school since 1 Sep 09 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
owned/rented | O | ||||
owned free or mortagaged | M | ||||
farm/house | H | ||||
nr on farm schedule | |||||
civil war vet | [blank] | ||||
blind | |||||
deaf & dumb |
line | 64 | 65 |
street | Old Library | |
house number | x | |
dwelling visit number | 24 | 24 |
family visit number | ||
name | Adams George | - Hannah |
relationship | Head | Wife |
own/rent | [blank] | |
free/mortgaged (if owned) | ||
sex | M | F |
race | W | W |
age at last birthday | 71 | 68 |
marital status | M | M |
year of immigration | ||
naturalized/alien | ||
year of naturalization | ||
attended school since Sept 1919 | ||
can read | yes | yes |
can write | yes | yes |
birth place | Pennsylvania | Ohio |
native language | ||
father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Ohio |
father's native language | ||
mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Ohio |
mother's native language | ||
can speak English | Yes | Yes |
occupation | None | None |
industry, business | ||
employment status | ||
number of farm schedule |
line | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
street | ||||
house number | ||||
dwelling visit # | 4 | |||
family visit # | 4 | |||
name | Adams Hannah | Leham [?] Lucile | - Everett | - Walter |
relation | Head | Daughter | Gr Son | Gr Son |
owned/rented | O | |||
value or rent | 1000 | |||
radio | ||||
farm | no | |||
sex | F | F | M | M |
color | W | W | W | W |
age | 77 | 36 | 17 | 15 |
married? | Wd | Wd | S | S |
age 1st marriage | ||||
school/college since 9/29 | No | No | No | Yes |
can read & write | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
birthplace | Ohio | Ohio | Illinois | Illinois |
father's birthplace | Ohio | Ohio | Illinois | Illinois |
mother's birthplace | Ohio | Ohio | Ohio | Ohio |
native language | ||||
immigration year | ||||
naturalization | ||||
can speak English | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
occupation | none | none | none | none |
industry | ||||
worker class | ||||
at work yesterday | ||||
unemployment schedule # | ||||
veteran? | ||||
war | ||||
farm schedule # |
Sullivan, Aug. 17--Soldiers of the Civil war attending the reunion of the Veterans Battalian here Aug. 11 saw service with regiments and companies of several states. Their registration Wednesday, with age, company, regiment, state and their present place of residence, is as follows:
SULLIVAN.George Adams died at 7:30 o'clock Friday morning in his home in Forsyth. His death was caused by heart trouble. He moved from Haworth to Forsyth 19 years ago.
Mr. Adams was born in Washington, Pa., on April 18, 1848. He leaves, besides his wife, the followin gchildren [sic]: Mrs. W. O. Myers, Gridley; M. E. Adams, Haworth; Daisy Adams, Haworth; Mrs. Mildred Williams, Des Moines, Ia [?]; John Adams, Des Moines, Ia, Mrs. Dessie Groupman, Maros; Mrs. Lucille Lehman, Forsythe. He also leaves four brothers, Elijah Adams, Fairmont, W. Va; Harvey Adams, Fairmont, W. Va.; John Adams, Chillicothe, O., and Henry Adams, of Bellaire, O. He also leaves 22 grandchildren.
He attended the Methodist church in Forsythe and was a member of the Dunham post, G. A. R.
The body was taken to the Dawson & Wikoff funeral home. No funeral arrangements have been made yet.