Francis M. McAdams was a gardener. John McAdams, Sr., and Catherine Stewart were married in Pennsylvania, of which State they were natives, about the year 1797; coming to Ohio in 1804 or 1805, they settled in Champaign County, near the present site of Kingston, where they lived to the end of their days, he dying June 16, 1839, in his eighty-fifth year, she dying March 26, 1839, in her eighty-second year. Their offspring were Isaac, born 1798, died 1869; Samuel, born 1800, died 1832 (was killed by a fall from a horse); Elenor (Dillon), born 1808, died 1865; Nancy (Spain), born 1806; John, born 1808, died 1866; Archibald, born 1812, died 1845; William, born 1814. Both the paternal and maternal ancestry were of Scottish descent, but about all that is known of the family tree is what is above stated. The elder McAdams was a large, muscular man, fitted for the pioneer days in which he lived. He was fond of the sports of the chase, and usually kept about him the fleetest dogs and horses in the country. He served his township as Justice of the Peace for a series of years, and was prominent in the public affairs of his county. He served in the war of 1812 in the capacity of scout. He was a great story-teller, and had a foot nearly double the ordinary size. John McAdams, Jr., and Rachel Graham were married by Peter Igou January 21, 1829. The Grahams were of Irish descent. To them were born Ellen, Eliza J., Samuel, Melona, Francis M., Mary A., Harriet and Ruth. These all grew to mature years and married. Francis Marion, the subject of this sketch, is the youngest son, and sixth child of the family. He was born near the head-waters of Treakle's Creek, in Union Township, Champaign County, Ohio, October 13, 1838. He spent the years of his minority on the farm where he was born, and assisted materially in bringing up the family, giving some attention to school during the winter season, thereby obtaining more than an ordinary common school education, and in later years became an efficient teacher. July 17, 1861, he married Susannah M., the second daughter and fourth child of Warren and Susannah Freeman, of Goshen Township, Champaign County. The Freemans were from Ontario County, N. Y. Mrs. McAdams was born July 17, 1843. To this marriage have been born nine children, all of whom are still living, to wit: Charles Francis, born September 5, 1862; Janet Gertrude, born June 12, 1866 ; Laura Eliza, born April 5, 1868; Eva Marie, born May 6, 1869; Carrie Amelia, born April 15, 1871 ; Lydia Catherine, born May 9, 1873; Susie May, born February 16, 1876; Howard Deuel, born August 8, 1880; Ralph Thomas, born September 25, 1882. August 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served as a private some months, when he was promoted to a noncommissioned officer, and at his muster out was Second Sergeant of his company. His regiment campaigned in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas, sharing the well-fought fields of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw, Bentonville and other lesser engagements. After the close of the war, our subject was selected by his regimental comrades to write the history of the command, a duty for which experience as a writer and the possession of a vast amount of the necessary data, made him particularly qualified. His writings found in the histories of Champaign, Clark and Fayette Counties, to which he contributed largely, attest his ability as a writer. From 1865 to 1870, he sold general merchandise in the village of Mutual ; then he became a resident of Mingo, and resumed the same business, continuing for several years. After residing at Mingo nearly twelve years, during which time he was twice elected Justice of the Peace, besides serving the public in other capacities, be purchased property in the north suburbs of Richwood, and November 10, 1881, came to that village, having in view the business of gardening. Mr. McAdams takes an active interest in public affairs, speaks his sentiments openly, scans public men and public measures carefully, and votes the Republican ticket continually. He and his wife and the adult members of the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.