Mrs. Sarah Adams Remembers Early Days in Poweshiek County

ADAMS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/18/2013 at 15:29:05

The Grinnell (IA) Herald (1922)

MRS. SARAH ADAMS OF MONTEZUMA RE-
MEMBERS THE EARLY DAYS IN
POWESHIEK COUNTY
---------------------------------
Her Husband Was
Grinnell's First Postmaster
---------------------------------
WAS BROUGHT FROM MONTEZUMA FOR
THE PLACE AS THERE WAS NO
DEMOCRATS HERE.
---------------------------------

Mrs. Sarah Adams of Montezuma passed her ninetieth birthday Febraury 22, and enjoyed the day with a few of her close friends about her. Mrs. Adams came to Montezuma from Indiana with her husbsnd, C.G. Adams, Sr., a veteran of the Mexican War, in 1850. Mr. Adams was a prominent citizen of the county. He served in various official capacities and was the second clerk of courts for the county, which was organized in 1848.

The Palladium says:

"When the town of Grinnell was established the government of course established a post office there. This was during the administration of James Buchanan. There being no democrats up that way, Mr. Adams was assigned to the task and temporarily resided in Grinnell throughout his regime as postmaster. It seems partisan lines were about as tightly drawn in the earlier days of the county as they are today. Barring this temporary sojourn in Grinnell for a period of something like two years, Mrs. Adams' residence has been continuous in Montezuma since 1850, almost seventy-one years, and during all of this time she has resided in practically the same location, the present home of her son, C.G. Adams, on West Main street.

"This is certainly out of the general order of things and a record to be proud of. Mr. Adams died in 1881, nearly forty years ago. This lady, despite her many summers takes deep interest in local affairs, even politically. In the face of the handicap in a late start at voting, she braved snow and cold wind, walked to the polls early in the morning last election day and cast her vote for Cox and the balance of the democratic ticket."