William B. Adams 1843 - 1915

ADAMS, SMITH

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/10/2016 at 22:30:02

The Correctionville News,
4 February 1915, page 1:

Aged Pioneer Killed By Horse at Smithland.

William B. Adams, 71 years old and a pioneer of Woodbury County, was killed at his home in Smithland last Friday night, being kicked and trampled on by horses in his barn. Mr. Adams was discovered unconscious early in the evening by a neighbor, Ward Fence. He died six hours later without having regained consciousness. It is believed that he fell from his wagon beneath the feet of the horses.

William Harrison Adams was born in Boone County, Indiana, in December 1843. When twelve years of age he removed to Woodbury County with his parents. It is said that during his boyhood he was regarded as the champion ox-driver of the county. In 1855-57 he and his brother, Wallace Adams, became intimately acquainted with the Indian Chief, Inkpadutah, who is said to be the leader of the band of Indians who committed the famous Spirit Lake Massacre in April 1857. During the Civil War he enlisted in Company K of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry and served throughout the war. While at home on a furlough he was united in marriage on March 20, 1865, to Miss Helen Smith, a daughter of Orrin B. Smith. The widow and three children, Earnest M. Adams, Mrs. Earnest W. Foster, and Orrin Elijah Adams, survive the departed.

Mr. Adams was a member of the I.O.O.F. and also the Knights of Pythias. He had always taken an active part in the local politics of his town. He was supervisor of the Little Sioux district from 1890 to 1895, and was one of the first members of the board of school directors. He held the office of justice of the peace three terms, and was three times mayor of Smithland.