John Duncan Adams
Source: "Men of Mark in South Carolina" By James Calvin Hemphill Published 1907
transcribed and contributed by Barb Ziegenmeyer

ADAMS, JOHN DUNCAN, United States marshal for the district of South Carolina, was born in the county of Laurens, in the state of South Carolina, on May 1, 1860. His father was James D. Adams; his mother's maiden name was Harriet Gunnells. Mr. Adams's great-grandfather, John Adams, came from England and settled near Fairview, Greenville county, in 1740, after having lived a few years in the state of Pennsylvania. Among his distinguished ancestors were Simeon Peter Adams, his grandfather, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, and afterwards built the first cotton gins used in his section of the country. The father of John D. Adams was a farmer by occupation, and the subject of this sketch grew up and passed his early life in the country. He was a healthy boy, fond of horses and outdoor sports, and had always a strong desire to travel. In his country life he had many regular tasks which involved manual labor, and being by several years the eldest of four children who were born after the War between the States, in which his father served for four years, and as a consequence of which he lost his slaves and finally his lands, Mr. Adams was his father's only help and began work on the farm before he was ten years old, continuing his labors until he was eighteen, and doing all kinds of farm work. This discipline, he believes, has helped him greatly in making his way through life. Home influences were very strong in the development of Mr. Adams's character; the influence of his mother especially shaped all the best qualities of his nature. He had few opportunities for acquiring an education, being able to avail himself only of the facilities offered by the common county schools; but he has learned much in the great school of life. In 1878 he left the farm and was impelled by circumstances to work as a clerk in a general merchandise store in Laurens, South Carolina, for several years. But he was always ambitious, fond of the companionship of older men than himself, and glad to seize any opportunity of honorable advancement which offered itself. For several years he was a traveling salesman for a hardware house of Baltimore, Maryland. He is identified with the Republican party in South Carolina, having changed his political allegiance upon the issues of free silver and the tariff. In February, 1902, he was appointed deputy United States marshal for the district of South Carolina. He resigned this office on August 1, 1902, and was appointed on the same day deputy collector of internal revenue, in which post he served until February, 1903, when he was appointed United States marshal for the district of South Carolina, which position he still holds. When the Spanish-American war broke out, Mr. Adams was elected captain of a military company at Laurens, South Carolina, and applied for foreign service, but was too late to join the regiment going to Cuba. Mr. Adams is a member of various prominent fraternities and clubs, namely: Of the Palmetto lodge, No. 19, Free and Accepted Masons; Rising Sun chapter, No. 9, Royal Arch Masons; Commandery No. 4, Knights Templar; Oasis Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Charleston Commercial club; of the Hibernian society, of Charleston, South Carolina; of the Saint Patrick society; and of the National Union, W. D. Simpson council, No. 925. He has held the position of king of chapter No. 9, Royal Arch Masons; J. D. of Palmetto, No. 19, Free and Accepted Masons; and president of W. D. Simpson council, No. 925, National Union. He is a member of the Methodist Church, South. While Mr. Adams has given no special attention to athletics or any modern system of physical culture, he has always been fond of outdoor exercises, of riding and of driving. Mr. Adams has been married twice: First, on January 17, 1883, to Maggie Haynes; second, on August 14, 1902, to Annie Keller. He has had six children, four of whom are now living,—two by each marriage. His address is No. 95 Rutledge avenue, Charleston, South Carolina.