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BIOGRAPHIES OF TIPTON COUNTY, TN "A"
Benjamin Adams, of Tipton County, Tenn., was born in Sumner County, Tenn., April 12, 1812, and is a son of Collins and Martha (Goodsum) Adams, both natives of Virginia. The father was born in 1768 and was married twice: first to Miss Mary Tias, a native Southampton, Va., and by this marriage had two sons and a daughter. This wife died in 1801 or 1802, and in 1804 he married Miss Martha E. Goodsum and they had seven children. The father did not unite with any church, but was a true Methodist and had all of his children baptized in infancy. He died in 1814. The was also a devout Methodist and died in 1851. Benjamin Adams received a good education at Rural Academy, in Sumner County, and at an early age commenced farming. His father died when he was an infant and upon the division of his large estate, a large number of slaves fell to his share and a guardian was appointed to look after his interests; but all of his slaves, excepting one, were poisoned by an old negro woman; and after losing his slaves, which constituted most of his property, he came to West Tennessee and settled in Tipton County, being one of the early settlers, and by untiring energy and perseverance, was soon able to own a little farm, and since then has been gradually adding to it, and now owns 890 acres of the best land in Tipton County, and though somewhat advanced in years, superintends his farm himself, which yields him a large income. October 22, 1835, he married Miss Sarah T. Brown, a native of Sumner County, Tenn., born in May, 1814 and died February, 1880. Mr. Adams is a sound Democrat and a strict member of the Methodist Church and one of the prominent and worthy citizens of Tipton County.
Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)
John Adams, a prosperous, energetic farmer of Tipton County, was born in Chester County, S. C., December 25, 1817. His parents were Samuel and Mary (Park) Adams, who were both natives of Ireland. The father was born in 1781 and died in 1867. The mother was born in 1791, and died in 1863. In early life the came to America, landing at Charleston, S. C., and located in Chester County, S. C., but a few years later moved to Tipton County, Tenn., and settled ten miles south of Covington, where they lived the rest of their lives. The father was a most successful farmer. John Adams, by his own perseverance and application secured a good education in his youth and at an early age commenced farming. In 1846 he went to Louisiana, and settled on Red River near the Arkansas line; five years later he moved to Tipton County, and settled in the seventh district, ten miles south of Covington, near his father's place. In 1866 he moved to Richardson's Landing, on the Mississippi River, but at the end of four years moved back to Tipton County, to his present home in the Sixth District, twenty miles south west of Covington. Mr. Adams has been married twice, first to Mrs. Amanda (Lamb) Densford, who was born in Tipton County in 1840. Mrs. Adams died July 5, 1866, and July 20, 1871, he married Miss Virginia L. Mathews, born in Shelby County, Tenn., in 1847. No children have been born to this marriage. Mr. Adams has possessed more than ordinary energy; having commenced life a poor boy; by his close application to business and clear judgment he has acquired a handsome property, now owning 750 acres of valuable land in Tipton County, and good cotton-gin, and during the past few years has been raising fine stock, especially fine horses. Mr. Adams never fails to give his enthusiastic support to the Democratic party. He is a consistent member of the Associated Reform Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. Adams is a worthy member of the Baptist Church.
Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)
James L. Adams, a well known citizen, farmer and lumber dealer of Munford, Tipton Co., Tenn., is a native of Robertson County, Tenn., born June 24, 1838, and is a son of Rev. Louis and Lucinda (Thacker) Adams. The father was born in Virginia, October 11, 1798; the mother in Kentucky on October 1, 1803. The father by his own efforts acquired a good education in youth; in early life he commenced farming but in 1828 he quit the farm and prepared himself for a broader work, that of preaching of the Gospel. He entered the ministry of the Methodist Church, joining the Tennessee Conference, and for twenty-two years was an itincrant preacher of that conference. In 1850 he was transferred to the Memphis Conference, and was an itincrant preacher of that conference for fourteen years, and in 1863 located and sustained superannuated relations with the conference. He was a devout man an able preacher, relying largely upon the inspiration of the moment for his simple heartfelt utterances instead of tedious preparation, which was one secret of his success. He died January 23, 1878, and was buried at the old family graveyard one mile west of Munford. The mother died July 29, 1886, and was buried by her husband. James L. Adams received a good education in his youth, and commenced farming when young; he moved with his parents to Tipton County, and settled sixteen miles southwest of Covington. In 1861 he entered the Confederate service, in Company A, Fifty-first Tennessee Infantry, and was placed in Gen. Cheatham's division. He took part in the battle of Perryville, Ky., in the retreat from Dalton to Atlanta, and at Franklin, Tenn., where he was severely wounded and captured, and after being sent to Nashville, Louisville and Camp Chase, Ohio, he got a parole at Richmond, Va., March 5, 1865, and returned home and resumed his farming and lumber business, and has met with good success. July 19, 1863, he married Mary C. McFadden, born in Rutherford County, February 10, 1842, and three sons and a daughter were born to this marriage; two sons are dead. Mrs. Adams died August 9, 1884. Mr. Adams is an enthusiastic Democrat, and an active and worthy member of the Methodist Church. He is a generous and upright man.
Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)
William N. Armstrong, a substantial citizen and farmer of Tipton County, was born in Gaston County, N. C., September 26, 1845, and is a son of Andrew J. and Mary J. (Robinson) Armstrong. The father is a farmer, and was born in North Carolina, December 11, 1819, and is still living; the mother was born in South Carolina, July 4, 1815. They were married October 10, 1814, and moved to Tipton County in 1852, settling near old Portersville, ten miles south of Covington. The father is a Democrat, and both parents strict members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. William N. was the oldest of four children; after completing his education, he commenced farming; he was but seven years old when his parents moved to Tipton County, and has since then made it his home, excepting one year (1867) that he spent in Arkansas. November 5, 1867, he married Miss Sarah T. Boyd, who was born in South Carolina, May 22, 1845; her parents moved to Tipton County, when she was a child, and settled ten miles south of Covington. Three children have been born to this marriage: Erastus O., born August 18, 1870; William L., born February 27, 1878; and Vera C., born October 19, 1884. Mr. Armstrong has always been a Democrat; in August, 1882 he was elected magistrate in his district, and still holds the office. In 1871 he bought a farm, placed good improvements on it and moved to it the same year; he owns 280 acres of fertile land. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Armstrong belong to any church, but prefer and attend the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a man of fine principles, and well liked by all.
Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)
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