SEVENTH GENERATION

58. WILLIAM JASPER ADAMS was born on 4 Jul 1849 in REYNOLDS CO, MO. 1885 BUILT HOTEL - ADAMS HOUSE, FESTUS, MO from Biograpical Appendix for Jefferson Co., Missouri, Goodspeed's volume for Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and Gasconade Counties, Mo. Pub 1888.
"William J Adams, native of Reynolds County, Mo was born on the 4th of July 1849, and is the youngest of 14 children born to William and Mary (Parker) Adams, who came from near Nashville, Tn to Missouri, in 1821, locating in Reynolds County. William Adams resided in Reynolds County until shortly before the breaking out of the late war, when he went to Texas and remained until the cessation of hostilities, when he returned to Missouri, where he died in 1866 (?perhaps 1896), at a ripe old age. When William J was but seven years of age his mother died, after which he lived with his elder sister for a number of years. His education was that usually obtained in the common school only during the winter. At the age of twenty-five he was united in marriage to Miss Sally S Puckett, the event taking place near Festus, Apr 22, 1873. She is a daughter of Robert and Eliza (Silva) Puckett, and was born August 24, 1852......In 1872 Mr Adams established a hack line from Bailey Station to Crystal City, which venture was made with but a small capital, but proved remunerative to such a degree that the proceeds enabled him to purchase forty acres of land on the present site of Festus. This tract, which was heavily timbered, Mr Adams cleared, and in 1876 sold the first business lot in what is now the town of Festus to T. J. Loveless, who established a retail Grocery thereon. After this he disposed of several other lots to those disirous of engaging in business, the proceeds of which he devoted to improvements, and has built several commodious residences. The development of the town was so rapid that in 1885 he was induced to erect a commodious hotel building, the Adams House, which he still owns and has the management of. He is also the owner of three houses and lots in the town. At present he is a member of the board of aldermen, and at one time served as school director. He and his wife are members of the old school Presbyterian Church. In matters political he has always voted the Democratic ticket, but is liberal minded."

He was married to SALLY PUCKETT (daughter of ROBERT PUCKETT and ELIZA SILVA) on 22 Apr 1873 in FESTUS, MO. WILLIAM JASPER ADAMS and SALLY PUCKETT had the following children:

116 i. WILLIAM HERBERT ADAMS was born on 31 Jan 1874.
117 ii. ROBERT LASEY ADAMS was born on 10 May 1875.
118 iii. ALLEN NELSON ADAMS was born on 1 Aug 1880. He died on 20 Apr 1881.
119 iv. JULIA ESTHER ADAMS was born on 26 Dec 1883. She died on 22 Dec 1887.