James Adams

James Adams (January 24, 1783 – August 11, 1843) was a nineteenth century Illinois lawyer and close friend of Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. James Adams, the son of Parmenio Adams and Cleo Nering, was born on January 24, 1783, at Simsbury, Connecticut. He married Harriet Denton (1787-1844) in 1809 at Hartford, Connecticut, and later moved to Oswego, New York. He served in the United States Army during the War of 1812. In 1821 he settled in Spri... more

James Adams (January 24, 1783 – August 11, 1843) was a nineteenth century Illinois lawyer and close friend of Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. James Adams, the son of Parmenio Adams and Cleo Nering, was born on January 24, 1783, at Simsbury, Connecticut. He married Harriet Denton (1787-1844) in 1809 at Hartford, Connecticut, and later moved to Oswego, New York. He served in the United States Army during the War of 1812. In 1821 he settled in Springfield, Illinois where he became a pioneer attorney of Sangamon County. He was elected justice of the peace in 1823. He served in the Winnebago War in 1827, as well as the Black Hawk War in 1831-1832. Because of his military service he was often addressed as "General Adams." He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Illinois in 1834. He participated in a long-running newspaper battle with Abraham Lincoln beginning in May 1837, over the transfer of a city lot. He was made a probate judge in 1841. He was also longstanding member of the... less