The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-03-21
HON. ID. w. ADAMS.
MASTER NATIONAL eHAsor, =. or.

We present to the readers Of the A1yo-
CATE tins week with very striking DOR
trait Of Hon. Dudley W. Adams, Master
OF the National Grange Patrons Of Hus
bandry and supplement- it with a brief sketch
OF his life. The portrait speaks for it.
self. The merest tyro in the science Of
physiognomy will see at q glance that in
the portrait Of Mr.. Adams there is execn-
tive ability: and combined with that are
earnestness, decision, application, calculA-
ton and honesty. The possession Of these
traits commended him to the National
Council, and thus far its choice has been
heartily approved.
Dudley W. Adams was born in Winchen-
don, Massachusetts, November 80, 1881.
The son of farmer parents, he passed the
first twenty-One years of his life in the
Luxurious occupation Of tilling small ster-
lie New England farm the monotony only
varied by brief attendance upon the dis
trict school, and, after acquiring the rudi-
ments, BY teaching short winter terms.
At twenty-one years of age, Mr.. Adams
came West and settled in Allamakee coun-
ty, Iowa. He opened farm of wild land
that year (1852-3), and has resided on it
ever since. His first year in Iowa he was
honored by his neighbors by being made
President of the Allamakee County Agri
cultural Society, and his deep interest in
everything pertaining to agriculture has
caused him to maintain his connection, in
various capacities, with that society ever
since. Soon after he commenced giving
his time largely to horticulture, and that
has been his principal business up to this
time. He carried . surveyors compass at
odd times for some years, to aid in keep
ing the wolf from the door while his trees
were growing. His neighbors often called
upon him to serve them in miner capaci-
ties, as assessor, school director and presi
dent Of the school district, ETC. In 1865
he led the forlorn hope as candidate for
State Senator from Allamakee county, but
was defeated with the whole ticket.
About this time that county was consid-
cred insOlvent, its warrants selling slowly
at fifty cents on the dollar. They also had
bitter county seat fight between Waukon
and Lansing. His neighbors elected him
at this critical juncture to the County
Board of Supervisors, giving him q unani-
nous vote. He served them by re-elec-
tions for near four years, three Of which
he was chairman of the board. During
this time the county warrants were re
deemed, and have since always been at par
and the county seat quarrel was removed
to Waukon. where it now remains.
In January, 1868, the Iowa State Hor-
ticultnral Society elected Mr.. Adams, Sec
retary, having never at that time attended
one of their meetings. He was unani-
mously reelected until he held the position
five years, declining 9 reelection last
winter on account Of his time being
absorbed by Grange duties. In January
1871, On the organization Of the Iowa
State Grange, he was chosen Master of the
temporary organization for one year. The
next winter he was elected for the full
term. Last winter he was chosen Master
of the National Grange for three years,
and resigned a. master of the State Grange.
When he was chosen Master of Iowa State
Grange there were but ten Oranges in the
State-when he resigned there were about
800. When he was elected Master OF the
National Grange, there we're l, 200 Oranges;
now there are nearly 5000.
In the above brief history, it will be seen
that Mr.. Adams has led an active, stirring
career. While nearly his whole life has
been identified with the stern, practical
and exscting duties of agriculture, he has
yet given Q fair share Of leisure time to the
excitements Of public life, thus qualifying
him in o marked degree for the honorable
and laboriOus duties now devOlved upon
him. He IL in measure a self-made man
and yet his diversity of knowledge on cur
rent topics-as evidenced by his public
addresses wide and varied anG en-
titling him to be ranked a. one Of the
marked men of the country. In social life
Mr.. Adams is popular and entertaining.
He has an easy and winning address, and
in bland and conciliatory in his intercourse
with friends. In his business relations he
exhibits strong common sense aud deep
sense Of justice. In all relations of private
life Mr.. Adams has always shown himself
to be solid aud sensible man, and in pub
lic life . gentleman of deep convictions,
and an active supporter of whatever he
deemed to be just and tAue.-Industrioi
Age.