Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-03-26
THE LATE NATHAN ADAMS.
Tribute to the Memory OF Good
and Prominent Citizen.

Stanton Cor. Brownsville States and Bee.l
Mr.. Adams was born May 2, 1910,
in Strabane, Ireland, and diedin Nash
vile, Tennessee, March Is, 1881. His
sufferings, though very severe, were
Of short duration. He was taken i'll
at nine o'clock am, and died at $3.50
pm. Heart disease was the trouble.
When quite a child, he left ireland
and came with his parents to the
United States, making Philadelphia
their first home in the new world. His
father dying while he was still a child,
his mother, with her sons and daugh-
ters, left Philadelphia and moved to
Nashville, which she, from that time,
made her home.
Mr.. Adams was the youngest of
twelve children, but one survives
Mrs. Mary Crockett, mother of the
late Geo. d. Crockett, of Memphis,
aged and feeble, still fingers near the
banks of the dark river. Though de-
prived Of the precious privilege of
beholding the beauties Of nature, and
looking into the faces of earthly loved
ones, she will soon be permitted to see
again those so dear to her heart, that
have preceded her to hal Beautiful
Home Above"
Mr.. Adams was educated and fitted
for business in Nashville. When
quite a young man he came tc the
Western district, engaging in business
first at Covington, and afterward at
W~esley-the latter place at that time
a thriving, prosperous town lives
now only in the memory Of a few old
citizens that remain in this communi-
ty. In its stead Stanton has grown up
Just a mile distant. During the
time that he was engaged in business,
by strict integrity and fair dealing he
won the respect and esteem of the peo-
pie, which he enjoyed through
the many years that he remained in
this vicinity. l think it was while
engaged in business at Wesley that he
was married to Miss Grace Stanton,
from whom he was separated by death
in 1877.
He was an excellent inancier; hence
the very large estate of which he be-
came possessed upon the death of Mr..
Stanton, his father-iH-law, was 80
well managed that, although the lar
gest part Of the estate consisted Of
slaves, the close of the war found Mr..
Adams still possessed of property in
value almost, if not quite, equal to the
estate which Mr.. Stanton had left
only two or three years prior TO the
war. He was for years one of the
board of directors Of the Memphis and
Ohio railroad. He was also at one
time president of the road.
Though much attached to his splen-
did country home, which, at much ex-
pense, he had so greatly beautifed
and adorned, still he was fond of
travel-as was specially shown in the
past few years of his life. He seemed
greatly to enjoy his trip to the old
world; and his accounts of what he
witnessed were quite interesting, and
at the same time instructive.
Many years ago he quit merchandise
ing and retired to the quiet of coun-
try farm life. He was converted un-
der the preaching Of the Rev. Daniel
about the year 1643. He at
once Joined the Presbyterian church,
and was very soon elected elder. From
that time until the day of his death
he continued a correct, upright, work
ing Christian. Having erected the
altar, he kept it up till the
Two or three years of his
life were spent in the Meth
dist church, but in sentiment he was
a Presbyterian. He was as far
being a s~ectarian bigot as any
man we ever knew.
He contributed literally Of his
means to building the three churches
at Stanton. He did much for the
needy, but did it SO quietly that in
many instances it was known only to
the beneiciaries, himself and his God.
have seldom known a man to do
more good with his wealth.
About nine years ago he erected a
magnificent monument to the memory
Of Mr.. Stanton and his wife. 1t cost
ten or twelve thousand dollars. In
the vault are four apartments, two for
Mr.. and Mrs. Stanton, the other two
for Mr.. and Mrs. Adams. 1t is in
we believe, to have the re-
mains Of Mr.. and Mrs.t Stanton re,
from the old family hurying
ground to the vault. This monument
is built Of the finest and most durable
marble, and for beauty and magnif-
cence is surpassed by but few even 10
our largest cities,
On Sunday morning, the 10th of
March, a large crowd assembled at the
Presbyterian church to witness and
take part in the solemn services, con-
Quoted by Rev. Mr.. Gillespie. The
closing song, What a Friend We
Have in Jesus" so full Of such beau
tiful sentiment, vas a favorite of his
while he was superintendent of the
Sabbath school of his church. In.
that large crowd there we're many sad
hearts besides those of relatives. Yes
there were those present whose hearts
had been made glad many times by his
acts Of kindness, The services ended
his body was borne to its long resting
place and then placed with his wife,
who had preceded him a few years, &c i
remain until the sleeping millions off
earth shall be awakened. We ever
regarded him a digniRed, christian
gentleman, and say to those he has
left, initiate his example.