Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-09-10
PIONEER MANCHESTER |
MERCHANT SUMMONED
IRA p. ADAMS PASSES AWAY AT
HIS HOME ON UNION STREET
AFTER LONG ILLNESS.
FUNERAL HELD THIS AFTERNOON
Conducted Hardware Store in Man.
chester for Many Years. Active
PiOfeer Church Worker.

his home in this city Sunday evening,
September 7th. 1919, following an ill
ness Of about three years. Funeral
services were held at the Methodist
Episcopal church this "wednesday
AFTERNOON at 2:s0. Rev. S. r. Beatty
conducted the services. 1nterment
was made in Oakland cemetery.
Mr. Adams was born in Essex coun-
|ty, Vermont, July /, 1882. In 1851 the
family moved to Troy, New York.
where he lived for six years. when he
came to Delaware County. arriving
here January Z, 1857. When Mr..
Adams came to Manchester there were
only two or three general stores, a
frame hotel, mill dam and about
dozen dwelling houses in the village,
known as Burlington. He and Ira
|U. Butler opened q hardware store,
and in 1866 he formed . partnership
with Lucius w. Adams, and Tor many
years Adams Brothers was leading
hardware firm Of the city. They also
operated lumber yards and elevators
here. Mr.. Adams erected the first ell
evator In Manchester.
MI. Adams was deeply religious
and was one Of the charter members
OF the local Methodist Episcopal
church. For nearly fifty years he was
class leader, q member Of the Of
ficial board, and contributed heavily
toward the finances Of the church. IN
fact during the first few years Of the
church's history Mr.. Adams and the
late VIM. Cattron bore the financial
burdens OF the organization. He took
keen interest in the early day camp
meetings, and kept up his interest IN
all religious activities until rev
wears ago when the weight OF years
brought on physical breakdown.
MI. Adams was united In marriage
with Miss Gracia Estabrook, Of Essex
Icounty, New York. and she died In
Manchester on July 23rd, 1881. On
April 4, 1882, he was united In mar
riage with Mrs. Lucy p. Snyder, O.
Belmont, Iowa, and she passed away
January nth, 1903, He is survived
by the following children: Alfred Z.
Adams, Of Chicago: Elmer G. Adams.
Ipf Delhi, Iowa: Mrs. Clara B. Fergu-
son, OF Hopkinton; Mrs. Mary Peter
son and Mrs. Sadie e. Ferry OF Man
chester; Mrs. Grace Thompson Of
l Minneapolis, and Mrs: Bessie Krause
LOT st. Paul. One SON, Orison, died five
years ago at Little Rock. Arkansas.
He also leaves seven grand children
land nine great grand children.
During the many years Of his wear
Iisome illness Mr.. Adams was given
the best Of care by the devoted daugh-
teri, Nrs. Ferry and MRS. Peterson.
For nearly two years he was confined
to his bed and Mr.. Ferry waited on
|his aged father-in-law constantly
Providence was kind to Mr.. Adams In
That he was spared the physical pain
lso often accompanying the infirmittes
lof old age. He was free from pain
even at the last and his spirit was
lpermitted to enter the portals OF
leternal rest as peacefully as though
Ihe fell asleep after q days toll.
The passing Of Mr.. Adams removes
from Delaware County one OF the
pioneers, who shared the hardships
land pri~ations incident to the life Of
1.-The early day settlers. He had relis.
|icus convictions and dared to stand
Iby them. In the early days when
manchester was infested with the open
saloon Mr.. Adams exerted his In
1fluence in the cause of temperance
and clean living. He leaves to his
ichildren the heritage OF a noble
IChristian character, the Influence OF
which was felt in this community for
more than half century.
The sympathy Of many friends Is
Iextended to the children, who on this
day lay to rest in Oakland cemetery
the remains Of q Christian father.