George Madison Adams (December 20, 1837 – April 6, 1920) was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky, nephew of Green Adams, and slaveowner.

George Madison Adams
A man with dark hair and a mustache wearing a dark jacket and vest, light tie, and white shirt
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kentucky's 9th district
In office
March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875
Preceded byJohn McConnell Rice
Succeeded byJohn D. White
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kentucky's 8th district
In office
March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1873
Preceded byWilliam H. Randall
Succeeded byMilton J. Durham
21st Clerk of the United States House of Representatives
In office
December 6, 1875 – December 5, 1881
Preceded byEdward McPherson
Succeeded byEdward McPherson
49th Secretary of State of Kentucky
In office
September 3, 1887 – August 25, 1891
GovernorSimon Bolivar Buckner
Preceded byJames A. McKenzie
Succeeded byWillis Ringo
Personal details
Born(1837-12-20)December 20, 1837
Barbourville, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedApril 6, 1920(1920-04-06) (aged 82)
Winchester, Kentucky, U.S.
Resting placeLexington Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
RelationsNephew of Green Adams
Alma materCentre College
ProfessionLawyer
Signature
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Union
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Union Army
Rank Captain
UnitCompany H, 7th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Early years

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Adams was born in Barbourville, Knox County, Kentucky, on December 20, 1837.[1] He received private instruction from his father and studied law at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, but did not graduate.[1][2] He served as clerk of the circuit court of Knox County, from 1859 to 1861.[1]

During the Civil War, he enlisted in the Union army, raised a company of volunteers and was captain of Company H, 7th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, from 1861 to 1863.[2] In 1863 he was appointed additional paymaster of volunteers with the rank of captain, serving until 1865.[1]

He was a slaveowner, as was his son.[3][4]

Career

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Adams was elected as a Democrat to the Fortieth and to the three succeeding Congresses from March 4, 1867, to March 3, 1875 (41st, 42nd and 43rd congresses).[1] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1874 to the Forty-fourth Congress.[2]

Adams was elected Clerk of the House of Representatives on December 6, 1875, during the Forty-fourth Congress, and served until the commencement of the Forty-seventh Congress, December 5, 1881.[1][2]

He was appointed register of the Kentucky land office by Governor J. Proctor Knott and served from 1884 to 1887. He was appointed secretary of state for Kentucky by Governor Simon B. Buckner and served from 1887 to 1891. He was appointed Kentucky State railroad commissioner in 1891. He was appointed United States pension agent at Louisville by President Grover Cleveland and served from 1894 to 1898.[2]

Last years

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After retirement he resided at Winchester, Clark County, Kentucky, until his death April 6, 1920. He was interred at Lexington Cemetery at Lexington, Kentucky.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Johnson 1906, p. 39
  2. ^ a b c d e f US Congress, id: A000035
  3. ^ "Congress slaveowners", The Washington Post, 2022-01-13, retrieved 2022-01-14
  4. ^ "Hugh White Adams · Civil War Governors of Kentucky". discovery.civilwargovernors.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.

Sources

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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kentucky's 8th congressional district

1867 – 1873
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kentucky's 9th congressional district

1873 – 1875
Succeeded by
Government offices
Preceded by Clerk of the United States House of Representatives
1875–1881
Succeeded by
Edward McPherson
Political offices
Preceded by Secretary of State of Kentucky
1887–1891
Succeeded by
Willis R. Ringo