William Timothy Adams was born March 27, 1856 in Valparaiso, Indiana, to George Adams (1832-1859), and Matilda Schneider (1835-1892). They were married in Cleveland. Oh February 20, 1855.

Laura Vinson was born in Montgomery County, Tennessee on September 9, 1859. Her parents were James Vinson a Rachel Elizabeth Owens. Both families moved to Norris Ci' where William and Laura were married on November I 1877. The family remained in Norris City for several year then went to Chester where William was employed by the Wabash, Chester & Wester R.R. They moved to Mt. Vern about 1893 and lived with their large family at the corner 17th and Broadway. After being seriously injured in a railroad wreck, Mr. Adams worked for many years as a collector for Illinois Power Co.

Their children were: Jesse May Adams, b. in Norris City, July 22, 1878. She m. Keith Stratton, son of Rynd Laud Stratton. Their two children were Lavina, b. June 7, 1903. m. Morton Laird, and d.June 14, 1974 in Montpelier, Vermont; Rynd Lauder, b. January 3, 1908, d. in St. Louis July 3, 1964. Emma Perle Adams. b. in Norris City April 8, 1880, d. November 8, 1940. On April 8, 1908. she married James R. Allen in Mt. Vernon. He was in the feed and coal business. They are buried in Bethel Cemetery. Their daughter, Beulah Nevada Allen, was b. March 22, 1908. Her two marriages were to Clifford Douglas Ledbetter and Hugh Stelle Winkler.

Lena Adams, b. in Norris City April 10. 1882. She m. Crawford Wilbanks, whose father was a former clerk of the Appellate Court. and the mother was Winona Tanner. Crawford was a yard master for the Mo Pac RR in Dupo. They lived and raised their large family in East St. Louis. Their children were: Robert, b. February 14, 1902, d. California: Wilbur Leslie, b. December 23, 1903, d. in California, 1944: Laura, b. January 23, 1905. lives in Hemet, California; William, b. March 18, 1908, d. in Florida November, 1925: Betty. b. October 17, 1914; Elinor, b. 1916, lives in Leesbury, Florida.

Georgia Adams, b. in Norris City, August 14, 1884, d. in St. Louis May 11, 1943. She first married Gaylord Satterfield in Mt. Vernon and then Guy McConaha. He was a telegrapher for Mo Pac RR.

Matilda Adams, b. in Norris City January 6. 1887, m. Ross Gowdy of Enfield, d. in Long Beach, California, September 15, 1968. Their children were Edward. b. July 12, 1906 and lives in Los Angeles; Mary Alice, b. March 10. 1908 and lives in Long Beach; and Aline, b. February 21. 1909, d. June 28, 1928.

Birdie Adams, b. in Chester, IlL June 16. 1889, m. Dr. Henry Webb, a dentist in West Frankfort. She died August 22, 1972. They raised a foster daughter, Charlotte (Mrs. Harold Clarke).

Eva Adams, b. in Chester February 2, 1892. d. in Mt. Vernon November, 1945. She married Earl G. (Tiny) Carroll, who was principal of the Old Field School for many years and later of the Jr. high school. He was one of Mt. Vernon's best loved teachers. Eva also taught school: their three children were Mary Jane. b. October 26, 1914, m. Lacy Payne: Earl Webb, b. February 20, 1917, (called "Tiny"), lives in Houston, Texas; and Doris, b. May 26, 1920, m. Robert Melcher and lives in Chandler. Arizona.

Wilbur Leslie Adams, b. in Mt. Vernon December 12, 1894, d. in Mt. Vernon September, 1950. He married Eunice Price of Evansville, Indiana. He was personnel manager for the Mt. Vernon Car Mfg. Co. Their two children were Wilbur Leslie, Jr.. b. August 7, 1922 and lives in Miami. where he is an attorney: and Jean Alice, b. April 18, 1925. m. Wendell Taylor. They live in Champaign.
- Beulah Allen Winkler

*NOTE* Some ommisions may have occured to protect living individuals.

Source: Facts and Folks of Jefferson County, Illinois Page 72 & 73
Submitted by Sandy Whalen Bauer