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CSA

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SQUIRE WILLIAM MEEK ADAMS (1847-1929) was born in the lower section of Gaston County, North Carolina, on Crowder's Creek, near Bowling Green, on April 17, 1847, a son of John Hope Adams (1811-1893) and Isabella Carroll Henry (1818-1854). At the age of seventeen, he enlisted with the South Carolina troops in the Confederate army and was assigned a position on the staff of General Wade Hampton. He served in eastern North Carolina, where he saw active service.

In the early days of the 1880s, he settled in Gastonia when it was still a small crossroads village. He lived to see it become a major city in North Carolina and a center for the American cotton textile industry. For many years, he a well-known notary public, justice of the peace, registrar of vital statistics, chairman of the board of pensions and a cotton buyer. 

In November 10, 1870, Meek Adams was married to Miss Nancy Hannah Adams (10/10/1847-1/9/1930), a first cousin, daughter of Robert Adams. They became the parents of six children: (1) Lavinia (10/14/1871-12/1/1932) m. Samuel William Bradley; (2) Thomas Henry (1/19/1873-11/18/1930); (3) Rose May (5/1/1876-11/17/1926) m. Robert Clyde McLean; (4) Leslie McElwee (8/8/1881-11/27/1950) moved to Phoenix, Airzona m. Mabel Louise ____; (5) Mary Hope (10/4/1878-4/22/1942) m. James Hutchison Workman; and (6) Wister Caldwell (10/9/1885-9/12/1965) m. Lucy Jane Bradley.

"He is a picturesque character," quoted an article on Squire Adams appearing in "Main Street Sketches" by the Gastonia Gazette in 1925. "Erect and military in his bearing, neatly dressed and with a long white beard, he is a perfect picture of the old-time Southern soldier and country gentleman. Genial, talkative, and full of reminiscent tales and anecdotes, he makes good company for anyone wishing a picture of things as they were years ago." 

Squire Adams died at his home in Gastonia onJanuary 23, 1929, at the age of 81. His wife Nancy died the following year, on January 9, 1930, at age 82. They are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Gastonia.

Contributed by Robert Allison Ragan, February 18, 2016.

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Name W. Meek Adams

Event Date 23 Jan 1929

Event Place Gastonia, Gaston, North Carolina

Gender Male

Race (Original) White

Race White

Age (Original) 81y 9m 6d

Birth Date 17 Apr 1847

Birthplace Gaston Co., N. C.

Marital Status Married

Father's Name John Hope Adams

Father's Birthplace North Carolina

Mother's Name Isabella Henry

Mother's Birthplace S. C.

Occupation Justice Of The Peace

Cemetery Oak-Wood Cemetery

Burial Date 24 Jan 1929

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