"HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY 1884"
CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR.  CHICAGO:  F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS.  1884.
F. A. BATTEY.  F. W. TEPPLE

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 824

LAWRENCE ADAMS, is a native of Ireland and was born April 22, 1804. His 
parents, John and Annie  (Byron) Adams, were also natives of Ireland.
His father came to America in 1820, but returned to Ireland five years
later, where he died in 1830. The mother died in 1812 at her native place.
Lawrence is the youngest in a family of fifteen children, he began 
learning blacksmithing in Strasberg, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.
After staying there for ten years, he came to Spencer, where he worked
at is trade and ran a small confectionary for six years; after which 
time he returned to Pennsylvania. In 1837, he was married to Mary Blair
a native of Ireland. By this union there was one child--Maria J, who 
died in July of 1841. The mother died January 4, 1882. After his marriage
he returned to Spencer, worked at his trade for many years and also ran
a confectionary. For the last few years, he has retired, and is now
living with his adopted son, Solomon Fouts, an energetic carpenter of
Spencer. Mr. Adams has reared and educated five orphan children, which 
fact plainly shows that he is possessed of rare goodness and kindness
of heart. He has been for many years a consistent and active member of
the Presbyterian Church. He is highly esteemed by all who know him.

DATA ENTRY: Debbie Jennings