To have attained the age of fourscore years and still be actively engaged in the constructive work of the world is in itself a distinction that entitles one to consideration in a work of this nature. When a lifetime of effort has been expended in building up an enterprise that has contributed substantially to the development of a community it is doubly fitting that an account of its outstanding events should be preserved for succeeding generations. Thus it is with unusual interest that the reader takes up the biography of John Quincy Adams, whose business career in Johnstown dates back for sixty years. He is the third son of Ira L. and Lucinda (Burdick) Adams and was born in Stillwater, January 31, 1843. His paternal line is descended from Robert Adams of England and Newbury, Massachusetts, who is thought to have been the son of Robert and Elizabeth Adams and through his father the cousin of the famous Henry Adams of Braintree, Massachusetts, ancestor of Presidents John and John Quincy Adams and founder of a most distinguished family of Americans.
John Quincy Adams obtained a public school education, then until he was nearly twenty years of age worked on his father's farm. On the 13th of February, 1862, he embarked upon his business career by coming to Johnstown, where he was associated with his brother, Amos M. Adams, for about two years. In 1864 he set out for himself by establishing a leather dressing business here, which he ran for twelve years by doing job work for others — dressing buck and deer skins. He began buying and dressing his own skins in 1876 in a small way and from this modest beginning built up the wonderful concern known in the leather industry today as the Adams Buckskin Company, Incorporated. It is the largest and possibly the oldest buckskin manufacturing firm in the United States at the present time and boasts one of the best equipped leather dressing plants in the world. The chief products are oil-tanned deer and Jack buckskins for the manufacture of gloves, mittens, and white and colored shoes.
As the business grew to be too big for a single man to handle, Mr. Adams took V. J. Lasher and his elder son, William J. Adams, into partnership in 1895, under the firm name of Adams & Co. This association continued until 1908, when Mr. Lasher retired from the firm, his place being taken by Mr. Adams' other son, Arthur L. Adams. The sons now share much of the burden of the active management of the business, although their father has never withdrawn from the business and continues to keep in close touch with its daily routine, as well as to give his advice and help in matters of major importance. Lest the impression be gained that Mr. Adams' business life has been one unbroken succession of achievements it should here be noted that more than once he has encountered reverses that were everything but ruinous. Several times fires have destroyed his plant, but each disaster has seemed only to confirm his faith in his business and himself. The fires had scarcely been extinguished before he was scheming to keep his establishment going by some makeshift method until permanent quarters could be again secured. Each time the plant was rebuilt it was planned on a larger and more ambitious scale than before. And each time events have justified his actions, for the volume of trade grew in proportion to Mr. Adams' ability to care for it. In all the years he has been in the leather business Mr. Adams has never had a complete shutdown in his plant. Strikes, breakdowns and fires have all failed to put it out of order entirely, although at times various departments have had to be closed for longer or shorter periods. No doubt this determination to "carry on," this resolution to fill the orders of his customers, no matter what the obstacles were to be overcome, has been a big factor in Mr. Adams' success. He has had that rare quality, absolute dependableness, and it has been appreciated by his business associates and customers.
Mr. Adams married Miss Phoebe Miller on November 9, 1864. His bride was then a little more than twenty-one years old, her birth having occurred January 13, 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Adams became the parents of four children: Jennie, born October 3, 1866; Luella, born July 4, 1870, who died October 20, 1878; William J., born November 25, 1872; and Arthur L., born August 26, 1878. Both sons are members of the firm and active in its management. William J. was married on November 27, 1890, to Miss Lulu Spalding and their children are: Mildred S., born October 30, 1891; Luella C., born May 31, 1893; and David W., born August 31, 1901. Arthur L. was married in 1900, to Miss Lottie Porter of Gloversville, who died on January 5, 1920. No children were born to this union. In 1922 Arthur L. Adams was married to Mina M. Bristol of Tupper Lake.
Formerly Mr. Adams took a deep interest in civic affairs. As the father of a family growing up in Johnstown he was especially interested in matters of education and served for nine years on the local board of education, during which period he was chairman of the building committee. In this office he had supervision of the erection of three large school buildings in the city and gave very generously of his time and attention to this work. Mr. Adams is a republican politically and has long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of this city.