"Major Dawson Adams, who died at the home of his son-in-law, A. I. Cooke, April 8th, was born and raised in Waynesburg. He was the son Robert Adams, deceased, who was one of the early settlers of our town. Major Adams had passed the 79th anniversary of his birth, just the day before he died.

He was married in 1837 to Nancy Ledwith, daughter of Richard Ledwith, deceased, and the husband and wife had spent a long and happy period together, broken at last by the death of the former. Mrs. Adams is now in her 74th year. Eleven children were born of their marriage, only five of whom are now living. These are: Robert, Mrs. Mary Myers, Mrs. Belle Cooke, Mrs. Annie Pauley and Dawson B. Adams.

Mr. Adams began business in early life as a tanner and followed this occupation until 1867. His father had engaged in the same business. The Adams tannery was located at the southwest corner of Morris and Franklin streets, on the property now owned by H. C. Sayers, and one of the buildings used is still standing. He then engaged in the lumber business in Wetzel county, W. Va., with his son Richard Adams who died in '87.

Robert Adams, Sr., removed to Waynesburg about the year 1800, and engaged in the tanning business. He built the brick house where H. C. Sayers now resides in 1816. It was the third or forth brick house erected in Waynesburg. He carried on the tannery until '39, when his sons Dawson and Robert took charge of the business. His wife's maiden name was Rebecca Blackmore. They raised a family of eleven children. Sarah, the eldest, married Wm. Inghram. Both lived and died in Waynesburg. Maria married Enoch Van Buskirk, removed to Ohio, where she died. Samuel was the third member of the family. Eliza married Benedict Hook who lived at Hookstown, east of Waynesburg. Elijah Adams was for many years steward of the County Home, and died a few years since. Nancy married John Hook, brother of Benedict. Both she and Eliza died in Kansas. Rebecca married Wm. W. Sayers, of this place, now deceased. Robert lived at the old home with his father where he died in November 1854. Sophia married the late Judge George Hoskinson. Jane, the youngest of the family married E. M. Sayers Esq. She died a number of years ago. Dawson Adams was the last of that long list to go. The family were all respected people. Robert Adams, Sr. died April 7, 1864, aged 95 years. His brother, William, was the first man buried in Greene Mount Cemetery.

Major Dawson Adams was commissioned Major in the State Militia, in the days when mustering was in vogue. As a candidate for Prothonotary on the Whig ticket he lacked but a few votes of carrying Greene county and would have been victorious had some of his tickets not been destroyed. He was a respected and well known citizen. His funeral was held on Thursday at 3 p. m., the services being conducted by Rev. Thomas Patterson assisted by Rev. Donahey. The remains were then borne to the cemetery where they were laid to rest."