from Davis' Commercial EncyclopediaEdson Francis Adams (June 11, 1860–July 27, 1946) was born in Oakland, and was the son of Edson Adams. Among other things, the younger Edson Adams was a banker (president of Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank) and attempted gouger of Oakland in its attempt to create Lakeside Park.
Adams married Elizabeth Wheaton (Adams) (September, 1871 – May 26, 1950) in 1895. They had three daughters: Elizabeth Adams (Simpson) (June 13, 1896 – December 18, 1967), Ella Adams (Johnson) (December 24, 1900 – March 7, 1990) and Julia Adams (Balding) (February 19, 1904 – March 24, 1998). The names on the crypt suggest there may have been a fourth daughter, Frances Adams (1898–1900).
In 1900, the family lived at 1379 Jackson Street. In 1910, they lived at 328 Hillside Avenue in Piedmont. In 1913, Adams had a large house built at 25 Sea View Avenue in Piedmont. The house, designed by Charles Peter Weeks, was predicted to cost $100,000 to construct according to a fairly extensive March 1913 article in the San Francisco Call. After Mr. Adams' death, the house was purchased by Joseph R. Knowland. In 2003 it was listed for sale at a price of $5.6 million.
Adams was the author of a booklet, Oakland's Early History, written in 1932.
Death and Burial
He died in 1946, at his home in Piedmont. He was interred in the main mausoleum in Mountain View Cemetery. Elizabeth is also interred there, along with Frances Adams.
From 7-29-46 Oakland Tribune
photo CC SA-BY Our Oakland
Links and References
- Oakland's Early History by Edson F. Adams, April 25, 1932
