As a watch factory organizer Mr. J. C. Adams has probably
had more experience than any living man, and his name is
familiar to every watchmaker and jeweler in this country.
Mr. Adams was Borne in Preble, N.Y., October 7, 1834.  His
father was a prosperous farmer.  When he was but two years
of age his father sold his farm and moved to Syracuse, N.Y.
In 1842 he gathered together his chattels and removed to
what was then termed the far west, locating in Elgin, Ill.
Mr. Adams served a five year apprenticeship to John H.
Atkins, an old Liverpool watchmaker.  After finishing his
apprenticeship he was engaged as watchmaker by S. C. Spalding,
of Janesville, Wis.  After two years employment by Mr.
Spalding,  he again returned to Elgin and entered into
partnership with G. G. Adams, the firm being know as G. B.
& J. C. Adams.  At the end of two years the partnership was
dissolved and Mr. Adams went to Chicago and was employed in
the watch department of Messrs. Hoard & Hoes.  In 1861 he 
managed the watch department of W. H. & C. Miller, Chicago
and had an interest in that department.  In 1862 he was
appointed timekeeper for the various railroads centering
in Chicago.

In the spring of 1864, Mr. Adams severed his connection with
W. H. & C. Miller and together with Messrs. Chas. S. Moseley
and P.S. Bartlett, organized the Elgin Watch Company.  In
1869, together with Mr. Paul Cornell, he organized the
Cornell Watch Company of Grand Crossing, Ill.  and served for
some time as general agent of that company.  One of the
movements made by this company was named in his honor.

in 1869, Mr. Adams, together with Springfield capitalists,
organized the Illinois Watch Company at Springfield.

In 1874 he organized the Adams & Perry Watch Manufacturing
Company, and became Secretary and General Manager.  He
resigned his position in the fall of 1875.

In 1883 he entered the employ of the Independent Watch Co.
of Fredonia, N.Y.  In 1885 he organized the Peoria Watch
Company and continued with that company until April 14, 1888.
He is the inventor and patentee of " The Adams System of Time
Records" which is employed on nearly every western railroad.

Taken From:  The Watch Factories of America. by Henry G. Abbott.

Tim Sweet
TIMEKEEPR2@AOL.COM
M.O.S.T (MY OWN SWEET TIME) WATCH COMPANY.
14002 Tuckey Lane
El Paso, Tx, 79927
(915) 852-2409  (See my add in the MART)

Requests and comments welcome
enjoy