From the age of eleven years Orly E. Adams has
depended entirely upon his own resources, and the success which he has
achieved is attributable directly to his labor and diligence. He is now
extensively engaged in the manufacture of fine harness, is also a dealer
in trunks and bags and is vice president of the Brazil Electric Light
Company. He is, however, not alone active in lines resulting in substan-
tial benefit to himself but is also a citizen whose aid and co-operation
can ever be counted upon to further the best interests of Brazil and his
county. His life record began in Parke county, Indiana, September 9,
1859, his parents being John and Minerva (Seybold) Adams. The father,
who was born in Indiana in 1830, died in 1864 at the comparatively early
age of thirty-four years. In his younger manhood he was a school teacher
and later on turned his attention to farming, which business he was fol-
lowing at the time of his demise. His political support was given to the
Democracy and in the community where he lived he commanded the
respect and good will of all who knew him. His wife, who was born in
Parke county, Indiana, June 18, 1831, is now living in Terre Haute. She
is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and also of the Rebekah
Lodge of Odd Fellows and takes a great interest in these organizations,
with which she has long been helpfully identified. In the family were
five children, but only two are now living, the sister of our subject being
Miss Martha Adams.
    Orly E. Adams was but five years of age at the time of his fathers
death. In March, 1869, the mother removed with her children to Terre
Haute, where the family home was established, During his boyhood he
attended the public schools and when but a young lad sold newspapers in
that city. He has been dependent entirely upon his own resources for a
living from the age of eleven years. He spent one year in a printing
office and when fifteen years of age he began working as a farm hand,
being thus connected with agricultural interests until the 15th of March,
1882, when he came to Brazil and here began the manufacture of har-
ness. He had a capital of one hundred and fifty dollars, which he had
saved from his earnings. He had never served a regular apprenticeship
at the trade but had learned it through observation and experience and
has built up an excellent business in the manufacture of fine harness. He
is also a dealer in trunks and bags, and this branch of his business is like-
wise proving profitable. He was one of the men who took over the busi-
ness on the re-organization of the Brazil Electric Light Company and is
now its vice president. In business matters he shows sound judgment and
enterprise and throughout his entire life his salient characteristics have
been such as commend him to the confidence and trust of all with whom
he has been associated.
    Mr. Adams has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Julia
Anderson, on the 26th of July, 1885. She was born in Bowling Green,
Clay county, Indiana, November 14, 1859, a daughter of James Anderson.
Her death occurred May 23, 1886, and for his second wife Mr. Adams
chose Miss Mary A. Nees, whom he wedded November 23, 1893. She
was born in Greencastle, Indiana, while her father, James M. Nees, was
a native of Clay county, who throughout his active business career fol-
lowed merchandising and farming. He died in the year 1901. By his
second marriage Mr. Adams had three children: James S., Edwin L. and
William H. H.
    Mr. Adams is prominent in Masonry and has been identified with the
order since 1885, when he became a member of Brazil Lodge No. 264,
A. F. & A. M. He served as worshipful master for three years and for
ten years as treasurer. He has taken the Royal Arch degrees, belonging
to Brazil Chapter No. 59, R. A. M., and has also taken the degrees of
cryptic and chivalric Masonry, belonging to Brazil Council No. 40. R. &
S. M., and Brazil Commandery No 47. K. T. His name is likewise on
the membership rolls of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Brazil and the
Elks Lodge No. 762. His political allegiance is given to the Republican
party and he stands as a stalwart advocate of much that is beneficial to
the city, giving active support to interests and measures that have for
their object the welfare and improvement of this portion of the state.