At the age of 17, Adams joined Co. C, 17th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, as a drummer boy. He was mustered in on August 31, 1864, and mustered out on June 30, 1865. Although not called upon to participate in any of the important battles of the Civil War, he was detailed to carry on the more hazardous guerilla warfare against scattered Confederate soldiers.

On April 11, 1876, he married Anna Eliza Masters, and they were the parents of four children: Ella B., Edward B., Anna M., and Caroline M. John and his family lived in West Virginia, probably in the Wheeling area, until sometime after 1880 when they moved to Grant County Indiana (1880, 1900 census). For many years, Mr. Adams worked at the U.S. Glass Company, in Gas City, Indiana, as manager of the shipping department.

John was a member of the Magnolia GAR Post No. 409 in Jonesboro, Grant County, Indiana, and served as Department of Indiana Commander from 1946-1948. In September 1948, at the 82nd National Encampment in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mr. Adams was elected National Assistant Adjutant General and Assistant Quartermaster General. All of these positions he held until his death. Services were held on Sunday, February 20, 1949, at the Jonesboro Presbyterian Church, where he had been a member for 40 years and where he had held the title of Elder Emeritus. Upon his death, President Harry S. Truman sent a wreath.

Federal Pension Information:
He applied for a pension on 12 May 1892 from the state of Ohio, application #1,112,475.
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Son of Andrew J Adams "AJ" & Caroline "Carrie" Husband to Anna Elizabeth Masters Father of Ella, Edward, Anna & Caroline Adams


Grand Army of the Republic
John C. Adams
Department Commander 1946 - 1948

John C. Adams
Magnolia Post No. 409, Jonesboro, Grant, Indiana
Company C, 17th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry
Department Commander, Assistant Adjutant General and Assistant Quartermaster General
Died In Office - February 17 1949
Last Civil War Veteran In the State of Indiana