George Madison Adams

Who was George Madison Adams?

George Madison Adams was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky, nephew of Green Adams.

Born in Barbourville, Kentucky, Adams received private instruction from his father and studied law at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. He served as clerk of the circuit court of Knox County, Kentucky from 1859 to 1861. During the Civil War, he raised a company of volunteers and was captain of Company H, 7th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, from 1861 to 1863. In 1863 was commissioned paymaster with the rank of captain.

Adams was elected as a Democrat to the Fortieth and to the three succeeding Congresses. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1874 to the Forty-fourth Congress.

Adams was elected Clerk of the House of Representatives December 6, 1875, during the Forty-fourth Congress, and served until the commencement of the Forty-seventh Congress, December 5, 1881. He was appointed register of the Kentucky land office by Gov. J. Proctor Knott and served from 1884 to 1887. He was appointed secretary of state for Kentucky by Gov. Simon B. Buckner and served from 1887 to 1891. He was appointed State railroad commissioner in 1891.