The Biographical Dictionary of America/Adams, Alvin

ADAMS, Alvin, expressman, was born at Andover, Vt., June 16, 1804. Left an orphan when eight years old, he was cared for by an elder brother, a farmer, until he was sixteen, when he sought his own living away from home and kindred. He first located in Woodstock, Vt., then the centre of various stage lines. He then went to Boston and met with varying success until 1840, when he began the express business and became associated with Ephraim Farnsworth under the firm name Adams & Co. William B. Dinsmore succeeded him, and in 1850 the line was extended to California with agencies along the route. The Adams express company was formed in 1854 by the consolidation of four companies: Adams, Harnden, Thompson and Kinsley, with Alvin Adams as president. They were the agents in the United States in the transportation of all government securities during the civil war, and did a large business with the soldiers. He died at Watertown, Mass., Sept. 1, 1877.