498 THE GEOUNDSWELL. 



EARLY STRUGGLES AND PUBLIC SERVICES. 



The pionee^ who makes a farm in the wilderness, with 

 little save his own hands, must bear a skillful hand in vari 

 ous ways to keep the wolf from the door until something 

 can be raised from the soil. Mr. Adams previous education 

 had made him conversant with the business of a surveyor ; 

 and, for years, in the intervals of farm labor, he carried a 

 surveyor s compass in establishing corners, running lines, 

 and laying off the farms of his pioneer neighbors, far and 

 near. For about ten years he served his neighbors, also, 

 in the several offices of Assessor, President of the District 

 School Board, Township Trustee, County Supervisor, Chair 

 man of the County Board of Supervisors, and held various 

 other public trusts of a local nature. 



At the age of thirty-two, Mr. Adams became the Bepub- 

 lican candidate for the State Senate from his district, but 

 was unsuccessful, the ticket being buried out of sight under 

 the majority then given the entire Democratic ticket. 



Two years later, the finances of his county having become 

 almost hopelessly involved, he was elected a member of the 

 Board of Supervisors for the county. This board consisted 

 of eighteen, one from each township. Elected Chairman of 

 the Board, he performed the duties of the office for three 

 years, and then resigned. At the time of his election the 

 county warrants were at a discount of fifty per cent. In two 

 years, they were at par; and now the State of Iowa can 

 proudly point to the fact that there is no State debt upon 

 which the people pay taxes as interest a fact most credit 

 able to the exertions of her citizens in their several stations 

 as public officers. 



In the spring of 1873, the friends of Mr. Adams nomi 

 nated him for governor of Iowa. This nomination was cle^ 



