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Biographical History of Genesee County, Michigan
 Author: H.H. Bennett
 Publisher: B. F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, IN., 1908.

Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
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Page 347 - 348           ALBERT L. ADAMS

  On account of the limitations of the field the editor of a local paper
has really a difficult problem with which to grapple.  It requires a clear
grasp of the needs of the community as well as a broad and catholic view of
the trend of affairs in general, in order that patrons may be furnished
with the necessary news of local affairs, and yet be supplied at the same
time with such reading matter as will be bread and meat to those
intellectually inclined.  To do this it is not necessary to invade the
field of the magazine, but it lies rather in the judicious choice and the
able presentation of the matter that will be in harmony with lofty ideals.

  This is the problem that has confronted the subject of our biography, Mr.
Albert L. Adams, editor of the "Mt. Morris Enterprise."  Mr. Adams is not a
native of the "Lake" state, but was born in the state of New York, at Ovid,
Seneca county, on March 16, 1844.  His father, Lewis Adams, was a carpenter
and joiner, a skillful and energetic workman, and came west to Michigan
with his family in 1857, taking up his quarters on a farm in Lyons township
Oakland county.  His mother's maiden name was Rhoda A. Lay.  She died while
in middle life.

  At the age of fourteen Albert decided upon a printer's career, feeling
that the work of that profession would appeal to his desires and ability
more than

Page 348

anything else.  In consequence he returned to New York state, where oppor-
tunities were more abundant, and began work at the printer's trade in the
offices of the "Sentinel" of Seneca county, and also the "Bee" at Ovid.
After serving his apprenticeship and becoming thoroughly qualified he re-
turned to Michigan, and for twenty years from early manhood he followed the
trade at Mt. Morris.

  In connection with this work he also devoted himself to photography, and
has acquired considerable skill in this line.  He found it convenient also
to take part in undertaking work to a limited extent.  In 1888 he took
charge of the "Enterprise" and conducted it for Mrs. E. F. Lamb.  In about
a year's time, however, he took complete possession of the paper, and since
then has been its editor and proprietor.

  The "Enterprise" is having a splendid circulation and is doing excellent
work in that part of the county.  Mr. Adams has addressed himself
resolutely to the task of producing a clean, masterly and popular sheet,
and the "end crowns the work."  Its columns exert a potent educational
influence on the thinking public, and contain able discussions on questions
of importance to all.  Its years have been years of growth, inasmuch as the
progress of human life consists in advancing from the old standards and
views to ones that are light and new, and to do this some one must lead the
way.  It is the privilege of the editors of the day to do much toward stim-
ulating advancement in public affairs.

  On January 1, 1865, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Anna Ward.  Miss Ward
was of English parentage, and was left an orphan early in life.  She has
proved herself an able and companionable helpmeet, and is the mother of
three daughters.  Of these Flora is the wife of William Holtslander, of
Flint.  Maude is ably assisting her father in the office; the third
daughter is Velanche.  Taken all in all it would seem that we have here an
apt illustration of the fulfilling of the maxim laid down by Thoreau:
     "Be not only good; be good for something."

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