One of the founders of the Second Presbyterian Church, Nashville, 1842, and director of the Union Bank of Tennessee, 1854.

The Nashville American of April 1, 1895, had the following sketch of the life of Mr. A. G. Adams, who was one of the first members to join the Scotch-Irish Society of America, and who was the Vice President for Tennessee in the Society from the first year of its existence until he passed away, March 31, 1895: 

"Adam Gillespie Adams was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, July 12, 1820. He was one of a family of twelve children, his father being a blacksmith. His mother's name was Jane Gillespie, and both sides of his family are of Scotch- Irish descent. His early life was surrounded by an atmosphere of piety, and the influence of his mother's training made him a leader in that favorite Church of the Scotch-Irish, the Presbyterian. His school privileges ended when he was twelve years old, and he went into a wholesale house as clerk, remaining till nineteen years old, when he came to America, accompanied by a younger brother. In his seven years' service he acquired wide experience with men and with merchandise, and this served him in the new world. 

"Landing in New York in 1839, Mr. Adams undertook the long journey to Nashville, where he had two brothers and other relatives living. He arrived here July 1, having refused then and ever since to travel on Sunday. Through a Nashville wholesale house having two branch stores in Shelbyville he secured employment there, and after a year returned to Nashville. He remained with the firm of Eakin Bros. until 1850, when two of the firm died, and he became a partner in the house. In 1858 the business was divided, and Mr. Adams bought the boot, shoe, and clothing departments, and bought the old Eakin & Bros. house on the Public Square, and continued business, under the firm name of A. G. Adams & Co. 

"Since the age of fifteen Mr. Adams has been a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1842 he was one of the first movers in organizing the Second Presbyterian Church. He was elected an elder and superintendent of the Sunday school, and held the office till 1862. During the war he resided for the most part in New York, where had once before thought of locating. The beautiful country of Middle Tennessee, however, was too attractive, and he returned to Nashville. In 1866 he removed his membership to the First Presbyterian Church, where he was elected a ruling elder and superintendent of the Sabbath school. Ever since then he has been the senior elder in the Church. 

"After the war he resumed business, under the name of A. G. Adams & Co., and so continued till 1876, when the firm was changed to Adams, Throne & Co. Some years ago he retired from active business, and his sons, A. G., Jr., and David P., succeeded him, the firm becoming Throne, Franklin & Adams. 

Mr. Adams's whole soul has always been enlisted in religious work of all sorts, and especially in that of his own denomination and in the work of the Nashville Bible Society. He has been known long for his quiet liberality in all Church and charitable work, an example not. only to his own Church, but to the community at large. Since 1854 he had been Treasurer of the Nashville Bible Society till a few weeks ago, when he resigned. 

He was at times Director in numerous enterprises, and took an active part in establishing the first cotton mill in Nashville, the Tennessee Manufacturing Company. At a public meeting of the citizens of Nashville to take steps to celebrate their centennial in 1880, Mr. Adams was made Chairman of the Committee of Reception and member of the Board of Directors of the Centennial Commission. 

"Mr. Adams had been twice married-first, in 1846, to Susan Porterfield, daughter of Francis Porterfield and Malinda Morgan; after whose death he married, in 1851, Mary J. Strickler, of Shelbyville, Tenn. By this marriage he had eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom two daughters and all the sons survive. Mr. Adams's surviving children are: Mrs. W. G. Ewing, of Nashville; Mrs. T. E. Matthews, of Louisiana; Benjamin S., of St. Louis; and David P., Thomas H., A. G., Jr., and Henry William, of this city. 

"No man was better known or more highly regarded than the deceased, being esteemed as a public-spirited, honest, and upright man; a man of sound judgment, courteous and elegant manners, kindly sympathies, and strong religious tendencies. His place will be hard to fill."