MAJOR CYRUS BARTON ADAMS, of Delaware, was born in Darbyville, Pickaway county, Ohio, July 4, 1861, and was named for his maternal grandfather, Cyrus Barton.  His father at that time was in the Methodist ministry.  The Adams family is of English origin, and was founded in America at a very early day by ancestors who settled in Virginia.  The Major’s grandfather emigrated to Kentucky about 1800, and about 1815 removed to Madison county, Ohio, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that community.  The maternal ancestors of Major Adams were among the first settlers of New Amsterdam, now New York, whither they emigrated from Holland.  Later they removed to Eastern Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Adams was born and lived until her marriage in 1860.
     In 1865 the family became residents of Delaware, where the father embarked in the dry-goods business.  Later he became a dealer in crockery and queen’s-ware.  Here, in 1867, Barton entered the public schools, which he attended until in 1878, when he became a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he remained for three years.  He was then employed in the book store of Prof. T. C. O’Kane for one year, after which he went to the Northwest in 1882, and engaged in mercantile and railroad business in Minnesota and Dakota for three years.  In the fall of 1885 he returned to Delaware, and was employed by the railroad company in the freight and passenger departments until appointed Deputy County Treasurer in 1888, by N. P. Ferguson, who was then serving as County Treasurer.  He served in that capacity through Mr. Ferguson’s last term and was then re-appointed by that gentleman’s successor, Captain Cole.  After the Captain’s death, which occurred October 8, 1893, he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of eleven months, and in August, 1893, was nominated by acclamation at the Republican county convention.  The Democrats put up no opposing candidate and in November of that year he was elected.
     Mr. Adams has always taken great interest in military matters, and enlisted as a private of Company K, Fourteenth Regiment of Ohio National Guards, when that company was mustered into service February 13, 1879.  He was afterward made Corporal and Sergeant, and was honorably discharged October 12, 1882 He re-enlisted October 6, 1885, was made First Lieutenant on the 8th of December of the same year, and promoted to the Captaincy May 23, 1887.  He commanded the company for six years, during which time it became recognized as one of the best military organizations in Ohio.  He was elected Major April 5, 1893, and appointed to command the Third Battalion of the Fourteenth Infantry, in which position he is now serving.
     Major Adams was married October 24, 1889, to Miss Winifred Sheldon, only daughter of the late Captain H. G. Sheldon, a well-known attorney of Delaware.  They now have a little daughter three years old.  The Major is a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 18, A. F. & A. M.; Delaware Chapter, No. 54, R. A. M.; and of Lenape Lodge, No. 29, K. of P., and the Delaware Division of the Uniformed Rank, of which he was Captain two years.  He also belongs to the Williams Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and is serving on the official board of that society. 
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 349-350
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

ZIBA ADAMS, one of the leading citizens of Harlem township, was born in this county, May 22, 1826, a son of Rolin and Elizabeth (Jones) Adams, natives of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania.  The father came on foot to Delaware county, Ohio, in 1812, bought land in the dense woods, built a log cabin, cleared his land, and was joined by the remainder of his family.  Mr. and Mrs. Adams had nine children, seven of whom grew to years of maturity, viz.: William, Lucinda, Clarinda, Ziba, Fisher, Elizabeth Ann, and Levi.  The mother departed this life at the age of sixty-six years, and the father died at the age of seventy-eight years.  He was a farmer by occupation, a Whig in his political views, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church.
     Ziba Adams, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the old home farm, and was early taught to clear the forests and till the soil.  He attended school in a log schoolhouse, but his business education has been received through reading and close observation.  He now owns 600 acres of the best land in Delaware county, has made all the improvements necessary for a well-regulated farm, and, in addition to general farming, is extensively engaged in stock-raising.  Mr. Adams affiliates with the Republican party.  He is a man of the highest intelligence, well informed on the general topics of the day, and is one of the most extensive farmers and stockmen in his locality.
     Mr. Adams was married, at the age of twenty-two years, to Jane Seaburn, a native of Genoa township: Delaware county, and a daughter of William and Abigail Seaburn.  To that union were born four children, two now living: George, at home; and John, who is married and resides on a farm near his father’s place.  The deceased were: Lavina and Amy, both of whom died at the age of thirteen years.  The great loss in Mr. Adams’ life was in the death of his beloved companion, who departed this life in August, 1888.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, p. 492
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.