Biographies - Elmira Township

Adam Oliver (deceased) was born December 14,1814, in Roxburghshire, Scotland. His parents, Thomas and Margaret (Fife) Oliver, were also natives of that country; were married there in 1814; moved to the Highlands some years later, and in 1837 came with their ten children to the United States.

The names of this large family are given as follows: Adam (deceased), Margaret (married), of this township; Betsey (married) a resident of Henry county; Andrew (married), of this township; Charlotte (deceased); Ann (unmarried), residing here; William (married), residing in Henry county; Thomas (married), a resident of this township; Henry H. (married), also residing here, and John (married), of Audubon county, Iowa.

The head of this family in the United States pushed westward without delay, settled at Osceola Grove, bat moved in 1840 to the west side of the township, where he resided until his death, May 8, 1885. There also his wife died.

Adam passed his earlier years on the lowland farm, and later assisted his father in the duties of shepherd in the Highlands. His father instructed him in writing, reading and figures so well that when of age he engaged in teaching school.

On coming here he took charge of much of his father's business and remained with him until 1846, when he married Miss Polly Ann Parks. This lady died at the birth of her only child who bears the same name.

In 1849 he married Miss Agnes Davidson, a grand niece of James Davidson, the "Dandy Dinmont" of Scott's "Guy Mannering," and daughter of George and Jessie (Robertson) Davidson (married in 1824), who came from Roxburghshire, Scotland, to Marshall county, Ill., with their five children in 1841. Her father died there in October, 1865.

Adam and Mrs. Oliver were the parents of six children, of whom four are living—Margaret F., of this township (married); Jessie (married), residing at Harvard, Neb.; George T. (married), residing on the homestead, and Ella M., residing here with her mother.

It is said that he never had an enemy. In political life he was a Republican; in religion, a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in all relations strictly upright. His death took place May 8, 1885. (Vide History of Elmira.)