Jacob Adams - G.A.R., Bishop Post

Born in 1842 and a native of Hancock County, Ohio, Jacob Adams lost his father as a young boy.  His mother, Margaret and family made its way on the farm with a couple older brothers taking over the farm work.  In the 1860 census, Jacob was 18, old enough to help his older brothers, Nason and Philetus, with the farming.

Portrait of Jacob submitted by Jody Gonda on findagrave

 However, on February 9, 1862, Jacob joined many other Hancock County young men who volunteered for Union service.  He mustered into Company F, 21st Regiment, Ohio Infantry in Findlay.  When that service was done, he reenlisted as a veteran in January, 1864, until his mustering out on July 25, 1865

Jacob's regiment saw some of the bloodiest battles of the war as they made their way south to the battles in Atlanta.  He was wounded at Chickamauga himself in 1863.

After the war, he taught school for awhile and eventually married Belle Phillips in 1870.  They made their home in Highland Township, Defiance County, near Ayersville with their three children.  Jacob and Belle were both active in G.A.R. and auxillary activities and encampments.  

According to the 1880 agricultural census, Jacob had 60 acres of tilled ground, 5 acres of meadow and 135 acres of woods on a farm worth $5000.  He raised livestock, had hired help, and sold 400 pounds of butter that year.

In 1920, Jacob, 78, and Belle, 72, still lived on their farm.  But in September, 1922, life changed when Belle died.  Her obituary appeared in the Defiance Crescent-News on September 5, 1922.

At some point after that, Jacob went to live with his daughter, Mrs. M. Delle Moats, in Sherwood.  She worked as a state supervisor for a household magazine, but returned home to look after her father.  She also moved into the home a widowed aunt, Jacob's youngest sister, Adaline Bushong.  In the 1930 census, Margaret D. Moats, 56, a widow, who worked for a commercial magazine, had in her home Jacob Adams, 88, widowed, and Adaline Bushong, 81, a widow.  

Jacob had a stroke that year and died on May 29, 1930 in Sherwood.  Published in the Crescent-News on May 31, 1930, his obituary was a very revealing look at his life.

Jacob's diary was published as a book in 1930 by F.J. Heer and titled DIARY OF JACOB ADAMS, PRIVATE IN COMPANY F, 21st O.V.V.I.  The book is available at the Defiance College Pilgrim Library, the Genealogy Center, Allen County Public Library, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and it can also be found on worldcat.com for interlibrary loan through one's local library - possibly.
BUT, an even better option might be to read it online here at the Ohio History Journal website.

Jacob Adams is buried in Riverside Cemetery.

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)