ADAMS - The newly ratified 1851 Indiana Constitution outlined township qualifications. It is told that Robert Adams became the first trustee of Jefferson Township, Huntington County, and also served many years as justice of the peace (a prestigious position) from 1961-1969 [prob. s/b 1861-1869], Robert's great-grandson, Dennis J. Couch, a WWII veteran and State Highway employee, was elected and served as Jefferson Township trustee. From 1979-1983 Robert's great-grandaughter, Helen Adams Noffsinger, was elected and served as the first woman trustee of Jefferson Township and the second woman trustee elected in the county. A great-great grandson, Dee Jay Noffsinger, served as deputy clerk to the township trustee from 1979-1983.
Robert Adams was born in Rockbridge, VA in 1824 and with his parents, James and Nancy Wiley Adams, left Virginia in 1834 and wandered through Ohio into Indiana settling on the banks of the Salamonic River in Jefferson Township on Road 200W, purchasing their land from the government in 1837.
Robert's grandparents were Robert and Martha Fletcher Adams from Rockbridge, VA. Robert was honorably discharged from service at Valley Forge in 1778.
