Growing up in Louisa – The Adams Family!
Weekly feature . . . by Mike Coburn
No, no, not that one! The one I mean was an important, and highly respected family in our quaint little town on the banks of the Big Sandy. It was headed by a man named Eldred Adams, a judge in Louisa during the time I was growing up. It was only a few times, but I remember when he looked down on me, smiled, and had something to say that was intended to incite a reply. I really don’t remember any of the subjects, but he did stoop to recognize me and give a friendly greeting whenever we met on the church steps. We both had Sunday school in the church basement of the old Louisa Methodist Church, albeit with different teachers, so it was natural that we would often pass on the stairs or vestibule. I can’t say I knew him well personally, but he and his family always attended my church, so they were all very familiar to me. Before writing this I looked back at old photographs in Old Louisa, Remembered, that was compiled by J. Lynn See. I can pick the judge out of group shots instantly. One picture of him is on page 41, in the center of a group photograph of the 1975 Men’s Bible Class. I’m sure many in town have other pictures and likely knew him better than me. They would have more to add, but alas I’ve little time or opportunity to do the research. I know I definitely saw him as a great ‘pillar,’ and a highly respected man of our community.
As a little boy, I had visited the Adams house up near the grade school a very few times. That was, of course, mostly because of a friendship with his daughter, Sandra Francis Adams, a classmate of mine. Sandy and I were in many of the same classes all throughout school and shared a mutual interest in art. I think she had more raw talent than me, but she was serious enough about her studies that I doubt she spent much time developing her artistic skills. When we were still in grade school I remember going once to a Saturday matinee at the Garden Theater with her. Most of the time we boys hung out with each other, instead of having much to do with the girls, but I think this event was set up by the adults. I kind of think of that as my first date, and maybe hers too. We went together that day but we typically didn’t hang out together. It wasn’t that I didn’t like her. I did. She was nice for a girl and pretty. I think the experience of the ‘date’ was fun but it would be many years before I had a second date. Hmmmmm?
I remember that the judge had a ‘man cave’ of sorts in his garage. In those days I’m sure it wasn’t much more than a place to retreat for some time alone or to work on a hobby. I was lucky enough to walk right in through an open garage door once, but I was caught and run out. I remember seeing a few wood working tools, hand-tools, workbench, and an attractive calendar that hung on the wall. I think it was one of the first I’d noticed that hadn’t come from Young’s Funeral Home. It had a pretty picture that got my artist juices flowing.
I was to become familiar with the funeral home calendars later on when I was one of several boys hired to make personal deliveries to homes all over town, including High Bottom. We had boxes and boxes of calendars in a pickup truck and we boys would grab a few while the truck moved forward slowly. We rushed to catch up and grab some more for the next group of houses. I don’t remember the pay but it seemed a lot to me at the time. I looked forward to doing that every year. Both Byron Young and Henry Curtright advertised their mortuary services on those neat fans kept in the pews at church. In years of no air conditioning, the congregation would sit and fan all through the service. Whoops, let’s get back to the Adams family.
Sandy Adams had a little brother that I knew as Bud. He was several years younger than Sandy and me, so I don’t recall playing with him. He was just a little kid. I remember that Mrs. Adams took special pains to see that Bud was properly dressed and looked like the gentleman she wished him to be. He always looked nice wherever he went. Can’t say I ever dressed like that. I’ve read that he grew up and is practicing law in town. Maybe if I had dressed better …?
I liked Sandy. She always knew what she wanted to do and was focused less on play and more on her studies. Maybe her parents pushed her that way, I don’t know. Mine didn’t. All through school Sandy knew that she wanted to become a lawyer and to grow up to be a judge just like her dad. I think that was a fine goal since I have never heard any ill will toward him. The community respected him as a good man, and an honest and fair judge. I know some other judges today and find that most are fairly protective of their family life. That likely goes to protect the family from some of those that may react from a perceived wrongful decision handed down in court. I don’t think Sandy’s father was at all isolated, or aloof. He was very friendly (in a serious kind of way). He was seen often on the streets and was very much a leader and a friend in the adult community.
Years later, when I visited my mother who lived in Plymouth, Michigan, I decided to call on Sandy. I learned she was practicing law in Ann Arbor, only a few miles away. She agreed to meet but had a case on the docket that morning. I drove over to the courthouse and watched her in action as she represented a client. It was good to see her. Later we grabbed a soft drink at a soda fountain and chatted for a while. I tried to catch up but there was so much to learn. She had been a very busy lady and had accomplished a great deal. I was impressed by what I heard, but I doubt I remember half of it. I know she had a successful career, had a family, and somewhere along the road picked up flying airplanes as a hobby. She had flown all around in her private plane. I remember her telling me that she had a daughter that was in Europe at the time. She seemed happy and living her dream. I am very proud to have known her and her family, and pleased for her. The last I heard she was living in Arizona, and was still flying. May God bless her and keep her safe.
I had read that her father, the good judge from back home, died near his office in downtown Louisa. I was sorry to hear that and saw it as the passing of a good family man. I’m sure he added more to the community than I can imagine, but I can only write about what I know. It’s likely he was a member of a number of the local clubs, including the Methodist men, and he was certainly known in the legal and public safety community. It’s likely a few remaining and reading this have given testimony in front of Judge Adams. I know I was privileged to have walked in the shadow of His Honor.
