William C. Adamson

William C. Adamson
Associate Justice of the United States Customs Court
In office May 28, 1926 – January 20, 1928
Appointed by	operation of law
Preceded by	Seat established by 44 Stat. 669
Succeeded by	Genevieve R. Cline
Member of the Board of General Appraisers
In office September 24, 1917 – May 28, 1926
Appointed by	Woodrow Wilson
Preceded by	Henderson M. Somerville
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 4th district
In office March 4, 1897 – December 18, 1917
Preceded by	Charles L. Moses
Succeeded by	William C. Wright
Personal details
Born	William Charles Adamson (1854-08-13)August 13, 1854 Bowdon, Georgia, US
Died	January 3, 1929(1929-01-03) (aged 74) New York City, US
Resting place	City Cemetery Carrollton, Georgia
Political party	Democratic
Education	Bowdon College (A.B.) read law

William Charles Adamson (August 13, 1854 – January 3, 1929) was a United States representative from Georgia, an Associate Justice of the United States Customs Court and a member of the Board of General Appraisers.

Early years and family

Adamson was born on August 13, 1854, in Bowdon, Georgia, son of John W. Adamson and Mary A. McDaniel, and grandson of William C. Adamson, and of John McDaniel.

He attended the common schools. His youth was spent on a farm and in hauling cotton and goods between Atlanta and Bowdon, Georgia.

He was married on January 29, 1885, to Minna Reese of Carrollton, Georgia.

Education and career

Adamson received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Bowdon College in 1874. He read law in the office of the Hon. S. W. Harris and was admitted to the bar in October, 1876 and commenced practice in Carrollton, Georgia. He served as judge of the city court of Carrollton from 1885 to 1889. He served as an attorney for the city of Carrollton for a number of years. He served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1892 and as a presidential elector in the 1892 Presidential election.

Congressional service

Adamson was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives of the 55th United States Congress and to the ten succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1897, until December 18, 1917, when he resigned. He served as Chairman of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce for the 62nd through 65th United States Congresses.

Notable legislation

The Adamson Act, which regulated the hours of railroad workers, was named for Adamson.

Federal Judicial Service

W. C. Adamson on unknown date

Adamson was nominated by President Woodrow Wilson on September 20, 1917, to a seat on the Board of General Appraisers vacated by Henderson M. Somerville. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 20, 1917, and received his commission on September 24, 1917.

Adamson was reassigned by operation of law to the United States Customs Court on May 28, 1926, to a new Associate Justice seat authorized by 44 Stat. 669. His service terminated on January 20, 1928, due to his retirement. He was succeeded by Associate Justice Genevieve R. Cline.

Retirement and death

Adamson resumed the practice of law in Carrollton. He died while on a visit in New York City, New York, on January 3, 1929. He was interred in City Cemetery in Carrollton.

Adamson Square in downtown Carrollton was named in his honor.

References

Sources

• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Johnson, Rossiter, ed. (1906). "Adamson, William Charles". The Biographical Dictionary of America. Vol. 1. Boston: American Biographical Society. p. 57.
• "Adamson, William Charles - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.

• United States Congress. "William C. Adamson (id: A000051)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

Attribution

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress