Adams Funeral Home at 502 Douglas Avenue, 1963
In 1889, M. Jay Adams and his brother-in-law, E.C. Potter, purchased the assets of the Elliott Furniture and Undertaking Company and started operations as Adams Furniture Company, Furniture and Undertaking at 226 Main Street.
M. Jay Adams (1866-1943) and his wife, Lynn Chevalier Adams (1872-1947) photos ca. 1943
In 1907 M. Jay Adams built the building at 302 Main Street and was traded in 1916 for F. E. Morris Livery barn at the Town Center on Main Street. Around this time the first motor hearse and ambulance purchased.
Horse drawn hearse compared to an early automobile version
In 1922 the furniture business was sold. The next year in 1923 Adams Funeral Home purchased to the Greeley home at 502 Douglas Avenue from the Sigma Chi Fraternity. In 1930 Jay’s two sons, Clinton and Frank took partnership in the business. Jay died in 1943 and Clinton and Frank became sole owners.
F. Terrill Adams, third generation, started as an employee in 1964 and eventually became owner in 1968. He retired in 2002 and sold to Soderstrum Funeral Homes.
In 2018, the Adams Family won the Ames History Maker Award for their impact on the history of Ames.