Harry E. Adams (1869 -  1890s)

Harry E. Adams was born on June 2, 1869 in Napier Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, the son of William and Rebecca (Hiner) Adams.

Harry grew up on a farm in Napier Township, Bedford County. His father was a carpenter and a chairmaker, and he taught his three sons his trades.

Harry's father served during the Civil War for the Pennslvania infantry. He returned home a shell of his former self. Intense physical exertion and unsanitary drinking water contributed to a number of physical ailments, and he was no longer able to perform much physical labor without pain. He would come to rely on his sons to contribute much of the physical labor on the farm. It is thought that William became a chairmaker because he was not able to do the same carpentry work that he did before the war. William made and sold hickory rocking chairs. He taught his three sons--Harry, Ellsworth, and Charles--the craft, and Charles taught his son Willard. Three generations of Adams were chairmakers in Bedford County.

On December 23, 1890 Harry married Safora E. Layman in Johnstown, Cambria County. She was born on November 22, 1862 in Allegany County, Maryland, the daughter of Norman B. and Rebecca (Enfield) Layman.

Harry was working as an upholsterer, presumably of chairs, at the time of his marriage. It is not known if he was also making hickory rockers like his two brothers.

Shortly before or after their marriage, Safora gave birth to a daughter named Retta.

Harry died in California sometime in the 1890s. It is not known when or why he headed West and whether or not his wife and daughter went with him.

In 1900 Safora and Retta resided with her parents in Frostburg, Allegany County.

In 1910, 18-year old Retta resided with her grandfather and uncles in Frostberg. It is not known where her mother was living at the time. Safora had remarried to John W. Smith, an Englishman.

In 1920 Safora resided in Oakmont, Allegheny County, PA with second husband John, son Wilford Smith, 25, who was a college student, and brother in law Solomon Smith. It is not known if Wilford was indeed her son or her step-son. John and Solomon worked at a theater.

Safora and Retta's fates are unknown.