Melvin O. Adams

Early life Adams was born in Ashburnham, Massachusetts on November 7, 1850, to Joseph Adams and Dolly Winship (Whitney) Adams. He attended school in his native Ashburnham, Massachusetts as well as the Appleton Academy in New Ipswich, New Hampshire. In 1871, he graduated from Dartmouth College. After graduation worked as a teacher in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and studied law in the office of Amasa Norcross. On January 20, 1874, he married Mary Colony of Fitchburg.

Legal and military career In 1875, Adams graduated from the Boston University School of Law. He was admitted to the bar that year and was soon thereafter became an assistant district attorney for Suffolk County, Massachusetts. In 1886, Adams resigned his position to go into private practice with Augustus Russ. Adams and Russ remained partners until Russ' death in the summer of 1892.

An active member of the Massachusetts Republican Party, Adams served on the staff of Governor John Q. A. Brackett

In 1905, Adams was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. He remained a U.S. Attorney until his resignation on December 5, 1906.

Business career In 1890, Adams joined the Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad as a director and general counsel. From 1891 until his death in 1920 he was the railroad's president.

Adams was also the vice-president of the Liberty Trust Company. He was instrumental in securing the funds necessary to rebuild Dartmouth Hall.

Death Adams died on August 9, 1920, at his home in Boston. He was buried in the Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Ashburnham.