Henry Cullen Adams

Henry Cullen Adams (November 28, 1850, Verona, New York – July 9, 1906, Chicago) was an American farmer, public official, and U. S. Congressman from Wisconsin, best known for his support of pure food laws.

Adams grew up on a farm in southern Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but withdrew for health reasons before earning a degree. After marrying Anne Burkley Norton in 1878, he operated a successful dairy and fruit farm and served as president of the Wisconsin Dairymen's Association. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1883 and served until 1887, when he became a member of the Wisconsin Board of Agriculture (1887-95). He also held the offices of Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Property (1889-91) and Food and Dairy Commissioner (1898-1902).

In 1902, Adams was elected to the United States House of Representatives from the 2nd District of Wisconsin. He was a progressive Republican and supporter of Robert M. La Follette, Sr. He worked for passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act. He died of intestinal illness in 1905 in Chicago, while en route from Washington to his home in Wisconsin. He is buried in Madison, Wisconsin.

ources

*American National Biography, vol. 1, p. 93.
* [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=A000037 U. S. Congress biography]
* [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?Submit=Search&action=search&keyword=Legislation Wisconsin Historical Society biography]
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6404657 Findagrave.com entry]