In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1833
From History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882. Together with biographical sketches .. (1883)
JOHN E. ADAMS, proprietor Maple Avenue farm. Cedar township post-office, Solon; was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, September 15, 1833, and is a son of Capt. John E. and Belinda Adams, they being natives of Maine and also pioneers of Ohio, where the subject of this sketch spent his early life and followed farming and the dairy business, selling milk in Cleveland for several years. In 1863 he removed to Putnam county, Ohio, and invested in wild lands and buying and selling stock, and remained there nine years, and in 1873 came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, and now owns 359 acres of fine land, a fine residence and improvements, having a beautiful location. He pays special attention to raising and feeding stock, and also breeds thoroughbred Short-Horns. He was married, December 1, 1859, to Jemima Powell, a native of Portage county, Ohio; she is a daughter of Henry and Cynthia Powell. Mrs. Powell, whose maiden name was Crooks, was the first white child born in Trumbull county, Ohio, and the second on the Western Reserve, being born in 1799. They had six children, three now living: Cora J., Ethie L. and Harrv D. Mr. Adams and wife are members of the Church of God.
As printed in History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882. Together with biographical sketches .. (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1883. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.