Samuel E. Adams

Portrait and Biographical Album of Peoria County (1890)
Transcribed by Danni Hopkins!

Samuel E. Adams, M. D. The Spring Hill Park Electropathic Sanitarium, under the ownership and management of Dr. Adams, has become one of the famous institutions of Central Illinois and is rapidly proving the absurdity of leaving the State for the various other health resorts when this precious boon may be obtained comparatively near home. The Sanitarium marks one of the important features of Peoria, being located at the intersection of Glendale Avenue and Spring Street and amid whose grounds are located both mineral and pure water springs. The Sanitarium was planned and organized by Dr. Adams in 1880, when he bought the Park and Zoological Garden and began building extensively, equipping his establishment with all the appliances for bathing and the use otherwise of these valuable waters. The original main building was destroyed by fire in 1888, but with his usual enterprise and persistence Dr. Adams rebuilt upon the old site and has an establishment which for popularity and the skillful treatment of nervous and chronic diseases is not excelled by anything in this part of the United States. He employs experienced physicians and furnishes a limited number of his patients with board and rooms.

The treatment at the Sanitarium includes hot and cold mineral baths, besides Russian, Turkish and Electrical. Acting upon the maxim of John Wesley, that “electricity is a thousand remedies in one,” Dr. Adams makes of this a specialty and also calls to his aid medicine, hygiene and various surgical appliances. The most difficult cases have received successful treatment. The large building is heated by steam, employing for this purpose a ten-horse power boiler. The tasteful grounds are embellished by artificial lakes, some of which contain goldfish, German carp and other choice varieties of the finny tribe. A pond of cold spring water furnishes a suitable receptacle for choice trout. All classes and both sexes are treated at the Sanitarium, which furnishes free consultation and by addressing the Doctor all particulars and terms will be readily obtained.

A native of Livingston County, N. Y., Dr. Adams was born August 15,1827, and is a son of Nathan W. and Achsah (Eggleston) Adams, with whom he grew to mature years in his native county and in Western New York. After leaving the common school he was admitted to the Wesleyan Academy at Lima, N. Y., from which he was duly graduated. He commenced the study of medicine in his native county, subsequently attended lectures at Geneva and next entered the Medical College in Cleveland from which he emerged a full fledged M. D.

The Doctor commenced the practice of his profession in Springfield, Ohio, where he instituted an extensive water-cure Sanitarium which he conducted with marked success and in connection with which he gained a valuable experience. In 1881 he came to Peoria to establish Spring Hill Sanitarium, which each year is becoming more widely and favorably known and receives the patronage of the best class of people.

Dr. Adams contracted matrimonial ties September 20, 1855, being wedded to Miss Ada Ayers, a native of Chesterville, Ohio. This union has resulted in the birth of four children, one of whom died at the age of eight years. The three survivors are, Frank S., a practicing physician of Marion, Ohio; E. Pearl, the wife of M. Spaulding, of New York City; and Ada, who is thirteen years old and remains with her parent; the mother died at the birth of the latter. Mrs. Ada L. Adams was a well-educated lady and a graduate in medicine from the Cleveland College. She was warmly interested in her husband’s work and practiced with him in the Sanitarium at Springfield, Ohio, until her death.

Besides the Sanitarium and its appurtenances Dr. Adams owns valuable real estate in Florida, where he spends his winters. He meddles very little with politics, simply giving his support by vote to the Republican party. In his religious views he is liberal and non-sectarian.

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