Adams, Clark J., 1904-1981.

Attorney from Pontiac, Michigan, state public official, legal advisor to Governor G. Mennen Williams, 1949-1952, justice of the state supreme court, 1952, circuit court judge, 1955-1973.

From the description of Clark J. Adams papers, ca. 1920-1983. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34421682

Clark J. Adams was born on Silver Lake in Waterford Township Michigan on June 24, 1904. He received both his bachelor and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Michigan in 1925 and 1927, respectively. Following graduation, Adams went into partnership with C. Bryan Kinney. This lasted until 1956 when he was appointed to the Circuit Court.

A long and fruitful interest in public legal service began in 1930 when Adams ran for the office of prosecuting attorney for Oakland County. From 1937 to 1945 he served Oakland County as State Representative, earning the respect of his colleagues and constituents alike. Adams was legal advisor to G. Mennen Williams from 1949 to 1952. During this time, their relationship developed into a close friendship. Governor Williams appointed Adams to the Michigan Supreme Court in August 1952 to fill out an unexpired term. Following a close and highly contested race, he left the Supreme Court in April 1953.

In 1954 Adams became Pontiac's Notary Public. During 1954 and 1955, he served on the Michigan Corrections Commission. Then in 1956, Governor Williams appointed Adams to the Sixth Judicial Circuit bench, a position to which he was reelected until his retirement seventeen years later in 1973. From 1958 to 1960 he also served on the Governor's Advisory Committees on Reorganization of State Government.

An active member and occasional officer of many legal associations, city clubs, and charity organizations, Adams was on the board of legal directors of the Oakland First Federal Savings Bank and Trust and on the advisory board of the Michigan State University-Oakland Foundation, which later became Oakland University.

While at the University of Michigan, Adams met his wife, Adeline Clark, a fellow student. The two were married on June 22, 1929. They had a son, Clark J. Adams, Jr. and two daughters, Dorothy and Janet. Adams died on September 26, 1981.

From the guide to the Clark J. Adams Papers, 1920-1983, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)