ADAMS, Waldo

ADAMS, Waldo. (Dubuque, IA, Oct. 31, 1899--Dubuque, IA, Dec. 30, 1986). Adams was a grandchild of Austin ADAMS. Waldo Adams was named after Ralph Waldo Emerson, a literary giant, who was one of many to visit Austin Adams and join in the lively discussion of the Dubuque Round Table Club. (1)

Employed as a junior executive of ADAMS COMPANY (Encyclopedia Dubuque) in 1921, Adams left eight years later to become an insurance agent.

Adams was the local manager of the Dubuque Thrift Plan, Inc. as well as a director beginning in 1931. By 1949 in addition to being a director, he served the company as secretary-manager. At this time, he was a leader of the Dubuque Credit Rating Bureau which was outlining a plan by which delinquent accounts were reported to the bureau on a periodic basis making Dubuque the "prompt pay" city of America. The plan whose organization and management was outlined by Adams, was unanimously accepted. (2) He later became president of FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE and expected his offers to also serve the community. (3) He retired in 1966 as president of the bank and then assumed the position of chairman of the board.

Adams served as a park commissioner beginning in 1935 and was a leader in the Boy Scouts. He was active in the Community Chest during WORLD WAR II serving on the Special Gifts Committee.

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Source:

1. Slichter, Harry, "The Adams' Round Table," Telegraph Herald, May 19, 1966, p. 3

2. "Credit Men Discuss '49 Outlook," Telegraph-Herald, February 24, 1949, p. 21

3. Leitner, Jim, "Former CEO Always Answered the Phone," Telegraph Herald, September 15, 2008, p. 70