 He emigrated to the United States in 1864, settling in New York City, and worked in a dry-goods firm in New York City until he began studies at Columbia Law School.Adams graduated with a degree in law in 1876 and was admitted to the bar the same year.In addition, he was involved in several businesses, including the Adams Mining Company of Leadville, Colorado, which included his brothers Michael Adams (1845-1899), a member of the Canadian Parliament, and Samuel Adams (1846-1928), a member of the Colorado State Senate.