Edward Edwards McAdams

MCADAMS, EDWARD EDWARDS (1889 ~ 1978). Edward Edwards "Mack" McAdams, Chairman, State Board of Control, was born in McAdams, Walker County, Texas on January 2, 1889, to James Rogers McAdams and Rebecca Smith Mullens. In 1907, he entered Texas A&M University, where he graduated in 1911, with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.

After graduation, he began work for the International and Great Northern Railroad in the engineering department. Three months later, he returned to his alma mater to accept a teaching fellowship in the physics department. He taught there for nine years. In 1918, he was promoted to the position of associate professor in charge of the hydraulics laboratory. He also taught in the electrical engineering and civil engineering departments. In 1919, he was granted a master's degree in civil engineering from the same institution.

During his tenure at Texas A & M, McAdams assisted in the design, layout, and construction of a sewer system and sewage disposal plant for the city of Bryan, Texas. Shortly before this work was finished, the city manager of Bryan resigned, and McAdams was appointed to the position in June of 1920. He served in this position until 1924, when he became city manager of Waco, where he served for ten years. While he was he there he met Minetta Richter Hugo, and they were married in 1928. McAdams' first wife, Jean Cecile, died prior to his moving to Waco.

McAdams joined the staff of the Texas Municipal League in January of 1934 as a Field Consultant. In May of the same year he was elected Executive Director and moved to Austin. He served as League President in 1939. During his years in the League, he was also elected President of the American Municipal Association for the 1940 - 1941 term. He also served as a member of the national organization's executive committee from 1942 to 1943. In 1952, McAdams was a recipient of the American Municipal Association Distinguished Service Award. After twenty-three years of service, McAdams retired from the Texas Municipal League in June of 1957. In December of that same year, Governor Price Daniel appointed McAdams as chairman of the State Board of Control. He remained in this position for 12 years.

McAdams also served as a founder of the Texas Water Conservation Association and vice president of the same organization and treasurer of the Texas Safety Association. McAdams died on July 18, 1978, at the age of 89 years. He was buried in the Texas State Cemetery two days later.

Information taken from obituary, Austin American-Statesman, date not known; "McAdams to take reins of State Board of Control," Austin American-Statesman, Monday, December 16, 1957., "McAdams Retires," Texas Musicipalities, July, 1957.