He began his business career in Scotland, where he lived until about 1872, when he moved to the United States upon the advice of his brother, Robert B. Adam, co-founder of
Adam, Meldrum & Anderson. He served as President of the
Idlewood Association, a summer resort colony in Lake View, NY, during the 1880s and 1890s. In 1901, he was elected
alderman of the 24th ward. He was elected mayor on November 7, 1905, as the
Democratic candidate, serving from 1906 until 1909. He did not run for another term. ==Personal life==