Education
He spent his boyhood on a farm and attended the public schools of Ohio, Oberlin College, and Tabor College in Tabor, Iowa, and read law while learning the printing trade.
He spent his boyhood on a farm and attended the public schools of Ohio, Oberlin College, and Tabor College in Tabor, Iowa, and read law while learning the printing trade.
Bede taught school in Iowa, Ohio, and Arkansas. He was editor and publisher of several newspapers and periodicals, and served as a representative for several western newspapers in Washington, District of Columbia In 1886 he moved to Minnesota.
He was engaged in newspaper work at Pine City, Minnesota, Pine County, Minnesota. Served as United States marshal for the district of Minnesota in 1894 during the great railway strike.
Spoke at the first annual dinner of the Associated Press in New New York
Elected as a Republican to the 58th, 59th, and 60th congresses, (March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1909). Unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1908 to the 61st congress. Returned to Pine City.
Engaged as a publisher and lecturer.
Moved to Duluth, Minnesota, in 1927 and engaged in his former pursuits. Also was interested in the Saint Lawrence inland waterway project
Bede also served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, in 1931-1932, from Saint Louis County, Minnesota;
Bede was noted for his humor and speaking style. In an April 28, 1912 article titled “How humor Enlivens the Solemn Work of Congress” the New York Times reported:
Adam Bede was one of the most popular stump speakers and spellbinders of the present generation.
In his book The Homesteaders recounting life in early twentieth century rural Pine County Minnesota, O Bernard Johnson describes Bede"s speaking style as follows:
J. Adam Bede of Pine City, was a congressman in the early 1900s.
He was a great humorist and had a rapid fire delivery. When running for reelection he spoke in our schoolhouse and had the audience in stitches during his entire speech. If he said anything seriously about the issues of the day no one can recall, but I am sure that his humor got him many votes.
Bede was married and had seven children.
He died in Duluth, Minnesota, April 11, 1942 and is buried in Birchwood Cemetery, Pine City, Minnesota.