Band Musician and Cartoonist at College
Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 16:

b. Gouger St., Adel. 1870; ed. St.Stanislaus Bathurst, St. Patrick's Manly, Genoa; ord. 1897; served in Adelaide Diocese (Gawler, West Terrace, Kadina etc.). Later in New Norcia. "Preacher and scholar of marked ability" (Southern Cross, Adel.). d. 10.5.1925; age 55; buried West Terrace, Adel.

Ref.: St. Stanislaus Bathurst, by Rev. J. Hall CM; Adelaide Church Archives (per Sister M. Attracta OP).
See Footprints, Vol.1. No. 1.

Ordination of the Rev. F.J. Adamson
Chronicle, Adelaide, 3 July 1897, p 22, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87694681:

It is many years since the ordination of a Catholic priest took place in Adelaide, but on Thursday week the impressive ceremony was witnessed at St. Patrick's Church, West-terrace, where Mr. Fred J. Adamson, of Black Forest, was ordained priest by his Grace the Archbishop of Adelaide. Mr. Adamson was educated at the Christian Brothers' College, Wakefield-street, and spent some time in Italy preparing for his vocation. Upon returning to South Australia he continued his studies under the Jesuit Fathers at Norwood, and eventually became private secretary to Dr. O'Reily. Amongst those present at the ceremony were the Very Rev. Dr. Byrne, V.G., the Ven Archpriest Niven, the Very Rev. Father Williams, Fathers Hurley, Murphy, Davies, Andrews, C.P., McEvoy, and Cosgrave (who acted as master of ceremonies). Father Adamson will be attached to the Adelaide Diocese.

Death of Father Adamson
Southern Cross, Adelaide, 15 May 1925, p 9, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167751662:

The death of the Rev. Frederick Joseph Adamson on Sunday morning, at Forestville, where he had been living in retirement for many years, occasioned much regret, not only among the Catholics of Goodwood parish, but to many in the metropolitan area and country districts to whom he ministered in former years. He was born in Fremantle, W.A., and was 56 years of age at the time of his death. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. David Adamson, of Western Australia, and came to this State as a child. He was educated by Mr. W. McBride, who then had charge of St. Francis Xavier's School, and afterwards at the Christian Brothers' College. For some time he made his ecclesiastical studies at St. Aloysius' College, Sevenhills, and St. Stanislaus' College, Bathurst, New South Wales. Archbishop Reynolds sent him to the Seminary in Genoa, Italy, to complete his studies, but the climate did not agree with him, and he returned to Australia owing to ill health. After a time he was able to complete his studies at St. Patrick's College, Manly, and was ordained by the late Archbishop O'Reily in the old St. Patrick's Church, West Terrace, in 1897. After doing duty as assistant priest in North Adelaide, and at St. Patrick's, West Terrace, he served at Gawler, Kadina, and Mount Barker, and was given charge of the new parish of Strathalbyn when it was first formed. During the past fifteen years his broken health compelled him to live in retirement, but he took great interest in both the Goodwood and Largs Bay Orphanages, and said Mass at the Goodwood Orphanage in the intervals when he was fit for duty. He was, however, subject to recurring attacks, which culminated about six months ago in the illness that ended fatally. He was attended by Mgr. Hourigan and Fr. Noone during his illness, and was visited by many priests, Sisters, and other old friends. Great sympathy is felt with his sister, Miss Adamson, with whom he resided, his brother, and other relatives.

The funeral took place on Tuesday morning. The remains were brought to the Holy Cross Church, Goodwood, where the coffin was placed in front of the altar. There was a large congregation present, despite the very wet weather. It included the Sisters of Mercy and children from the Goodwood Orphanage, several Sisters of St. Joseph, and Christian Brothers from the College, Wakefield Street, and Inspector McBride, Fr. Adamson's earliest teacher. Right Rev. Mgr. Hourigan celebrated the Requiem Mass. He afterwards gave the Absolution over the body, assisted by the Rev. Father Gatzemeyer, Adm. of the Cathedral, Very Rev. Fr. Corish, S.J., and Prior Clery, O.C.C., Rev. Frs. Delahunty, Crowley, Smyth, M. Doyle, McNamara, Carolan, O'Hara, Noone, and Thompson. The funeral cortege was then formed, and proceeded to the Catholic Cemetery at West Terrace, where it was met by Right Rev. Mgr. Hurley, V.G., and many other friends. The pallbearers were six of the parishioners of Goodwood.

Rev. Fr. Gatzemeyer officiated at the grave, assisted by the other priests present. The funeral was conducted by Mr. F. Siebert.

Our Gawler correspondent writes:— The death of Fr. F. J. Adamson, although a release from long years of suffering, will be mourned by those who knew him during his three years' ministrations at Gawler. Father Adamson came to the parish as co-curate with the Rev. Fr. Davis, when the late Mgr. O'Neill was appointed to Gawler in 1901. A vigorous and active worker, Father Adamson was also of a very happy disposition. The sick, the poor, and the aged were his especial care, and many a sick patient and aged person was cheered and heartened by the happy atmosphere he carried with him on his visitations. Father Adamson's charity was proverbial, and it was said he never owned a penny if there were poor within reach. This was particularly true of his ministrations at Gawler. During his stay at Gawler Father Adamson was a member of the District Nursing Board, and was the vice-president of SS. Peter and Paul's Literary Society. He was also on the committee of the Gawler Literary Societies Union. Father Adamson also took a very active interest in the Catholic schools of Gawler and Hamley Bridge. Those who knew Father Adamson in the vigor of his work will have memories of a big-hearted, generous personality, combined in the person of a kindly and sympathetic priest. R.I.P.