Francis Ellen "Fanny" Garver was born on 4 Dec 1809 in Mason County, Kentucky to Abraham Garver and Catherine (Okerman) Garver.

Fanny married John Carpenter sometime around 1828 in Decatur County, Indiana. They had four children together before his death about 1837:
(1) Elizabeth Jane Carpenter, b. 1830 Highland Co, Ohio, m. 1848 Washington Co. Iowa, Isaac Smith Thompson, d. 1892, Kalona, Iowa
(2) Catherine Carpenter, b. 1831 Highland Co, Ohio, m. 1853 Washington Co, Iowa, James T Randall, d. 1913 Kalona, Iowa
(3) Daniel Carpenter, b. 1834 Highland Co, Ohio, m. 1855 Emily Edmonson, Washington Co, Iowa, d. 1912 Kalona, Iowa
(4) John "Jack" Carpenter, b. 1836 Highland Co, Ohio, m. 1858 Johnson Co, Iowa, Ellen Louisa Rogers, d. 1924 Superior, Nebraska

On 22 Mar 1838, Frances married Ephraim Nathaniel Adams in Highland County, Ohio. Ephraim adopted the four young Carpenters on 10 Mar 1840 in Highland County. He and Fanny also had six children together:
(1) Eli Adams, b. 1839 Highland County, Ohio, m. Nancy L Smith, d. 1869 English River, Iowa
(2) Rebecca Ann "Becky" Adams, b. 1841 Lafayette, Indiana, m. 1860 Washington Co, Iowa, Isaac S Edmonson, d. 1910 Kalona, Iowa
(3) Mary Susan "Susie" Adams, b. 1844, m. 1864 Washington Co, Iowa, John T Urice, d. 1919 Vinton, Iowa
(4) Rachel Margaret "Maggie" Adams, b. 1845, m. 1866 Washington Co, Iowa, Henry L Rehkopf, d. 1925 Topeka, Kansas
(5) William Riley Adams, b. 1847 English River, Iowa, m. 1870 Washington Co, Iowa, Ann Elizabeth DeWees, d. 1934 Kalona, Iowa
(6) Lydia Ellen "Ellen" Adams, b. 1849 English River, Iowa, m. 1869 Washington Co, Iowa, John Adam Snider, d. 1928 Bloomington, Iowa

Fanny and Ephraim acquired land in English River, Iowa in 1842, which they farmed together for 37 years as they raised the children. Ephraim died in 1879. Around 1884, Fanny moved in with daughter Becky in Kalona, Iowa, where she died on 23 February 1899.

The Kalona News
Friday, Mar 10, 1899
Grandma Adams passed peacefully away at the residence of I.S. Edmondson last Thursday night at the hour of 11 o'clock, surrounded by children and loved ones to whom she talked resignedly of her approaching death and longed to go to the realms of her Savior.
Death had no terrors for her. She had led a faithful and devoted Christian life and her passing from the mortal body was but the beginning of life eternal — a reward that she knew she would receive for her faithfulness.
She was sick only a week and when she was stricken down she told those at her bedside that the final summons had come and talked about it to the end. She bade them grieve not for her and admonished them to continue, faithful unto death, that in the end they, too, might receive the Crown of Righteousness.
Francis Ellen Garver was born in Kentucky Dec. 4, 1809, and died at Kalona, Iowa, Thursday, Feb. 23, 1899, at 11 o'clock: p.m., at the advanced age of 89 years, 2 months and 19 days.
She was married in the state of Indiana to John Carpenter, by whom she had four children, viz: Mrs. Jane Thompson (deceased), Mrs. Catherine Randel, Daniel, and Jack, the latter living at Superior, Neb.
Her second marriage to Ephraim Adams took place in Ohio and this union was blessed with six children, viz: Riley Adams, Eli Adams (deceased), Mrs. Rebecca Edmondson, of Kalona; Mrs. Susie Urice, of Benton Co.; Mrs. Rachel Rehkopf, Topeka, Kan., and Mrs. Ellen Snider, of Muscatine. She had made her home with her daughter Mrs. I.S. Edmondson for the 15 years prior to her death. Of her descendants there are living eight children, forty-two grandchildren, sixty one great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.
In the fall of '42 she came with her husband to Iowa, where for 37 years they labored together. But few of their associates are left to speak of those days. A few were present at her funeral, and in honor to the memory of this pioneer father and mother, recall the days when their hospitable home was ever open to all; how kindness and generosity were present in their dwelling. In this home were cherished the sentiments dear to liberty-loving citizens, and the black slave fleeing from bondage found ready refuge.
Nineteen years ago Mr. Adams passed away, and since then her children and children's children to the third generation have been her companions and often were their names heard from her lips until she breathed her last.
At the age of 16 years she rested her faith in the "God of our Salvation" and joined the Church of Christ. She was faithful to God in all things and died happy, talking of her home beyond. The funeral was held at the Baptist church Saturday at 10 o'clock and was largely attended. Rev. D. G. Abbott conducted the services. The remains were interred in Snider cemetery.