Adams and his son, Thomas Jr. began production of the gum in 1871 and in 1888 they opened a factory in Brooklyn, which was one of the largest of its kind in the world. Eventually, it would become the American Chicle Company (known for Chiclets) and moved its production to Long Island City (where Adam's name still graces the water tower.)

The gum was sold as "Adams' New York Gum No. 1- Snapping and Stretching." Flavors included Black Jack and Tutti-Frutti, and in 1888 the latter became the first gum to be sold in vending machines. (Adams Chiclets are seen advertised on this billboard on 1135 Sixth Avenue.)

With his gum fortune, Thomas Jr. built a mansion. This house, located across the street from the photo above, was designed as a double house in the Romanesque Revival style by C.P.H. Gilbert, with one entrance facing 8th Avenue and the other facing Carroll Street, it is decorated with stained glass windows and dragon ornaments. It was also the first on the block to have an elevator. A home similar in style was constructed as it's neighbor, though this building was demolished to make way for a new apartment building in the 1950s. The story around the neighborhood goes that one summer the family came home from vacation to find their calls for the servants went unanswered. When they went to look for them, it transpired that the elevator had stuck. The servants were all trapped, no one had heard their calls, and they were all dead inside the contraption! Residents of the building have claimed to hear voices crying in an Irish brogue, "Mary Mother of God help us!" I wasn't able to find any proof that this actually happened, but it sure is an interesting tale.

In 1897, Thomas Jr. sold his home for $75,000 and moved to New York City. Thomas Sr. retired from the business in 1898, leaving his sons in charge. On February 7, 1905, he died of pneumonia at the age of 87. He is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery.