James H. Andrews

As printed in 1910

JAMES H. ANDREWS.

James H. Andrews of Kewanee, practicing at the Henry county bar as a member of the firm Anderson, Andrews & Welch, and also well known as a local leader of the democracy, was born in Geneseo, Illinois, December 18, 1870, and is one of a family of ten children, all of whom reached years of maturity.

His parents were James and Marietta (Campbell) Andrews, the former a farmer by occupation. In the country schools the son pursued his early education and afterward benefited by instruction in the Geneseo Collegiate Institute and in Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, graduating from the former in 1891 and the latter in 1895. When his more specifically literary education was completed he began preparation for the practice of law and attended the Illinois College of law in Chicago, where he qualified for a professional career being then admitted to the bar on the 5th of December, 1901.

In the meantime, however, Mr. Andrews had come to Kewanee and was identified with newspaper interests here. He arrived in this city in August, 1897, and soon afterward purchased the Kewanee Democrat. He was also owner and publisher of the Kewanee Daily Verdict, a democratic paper which he issued for three years. In 1895 he organized the Geneseo Arena, which he published for two years, and all this time through his persistent efforts and also through the columns of the paper he was exerting a wide-felt influence in democratic circles. In the fall of 1900 he was elected on the democratic ticket to represent his district in the lower house of the state legislature and served for one term, giving to each question which came up for settlement thoughtful and earnest consideration.

Since admitted to the bar in 1901 Mr, Andrews has engaged continuously in the practice of law and has made steady progress along professional lines. He has never specialized in any particular branch of the profession but has given his attention to general practice, and the ability he has displayed has led to his retention as council for the defense or prosecution on many important cases. He is strong in argument, logical in education, and his devotion to his clients' interests stands as an unquestioned fact in his career. Moreover, he possesses marked oratorical ability, and his fluent and earnest speech is a factor in his success. In 1906 he entered into partnership with Nels F. Anderson, of Galva, under the firm name Anderson & Andrews. This partnership has existed to the present time, with the addition to the firm of Thomas J. Welch in 1908, under the present firm style of Anderson, Andrews & Welch.

On the 2d of February, 1907, Mr. Andrews was united in marriage to Miss Eva M. Russell, a daughter of Samuel and Matilda Russell, the former now a retired farmer residing in Kewanee. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have one son, Russell Harper. They are members of the Congregational church and are prominent in the social circles of the city, enjoying in large measure the regard and esteem of all with whom they have been brought in contact.

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.