William Andrews

As printed in 1912

WILLIAM ANDREWS

William Andrews is a representative business man of Morse, Johnson county, and has been residing in the vicinity the past forty years. He came to Graham township with his parents in 1860, just prior to the Civil War, and since reaching manhood has been actively interested in the general progress and prosperity of the region. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, July 23, 184-9, son of Joseph and Joanna (Garrett) Andrews, the former a native of Allegheny county and the latter of Chester county, he horn March 4, 1820, and she January 10, 1817. The mother died in Graham township August 1, 1889, and the father June 3, 1911.

The Andrews family came to Johnson county in 1860, locating in Graham township, William Andrews being then in his eleventh year, and he finished his education in the common branches in the local schools. Later he attended the State University of Iowa a year and a half, preparing for the profession of teaching. He spent two years in Madison county, being engaged in teaching one year, but aside from this, has lived in Johnson county since first coming here. At the time the Rock Island railroad was built to Morse, he came to the town, where he has since been a leading business man. In the early seventies, when a railroad was completed between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, he entered the employ of a Burlington firm, buying and shipping grain, with headquarters at Morse, and at the expiration of his contract with this company formed a partnership with E. K. Morse, a prominent pioneer. He spent two years in the stock and lumber business, and at the time of dissolving partnership with Mr. Morse, he continued alone a short time, but on May 7, 1876 (Centennial Year), took Alfred R. Ohl as a partner, the style of the firm being Andrews & Ohl until September 1, 1880. Later the firm became known as Andrews, Ohl & Company, when Samuel H. Hempsted became a partner. Mr. Hempsted was the father of Mrs. Ed Graham, and a sketch of his career may be found in these pages. The concern dealt in stock, grain, lumber, seeds, wagons, farm implements, buggies, harness, coal, and rock salt. They won a wide reputation in eastern Iowa for the fairness of their dealings and for the strict integrity of the men interested in the enterprise. They built up a substantial business.

For some years past Mr. Andrews has carried on a lumber business on his own account, also dealing in other building material, coal, salt, and other commodities and devotes much of his attention to his business at Morse. He has other interests, however, and is a man of large affairs, farming on quite an extensive scale. His farms are stocked with a line grade of Polled Hereford cattle. His herd has taken a state premium and he takes great pride in the reputation he has in this line. In the year 1911 his corn yield varied from 85 to 90 bushels per acre, one of the best records in his part of the state. His land is well tiled and fenced "hog-tight," and he has the most modern and substantial buildings possible. In 1911 he erected a concrete foundation to his barn, and his splendid farm residence, located just outside of the town of Morse, stands on a most pleasant eminence, so that it overlook the surrounding country and is most desirable situated. The house is surrounded by cement walks and is fitted with everything possible to add to the comfort and pleasure of the inmates. Mr. Andrews gives employment to several men on his place, which is kept in fine condition.

On May 25, 1876, Mr. Andrews was united in marriage with Charlotte L. Morse, daughter of a pioneer, E. K. Morse, and a native of Graham township, where their union took place.

Seven children have blessed this union, of whom three died in early childhood, the others being: Alfred, Lewis, Frank, and Ruth. Mrs. Andrews is prominent in church, social and Literary circles, and influential in various movements in Graham township. They were among the founders of the Christian church at Morse and have always been active in its support. Mr. Andrews is a member of the A. F. & A. M. He is one of the most public-spirited citizens of Johnson county, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in distress or need, who deserve his consideration, and helping forward every worthy cause. He is pleasant and genial, hut modest and unostentatious, and greatly enjoys the society of his friends, of whom he has a large number, ne is an advocate of temperance and at the time of the incorporation of the village voted to keep out intoxicants, believing it to be for the best interests of the community toward off the evils which would be likely to follow the advent of a saloon. His action in this regard has been appreciated by the best element in the township and identifies him with the best interests of all.

As printed in Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa, history (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.