BIOGRAPHY - Daniel H. Andrews
DANIEL H. ANDREWS, a farmer residing on section 7, Wall Township, is a
native of Illinois, born in Fulton County, on the 25th of October, 1850, and
is a son of Harman Andrews, who was born in New York, and was of English
descent. When very young, his father died, and he was compelled to begin
life for himself. He worked for a time as a farm hand, but at the age of
fourteen began learning the ship carpenter's trade, at which he was employed
until the age of twenty-two. He followed this occupation chiefly with his
brothers, in New Orleans. In 1842, Mr. Andrews came to Illinois, settling in
Fulton County, and began the cultivation of a farm. He enlisted in this
State under Col. E. D. Baker in the Mexican War, and was made Corporal,
serving one year.
Harman Andrews was united in marriage in Fulton County, November 22, 1843,
to Eliza Peterson, who was a native of Ohio, but of German descent. They
became the parents of eight children, three sons and five daughters: Flora,
who died April 14, 1870; Benjamin C., a farmer of Wall Township, this
county, was born on the 27th of September, 1846, and his sketch appears on
another page of this work; Julia C., born September 24, 1848, died in 1878;
our subject is the next in order of birth; Josiah S., born November 24,
1852, was called to his final rest October 15, 1854; Sarah E., wife of
Charles Brandenburg, of Nebraska, was born on the 13th of March, 1855; James
H., a farmer of Wall Township, was born September 25, 1857; and Eliza Jane,
born June 13, 1861, was the wife of C. C. Broadus, and is now deceased.
The father of this family served for two years' as Captain of Company G,
Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry, in the late war. Resigning that command, he
returned home and raised another company, becoming its Captain. It was
mustered into the service as Company A, of the One Hundred and Fifty-first
Illinois Infantry. With this company he served until the close of the war.
He was wounded at the battle of Corinth, a piece of shell shattering his
left arm, after which he was taken prisoner, but at the end of sixteen days
was parolled. Capt. Andrews participated in several important engagements,
including that at Island No. 10, Iuka. New Madrid and Corinth, and was in
the Vicksburg campaign until the fall of that city. He received his
discharge in January, 1866.
From Fulton County, Capt. Andrews removed to Marshall County, this State,
where he laid his land warrant in 1855, and there engaged in farming until
his death, which occurred on the 27th of February, 1875, at the age of
fifty-five years, his birth being on the 29th of January, 1820. His wife
followed him to the final home only thirteen days later, and both were
buried in Marshall County. In religious belief, he was a Methodist, and
socially was a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity. He took an active part
in political affairs, and was first a Whig, but on the organization of the
Republican party, became one of its stanch supporters, and was a strong
Lincoln man. He served for two terms as County Treasurer of Marshall County.
Daniel H. Andrews was reared to manhood on his father's farm, where he
remained until past the age of twenty-one, receiving his literary education
in the district schools. At the age of thirteen, when his father was
fighting for the Union, he assisted his mother in the management of the home
farm. When he had reached his majority, he began life for himself as a
farmer in Marshall County, where he remained one year, and then came to Ford
County, where he has since made his home. He is now the owner of two hundred
and seventy acres of arable land, but on coming to this county, he only
purchased ninety acres. He is now engaged in general farming and
stock-raising, being a breeder of fast horses, and is one of the
enterprising farmers of the community.
Our subject was married in Marshall County. March 5, 1872, to Miss Minnie
Durfey. She is a native of Ohio, born on the 29th of October, 1850, and the
fourth in a family of eight children born unto Reuben and Emily M. (Vining)
Durfey. Her parents were both natives of Ohio. Throughout the greater part
of his life, her father has followed the occupation of farming. Attracted by
the discovery of gold, he went to California in 1850, making his way across
the plains. He was quite successful in his mining operations, and after
about a year, returned by the Isthmus of Panama. The old money belt which he
brought with him is now in the Durfey home. He is a member of the
Presbyterian Church. His wife, who died in 1874, was also a member of the
Presbyterian Church. Of their family, five are yet living: Elmer, who is
married and resides with his wife and three children upon a farm in Ohio;
Sarah, wife of John Davis, a resident farmer of Delaware, Ohio; Mrs.
Andrews, wife of our subject; Alice, wife of Clarence Manter, of Ohio;
Elsie, who is married and resides in Delaware, Ohio; Girard, the eldest of
the family, was one of the boys in blue. He enlisted in Company C, Fourth
Ohio Infantry, under Capt. Crawford, and his regiment was assigned to the
Army of the Potomac. He was wounded at the battle of Bull Run, losing all
the fingers of his right hand, after which he never enjoyed a day's health.
In 1865, he was married, but his wife died in 1876, leaving a son. In
October, 1888, death relieved him of his sufferings while an inmate of
Washington Hospital, where he had gone for treatment.
Mrs. Andrews spent her maidenhood days under the parental roof, and, after
attending the common schools, was for two years a student in the select
school and one and a half years in the female seminary of Delaware, Ohio,
after which she tried teaching in her native county. She is a lady of
culture and refinement, and presides with grace over her hospitable home.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born nine children: Frankie, born
July 14, 1873, died January 15, 1876; Fannie, born February 22, 1875;
Orville, July 17, 1876; Otis, December 28, 1878; Willie, March 24, 1880;
Alice, February 8, 1882; Maggie, February 14, 1884; Minnie, March 21, 1889;
and Hazel, January 25, 1891; all of whom are with their parents.
Mr. Andrews and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church at Melvin, and take an active interest in its work. He is a strong
Republican in his political sentiment, but has never been an office-seeker,
though he does much for the advancement of the party. Socially, he is a
member of the Sons of Veterans, being the present Commander of Camp No. 369,
of Melvin. He is one of the prominent citizens of Wall Township, and is
liberal with his means in the advancement of those enterprises for the
benefit of the community.
Extracted 22 Aug 2019 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Record of Ford County, Illinois, published in 1892, pages 241-242.
