McDonough ILGenWeb

ANDREWS, William, who has been successfully engaged in farming in McDonough County, Ill., for more than half a century, is still carrying on his customary work in Chalmers Township, where he worked by the day in the middle of his "teens." He was born in Somersetshire, England, February 2, 1835, and is a son of John and Ann (Biddlecomb) Andrews, natives of England, the father's birthplace being the city of London. The grandparents on both sides — William and Sarah (Williams) Andrews and Thomas and Mary (Lockyer) Biddlecomb — were all of English origin, as were the paternal great-grandparents, David and Mary (Morgan) Andrews.

William Andrews, the subject of this sketch, is the seventh son of his parents, and had two younger sisters. He obtained his schooling partly in England and partly in McDonough County, Ill., where he arrived in 1853. He at once started to work on a farm in Scotland Township, seven years later removing to Chalmers Township. Two years afterwards he bought a farm of 120 acres in Section 26 and 27 of the latter township, which was all in timber. This he cleared, and subsequently purchased 160 acres in Section 27. At present Mr. Andrews is the owner of 280 acres of land, on which he raises cattle, hogs, and horses. His principal crops are corn and grass for use in feeding.

In June, 1862, Mr. Andrews was married to Rowena McCormick, who is a native of Kentucky, where she received her early mental training in the common schools. The children resulting from this union are: Emma (Mrs. Leslie Baty); John Oliver; Ida (Mrs. Alfred Sturgeon); Inez (Mrs. Alonzo Baymiller); and Blanche (Mrs. Michael Sullivan). In politics, Mr. Andrews is a Republican. He has held the office of School Trustee four terms, and has served as School Director for many years.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 813-814. Extracted 11 Oct 2018 by Norma Hass.