George C. Andrews

Posted by Janet on Sat, 17 Feb 2001

George C. Andrews, one of the early settlers of Greenwood and Eaton Township, was born at Smith's Falls, Ont., Dec. 3, 1830, son of Elkanah and Elizabeth (Hutton) Andrews. The parents were natives of New York State, whence they removed at a very early day to Canada, in which country they passed the rest of their lives. George C. Andrews acquired his education at Smith's Falls, and there grew to manhood. When only 15 years of age he started to learn the blacksmith's trade, serving three years as an apprentice at $25 a year. At the end of that period he went to Rawdon, Canada, where he established himself in business, and while there, on Oct. 11, 1854, he was united in marriage with Lorinda Chamberlain, a native of New York State.

For several years, he and his wife resided in Rawdon, and there seven children were born to them. In 1856, Mr. Andrews made a trip to the United States, remaining six months. Then returning to Canada, he resumed his trade and business, which he followed there until 1871. He then came again to the United States, bringing his family with him, and settling in Greenwood, Eaton Township., Clark County, Wis. which village at that time contained only two stores and a hotel. Here Mr. Andrews set up a blacksmith shop, becoming the village smith. Six days a week he could always be found at his forge or anvil, and on Sunday he supplied the pulpit, being the first local Methodist preacher in Greenwood. He also purchased forty acres of land in Section 35, Warner Township, besides quite a quantity of other wild land. After a residence of over thirty years in Greenwood, he died, June 28, 1902, honored and respected by his fellowman. Mrs. Andrews, the wife and mother, died July 6, 1897. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom were, as previously stated, born in Canada. Of these two died in infancy. A brief record of the children, including the three born in Greenwood, is as follows: Mary Elizabeth, now Mrs. Erastus Bowen, of Greenwood; Harriet Angelia, widow of Dr. H. J. Thomas, of Chicago; James S., of Eaton Township, Clark County; George B., who died in Iowa, April 8, 1917; Florence, now Mrs. Ralph Hall, of Chicago; the two who died in infancy in Canada, where all the above mentioned were born: Effie B., now Mrs. Arthur Cadmen, of Fairchild, Wis.; Lillie, who is unmarried, and lives in Chicago, and Ella, who died at the age of 2 years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Andrews were loyal and highly esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.