James M. Andrews. For about thirty-two years James M. Andrews was a faithful employee of the Lake Shore Railroad Company but during the past few years he has lived retired at his pleasant home, 528 South Main St., South Bend. His record in the service of this company is one of which he has just reason to be proud, for he was prompt, vigilant and efficient, one who could be trusted and who was relied upon by his superiors. He is also one of the native sons of St. Joseph County, born in Oliver Township April 29, 1840. His father, Hiram H. Andrews was a native of Pennsylvania, but became one of the early pioneers in St. Joseph County, Indiana, taking up his abode within it borders as early as 1832, and for a time there after his home was new New Carlisle. He afterward removed to LaPorte County, Indiana where he purchased a farm, and in 1863 became a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, where the remainder of his life was spent. Mrs. Andrews bore the maiden name of Jeannette Haskells, and from this family Haskell Station in LaPorte County received its name. her death occurred when her son James was but a little lad, and in the family were six children, two sons and four daughters off of whom grew to years of maturity.
James M. Andrews, the youngest of the children, spent the early years of his life in LaPorte county, and when but sixteen years of age he entered the employee of the Lake Shore Railroad Company, spending a short time in the shops in the city of LaPorte. In the same year, 1855, he was made a fireman, thus continuing for about five years, when he rose to the position of engineer, serving both as a freight and passenger engineer and later had charge of the express mail train. During the long period of thirty-two years he continued with this company, faithfully and efficiently discharging his duties, and at the time of his retirement he was their oldest employe in point of years of service. At the time of the great wreck between Mishawaka and South Bend he was serving as fireman on an engine and nobly assisted in recovering the dead bodies from the debris, recovering and placing forty-two in the Mishawaka freight house. In 1862 Mr. Andrews went to northwestern Iowa and became associated with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company, his run being between Cedar Rapids and Boone and he also assisted in the construction of the railroad. During the years of 1864-65, the last years of the Civil War, he had charge of an engine on the Chattanooga and Nashville Railroad, and during the latter part of his railroad service he was connected with the Indiana Northern Railroad, having served as its first engineer.
On the 4th of September 1862, Mr. Andrews was united in marriage to Eliza M. Pease, who was born in Ohio, and was but eight years of age when the family removed to LaPorte, Indiana, the entire journey having been made in a wagon. Three children have been born of this union, namely: Frank E., a mining engineer in Lowell , Arizona; Carrie E., the widow of Dr. E. C. Meyer, and who resides with her father; and Charles, a resident of South Pasadena, California. In 1903 Mr. Andrews, the father, made a trip to California, where he visited his son and saw the beautiful scenery of the Golden state. For twenty-five years, he has been a member of the Brotherhood of Engineers, and is also an exemplary Mason, affiliating with South Bend lodge No. 294. His religious connection is with the Baptist church, of which he has long been a faithful member, and he is a stanch supporter of Republican principles.
From the continuing information by the contributor of this file, Denise Romans so states:
Hiram H. Andrus (Andrews) was was born 1801
in Pennsylvania and he married Jennett Haskell (daughter
of Thomas Haskell and Rosanna. Jennett was born September
1805 in Pennsylvania and died August 20, 1838 in LaPorte Co., Indiana.
He married Rebecca Ann Haynes in St. Joseph County on 10-31-1839 .
Children of Hiram and Jennet were:
1. Hiram H (Jr.) b. September 28, 1828 (see Samuel Griffin
biography on this site.)
in
1900 he and his wife Lucy have been married 50 years and they are
living in Elkhart Co., IN Concord Township, page 59. His name appears
as Herman H. Andrews. Lucy has given birth to 5 children of which 4 are
still alive at the time of this census.
2. Jennett Andrus b. 1831
3. Rebecca Andrus bo. bet 1833 & 1835 in PA and died Christian Co., MO
4. James Andrus b. 1836
Children by Hiram and Rebecca were:
1. Martha b. 1840
2. Joseph b. 1844
For more information on this family and later generations
going to Missouri and other areas please contact
Denise Romans at SDDC1227@aol.com