Eleazer Andrews ¹

  General Notes:

History of Hardin County, Iowa
Springfield, Ill: Union Publishing Company, 1883.

Providence Township

E. Andrews, one of the early settlers and enterprising farmers of Hardin county, was born in Virginia, on the 25th day of February, 1824, his parents removing to Columbiana county, Ohio, when he was three years old, remaining there until the spring of 1836, when they removed to the southern part of Illinois, about twenty-five miles from St. Louis. In the fall of 1840 they came to Jefferson county, Iowa. In 1855 E. Andrews came to Hardin county, locating on the place where he now resides, where he embarked in farming, erecting a fine residence, which was blown away at the time the cyclone passed over this county, Mr. Andrews sustaining a loss of $3,000. After the storm had passed, he looked around and saw the results of his five years' work swept away as in the twinkling of an eye. No wonder he became disheartened and thought strongly of leaving the county. Traveling extensively over the State in search of another location, he finally came back, threw off his coat and manfully went to work. By judicious management, he has accumulated a fine property, and to-day is among the well-to-do farmers of the county. He has 100 acres of land, valued at $75 per acre. In May, 1850, he was united in marriage with Catherine Bedell, of Greene county, New York, where she was born March 5, 1827. By this union they had seven children, three of whom are living, viz.: Edna J., wife of Aaron Roberts; Dillwin C. and Estella. In politics, he is a Republican, and has held the office of County Surveyor and other local offices. Mr. Andrews was elected by the General Assembly one of the Trustees of the Reform School. He also had charge of the Mitchellville School. The family are members of the Society of Friends.

Eleazer married Catherine Bedell on 1 May 1850. (Catherine Bedell was born on 5 Mar 1827 in Coeymans, Albany, New York, USA and died in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California.)