- WILLIAM H. ANDRE, a prominent and influential farmer, residing
on section 18, Turtle
- Township, and a pioneer of 1846, was born March 17, 1833,
in Wilkesbarre, Pa., and is a son of Peter and Julia (MINICH)
ANDRE. His parents were both natives of the Keystone State, but
of German descent. Peter ANDRE followed the occupation of farming
throughout his life, and remained a resident of Pennsylvania
until about the year 1834, when he removed to Seneca County,
Ohio, and rented a farm in that then wild and unsettled region.
In 1840 he again changed his place of residence, this time taking
up his abode in Lucas County, Ohio, which was then on the frontier.
The eventful and exciting life of a pioneer was exactly suited
to his nature. In the midst of the heavy timer he erected a little
cabin, and developed a farm. He always had a great love for hunting,
and there had ample opportunity to indulge his taste, as large
numbers of deer had their haunts in that region. Our subject
also became an expert with the rifle, and brought down many a
fine animal which furnished them food for many meals. In 1846,
Mr. ANDRE again selling out, continued his journeys Westward,
until reaching Rock County, Wis., where he purchased the farm
now know as the Burr ROBBINS place. As the land did not prove
to be first-class, he sold and bought a farm on the Madison road
in Center Township, to which he removed in 1847, but hardly had
he got settled in his new home, when death visited the pioneer
cabin, claiming him as the victim; he died in July, 1847. He
was a quiet, unassuming man, who received the respect of all
who knew him, and though not a member of any church, each Sunday
morning found him with his Bible in his pocket, on his way to
the nearest house of worship. He also gave liberally to the support
of the gospel, and performed many acts of kindness which will
long be remembered. His excellent wife is still living, and has
since wedded John RICE, a pioneer farmer of Turtle Township.
By her first marriage she became the mother of two children;
William H., of this sketch, and Elizabeth, wife of S. L. KEMMERER,
a resident of Independence, Iowa.
- The early life of our subject was spent upon the frontier,
and his education was begun in the log
- school house of Lucas County, Ohio. Since 1846, he has been
a resident of this county. After the death of his father in 1847,
he began working by the month as a farm hand, and for three terms
attended the district school during the winter. In this county,
in 1854, he wedded Miss Elenora FLOREY, who was born in Northampton
County, Pa., and is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (KEMMERER)
FLOREY. Her parents came to this county about the year 1848,
and resided in Turtle Township until 1884, when the death of
the husband occurred. His wife is now living with our subject.
By the union of Mr. and Mrs. ANDRE six children were born, four
of whom are living. Addison C., born Sept. 11, 1855, learned
the carpenter's and joiner's trade, and is now a fine workman;
Albert, May 3, 1857, is a hardware merchant of Beloit; Elsie,
Sept. 9, 1864, and Archie, Sept. 15, 1877, are still with their
parents. One child died in infancy; and William J., born Oct.
3, 1861, died April 28, 1878.
- After his marriage, Mr. ANDRE purchased a farm of 105 acres
of partly improved land, situated
- on section 6, Turtle Township. He at once began the work
of cultivation and improvement, which he continued until 1865,
when he was forced to abandon agricultural pursuits on account
of failing health. He then made an extended trip through the
States and Territories of the West, and at length located in
Butte City, Mont. , where he engaged extensively in mining. He
remained in the West until 1871, when, his health having been
fully restored, he returned to his home and again turned his
attention to his farming interests which he still continues.
He is now the owner of 193 acres of fine land which pay tribute
to his care and cultivation. In his extensive travels no other
location seemed so desirable as his home in Rock County, where
he was resided, and with the exception of the time mentioned,
for the pasty forty-two years. Many improvements have been made
in town and county since then; in fact, nearly the whole work
of development and progress is embraced within that period. On
his first visit to Janesville he found a little hamlet comprising
one drug store owned by Mr. EDSON, a small grocery, the property
of Mr. GILLETT, and a few little cabins. Scarcely could he have
imagined the rapid changes which have transformed that little
village into the manufacturing and commercial metropolis of Southern
Wisconsin. The first election which occurred after his arrival,
the people came flocking from all parts of the county, all casting
their ballots at one place. From those early days until the present
time, Mr. ANDRE has been identified with the history of the county,
and has borne his part in the advancement of its interests. He
affiliates with the Republican party, and has held various township
offices, but would never accept more important positions. The
honest, upright lives of Mr. and Mrs. ANDRE have won the confidence
of all, while they are held in the highest regard by many friends.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 345-346.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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