Among the early pioneers of Stephenson County who came with brave hearts and strong hands to open up a home in the wilderness, upon soil which as yet had been untouched by the plowshare, was the subject of this history, who has moved in and out among the people of West Point Township for a period of forty years, and by his worthy life and straightforward business course has fully established himself in their confidence and esteem. He first opened his eyes in the township of Claridon, Geauga Co., Ohio, Dec. 31, 1814, on the farm of his father, Benjamin Andrews, a New Englander who located in the Buckeye State in the pioneer days. The latter, a native of Connecticut, was born in the city of Hartford, where he grew to manhood, and whence he removed first to Genesee County, N. Y. and later to Ohio, the journey being effected with ox-teams through an unbroken wilderness.

Benjamin Andrews was one of the earliest settlers of Geauga County, Ohio, where he purchased a tract of heavily timbered land four miles from what afterward became the village of Chardon in Claridon Township, where he first put up a log cabin after the primitive manner of those days, covering the roof with “shakes” which were held in place by weight poles. The fireplace occupied nearly one side of the cabin, and the chimney was built outside of mud and sticks. In the absence of glass for windows greased paper was substituted, and the furniture of the new building was in keeping with the building itself. Within this humble abode our subject first saw the light of day, and continued to live in that locality until 1835. In the meantime his father had cleared the farm which he afterward sold, to remove to Rockport, a little town about seven miles west of Cleveland. Thirteen years later he disposed of his property in the Buckeye State, and coming to this county located in West Point Township, where he continued until his death in August, 1864.

The mother of our subject, formerly Miss Polly Douglas, was also a native of Hartford, Conn., and died in Rockport, Ohio, in February, 1844. Of her marriage with Benjamin Andrews there were born seven children, of whom the record is as follows: George is a resident of Wright Co., Iowa; Caroline, who married Ashel Mastic, died in Rockport, Ohio; Benjamin F. also died there before the removal of the family to the West; Orville is a resident of Franklin County, Iowa; William, of our sketch, was the fifth child; Nancy, Mrs. Latham, died at the home of her husband in Lena; the youngest child died in infancy unnamed.

The childhood and youth of William Andrews were spent after the manner of the sons of pioneer farmers, and he was trained to habits of industry and economy. As soon as old enough he began making himself useful about the homestead of his father, commencing at a tender age to follow the plow and to work in the harvest field. His schooling was accomplished during a few weeks of each winter, and he remained a member of the parental household until twenty years of age. Afterward he worked by the month on a farm in Ohio until 1838, when he joined his parents in this county.

The first work in which Mr. Andrews engaged after coming to this locality was to assist in building the first bridge across Yellow Creek in West Point Township. Soon afterward he purchased a claim in that vicinity, his land being now included in West Point Township. About this time he was attacked with a fit of homesickness, and it may be that there was an attraction which had the effect of turning his footsteps toward his native State. He trudged on foot from Stephenson County to Chicago, where he boarded a sailing-vessel and proceeded by the Lakes to Cleveland. Soon after reaching Geauga County, Ohio, he thought it wise to secure unto himself the lady who had promised to be his future wife and helpmate, lest in his absence some other man might put in a claim. Accordingly he was married, Nov. 5, 1838, to Miss Jane Tomlinson, and leaving his wife with her parents returned to Stephenson County and made preparations for her future comfort, going back for her the fall following. Upon their return he and his bride set up housekeeping in the log cabin which he had erected on the land included in his present farm, but which had not then come into market. He occupied this humble dwelling with his family for twelve years and then put up a pretentious frame structure, which was considered quite grand for those days. After becoming the mother of five children, who were named respectively, Terressa J., Sarah C., Lucia A., Lewis B. and Mary A. Mrs. Jane Andrews departed this life Oct. 10, 1872.

Two years later Mr. A. returned to Ohio, and purchasing land near Rockport engaged in gardening and dairy farming until 1884. He then returned to Stephenson County and took up his abode on the old homestead. In the meantime, April 8, 1875, he was married to Mrs. Lucy (Romp) Hawkins, who was born in Olmstead, Ohio, Dec. 10, 1832, and is the daughter of William A. and Anna (Frost) Romp, and widow of Nathan Hawkins. The parents of Mrs. Andrews were natives respectively of New York and Ohio. Her maternal grandparents were born in Connecticut. She lived with her parents until her marriage to Nathan Hawkins, which took place in Olmsted, Ohio, in 1851. Of this union there were born three children: Libbie and Carrie are living in Rockport, Ohio, and Nettie is living with her mother. Mr. Hawkins was born in Mentor, Ohio, June 23, 1832, and lived there until reaching manhood. He was fairly educated, a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and at the outbreak of the late war was one of the first to proffer his services in behalf of the Union, enlisting in Co. G, 103d Ohio Vol. Inf. He participated in many of the important battles of the war, following bravely and uncomplainingly the fortunes of a soldier, and sacrificed himself upon the altar of his country amid the horrors of Andersonville Prison, where his death took place May 9, 1864. The place of his burial is unknown, but his name is held in kindly remembrance by those who knew him and appreciated his fidelity to duty, and the sacrifice which he made, even to the extent of giving up his life.

The two children of the later marriage of our subject, Percy and Roy, both died of scarlet fever in March, 1885, aged respectively six and eight years. This bereavement was a sad blow to the afflicted parents, leaving a loneliness in the household which can better be imagined than described. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson united with the Presbyterian Church at Lena in 1886, of which they have since remained active and consistent members. When first exercising the right of suffrage Mr. Anderson identified himself with the Whig party, but upon the abandonment of that party cordially endorsed the principals of the Republicans.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 627