History of Macon County, Illinois, 1880, p. 163

THOMAS ANDREWS

Among the successful foreign born citizens of the city of
Decatur stands the name of Thomas Andrews. He is a native of 
South Wales, and was born August 28th, 1840. He is the
youngest son of a family of three children (two sons and one 
daughter), who by the chances of fortune are as widely
separated as is almost possible. The brother is a resident
of Africa, and the sister of Australia. Mr. Andrew's parents 
died while he was yet young; he was kindly cared for by his
maternal uncle and aunt. He grew to manhood on a farm; his
education was limited, and received in the public schools of 
his native country. With his uncle's family he remained
until his twenty-second year, when he resolved to emigrate
to America and seek his fortunes in the new world, and left
Liverpool on the 3d of May, 1862, landing in New York on the 
18th of the same month. After visiting friends in Rochester, 
N.Y., and remaining with them a week, he then set out for
Wisconsin with a friend who had made the journ! ey with him
from Wales. In Wisconsin he went to work on a farm, and
remained a year and a half, when feeling the need of a more
thorough business education, he entered Bryant, Stratton &
Spencer's Commercial College at Milwaukee, and remained
there three months. On account of his funds getting short he 
was compelled to seek employment for the purpose of
replenishing his exhausted finances. He received a letter of 
recommendation to the proprietor of the Central House in
Decatur, Ill., and came on here; after waiting five or six
weeks he received the position as clerk. Remaining in that
capacity for six months, he then went to the old Revere
House as manager and clerk of the billiard hall and saloon;
he remained in the "Revere", in different capacities, for
four and a half years, when he leased the saloon and
billiard hall, and operated both as proprietor until the
house was burned down. A few days later he leased and fitted 
up the room in the St. Nicholas Hotel, moved his stock!  
there, and has continued the business with success up to the 
pres or influential friends. He started down at the foot,
and by slow, patient toil has made a comfortable competency. 

Typed by - Pat Hageman hageman@inx.net


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