WILLIAM ANDRUS - Biography ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: WISCONSIN BIOGRAPHY INDEX http://www.rootsweb.com/~wibiog/ 2002 ==================================================================== Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 732-734 WILLIAM ANDRUS, the well-known and efficient superintendent of the Sauk County poor farm and insane asylum, was born in Avon, Lorain County, OH, 21 Oct 1840, a son of Edwin and Macena (MOORE) ANDRUS, who were among the prominent pioneers and highly respected citizens of Sauk County, WI. The name of ANDRUS or ANDREWS is one of the oldest in history and has been common in England for several centuries. The founders of the family in America were John ANDREWS and his wife, Mary, who settled in Farmington (then called Tunxis) [Hartford County], CT, in 1640. He died in 1681, and she in 1694. Their descendants have modified the spelling of the name ANDRUS, ANDROS and ANDREWS being the most prevalent forms. The posterity of John ANDREWS included some of the most conspicuous citizens of CT during the colonial period and in more recent times. Edwin ANDRUS, father of our subject, was a native of Glastonbury [Hartford County], CT, whence he went to Sullivan County, NY, and in 1831 to OH, where he carried on a saw mill for a number of years. In 1854 he came to Sauk County, WI, and cleared up a large farm in Reedsburg Township, owning 240 acres at the time of his death, which occurred 14 Apr 1883, when he was 77 years of age. He was reared in the Baptist faith, but became a Unitarian in his religious views, and was always a [p 733] Christian in practice and precept. In political sentiment he was a Democrat. He was always very kind to the Indians, who camped in considerable numbers near his house and held him in high regard. He first married Susan GILLETT, by whom he had one daughter, Mrs. Frank AVERY, of Baraboo [Sauk County, WI], now deceased. Mrs. Macena ANDRUS, the mother of our subject, was born in Willsboro [Essex County], NY, 22 Jul 1810, and died 20 May 1896. She was also reared in the Baptist faith. Her father, Joseph MOORE, who sprang from an old colonial family, was a native of MA, and at the age of 16 entered the Continental army during the Revolutionary war, in which he served six years or more. His brother, John, was killed in a massacre by the Indians during that struggle. Four sons of Joseph MOORE (Norman, Theron, Joseph and Seth) were all soldiers in the war of 1812, as well as two son-in-laws, and all participated in the battle of Lake Champlain. The subject of this sketch is the third in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being Ranson M., a resident of Baraboo [Sauk County], WI; Amelia, wife of F. M. McCLURE, of Reedsburg Township, Sauk County; Adelaide, wife of O. B. TITUS, of Reedsburg; and Rosette, deceased wife of H. SORGE. William ANDRUS was a lad of 14 years when he came with his parents to Sauk County, and for 15 years he operated the saw mill which his father erected two years after their arrival, manufacturing considerable hardwood lumber. In 1864 he purchased a farm of 160 acres in Reedsburg Township, which he still owns. He also lived several years in the city of Reedsburg while educating his children. On 26 Mar 1864, Mr. ANDRUS married Miss Adarene C. TERRALL, who was born in North Ridgeville [Hancock or Lorain County?], OH, and came to WI in 1863. Her parents were Gillespie and Lucretia (TUCKER) TERRALL, the former born in North Ridgeville [Hancock or Lorain County?], OH in 1824, the latter in Canandaigua County, NY. Her grandfather, Ichabod TERRALL, removed from New England to OH in 1810, and took with him the coat of arms of the family. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. ANDRUS are as follows: Mary Belle is now the wife of John BRUMITT, of Spokane [County], WA. Adelaide Amelia is the wife of Charles UMSTED, of the same place. William TERRALL, who attended the Wisconsin University for three years, is now carrying on the homestead farm. Frank C., who was connected with the Merchants Retail Collecting Agency for some time, died 22 Dec 1893, aged 24 years. He is supposed to have been murdered, as his body was found in the Chicago River in Mar 1894. Robert C. has for several years been employed in the Sauk County institutions of which his father has charge. All of the children received good high school educations. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. ANDRUS are Unitarians, and in his social relations he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, but is not a politician in the sense of office seeking, though he has held a number of township offices. Since Dec 1891 Mr. and Mrs. ANDRUS have been in charge of the Sauk County poor farm and insane asylum and have wrought many remarkable reforms in the conduct of those institutions and in their equipments. The county farm conprises 320 acres of land, one-half of which is covered with timber, and from this 500 cords of wood are cut and used annually. Since our subject took charge the buidings have been more than doubled in size, and many conveniences and improvements have been [p 734] introduced. An admirable system of water works and electric lights have been fitted up and the work of carrying on the institution has been greatly simplified, while adding very much to the comfort and convenience of both inmates and employees. Telephone connection has been established with the city of Reedsburg, five miles distant. There is an average of 40 inmates in the county house and 100 in the asylum, patients from six other counties being accomodated in the latter institution. The most noteworthy feature of the establishment is the uniform quiet and harmony which prevails among the inmates. Both Mr. and Mrs. ANDRUS have the peculiar faculty of securing the confidence and exerting a powerful influence over the unfortunates placed in their charge. The patients are allowed the utmost liberty and take pride in meriting the confidence reposed in them. Doors are never locked night or day, and force is very rarely required to carry out the rules of the establishment. In this respect the Sauk County asylum is a model of its kind. Though many insane patients are pronounced incurable when returned from the state hosptal at Mendota, a number have been practically cured by the humane methods practiced by Mr. and Mrs. ANDRUS. Religious services are conducted regularly, and though attendance is not compulsory, most of the inmates participate. There are some talented musicians among them and the exercise of this and other wholesome amusements is encouraged.