Pages 40-41

BENJAMIN B. ANDREWS, one of the firm of Van Doren & Andrews, prominent lumber merchants at Birnamwood, Shawano Co., Wis., was born at Whitehall, Washington Co., N. Y., September 29, 1849. He is the son of Benjamin M. and Ann (Lyons) Andrews, the former being born in Danbury, Conn., September 5, 1820, and the latter in Rutland, Vt., March 16, 1825. They were married in New York about 1847 and had a family of eight children, as follows: Benjamin Burton; Mary, who died when an infant; Mary Ann, who died when nineteen years of age; Annetta, now Mrs. R. Lyons, of Oshkosh; Adella; Leverett Brainard, who died when four years old; Emma Amelia, and Merton; the latter is an Episcopal minister and resides at Oshkosh.  
    
Benjamin M. Andrews, father of our subject, came to Wisconsin, in 1850, and settled on a farm in Juneau, Dodge county. He remained there some twelve years, then went to Beaver Dam and later to Oshkosh, where he still resides. He was a carpenter by trade, although he has followed farming the greater part of his life.  His wife, Ann (Lyons) is also still living.
    
Benjamin B. Andrews, the subject of this sketch, obtained his education in the public schools at Juneau, and remained at home until he was seventeen years old, learning, in the meantime, to run a stationary engine. At the age mentioned he went to Milwaukee, and was employed on the Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad for some two years, after which he returned to Oshkosh and worked in a mill, taking full charge of the same until the spring of 1884. At that time he came to Birnamwood, and in company with Mr. Van Doren began the manufacture of staves and headings; three years later they built a sawmill, and in 1892 an extensive mill. They also carry on a general store, and are large owners of real estate, and Mr. Andrews, being a practical millman, looks after that branch of the business. He is a wide-awake, enterprising man, and has been very successful in all his undertakings. Mr. Andrews was married in 1865, his wife being Miss Agnes Parris, who was born in Canada of Scotch descent, one of a family of five children. Her father was a baker in Canada. By this marriage Mr. Andrews became the father of four children: James, who died when a child; William Henry, who also died when an infant; Mary who married H. G. Deyer, an attorney, of Shawano, and Harry, who died in 1894 at the age of twenty-one years. The mother passed away December 14, 1874. The second marriage of Mr. Andrews took place March 16, 1876, Miss Martha 0. Thorn becoming his wife. She is a daughter of John and Sarah Thorn, natives of New York who came to Wisconsin in 1854. Her birth took place in Jefferson county. N. Y., March 6, 1852 and she was one of a family of ten children.  Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have four children: John Burton, Benjamin Burton, Bessie and Helen Dare.             
  
In politics Mr. Andrews is a Republican but has never been an office seeker. He is a trustee of the village, a member of the Congregational Church, and has been affiliated with the United Workmen for the past fifteen years. He is a self-made man, one who has attained to his present standing by industry, perseverance and straightforward methods of business, and is respected as a worthy citizen, and one ready to assist in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community.