Person:James Andes (1)

JAMES A. ANDES.

MR. ANDES, who is now engaged in the grain business at Tower Hill, is a native of the county, and was born in Windsor township, on the 5th of March, 1841. On his father's side he is of German descent, though the family has lived in this township fo r several generations. His great-grandfather emigrated from Germany to America, and settled in the State of Pennsylvania. His grandfather was born in Pennsylvania, and at an early period emigrated to East Tennessee, where Allen Andes, father of the subjec t of this sketch, was born. In the year 1837, Allen Andes, then a young man, came to Illinois and settled in Shelby county. In 1838, be married Elizabeth Davis, who was born in Greenbrier county, Virginia. He began farming on Sand Creek, in Windsor townsh ip. James A. Andes was the third of a family of twelve children. His mother died in Windsor township, and his father in Tower Hill township. He was married in Windsor township, and his home was in that part of the county till he was twenty-five years of a ge. The educational advantages existing in his boyhood were comparatively limited. The schools were held in log school-houses, and had by no means reached their present state of efficiency. He improved his opportunities as best he could, and partly in stu dy by himself acquired the elements of a good education. At the age of eighteen he began teaching on Upper Sand Creek, in Windsor township. Many of his pupils were older and larger than himself. He taught three winters, and then for two terms attended the old seminary at Shelbyville, under C. W. Jerome. He afterwards taught school several years. He has taught in the county twelve winters altogether, in Windsor, Okaw, Tower Hill and Big Spring townships. His marriage took place on the 14th of March, 1865, to Sarah E. Selby, daughter of James M. and Lydia M. Selby. Mrs. Andes was born in Okaw township, and her parents were among the early settlers of that part of the county. Her grandfather came to this county from Kentucky. Her father was born in Kentucky, and was a boy when the family became residents of Shelby county.

Her mother, Lydia M. Skeen, was a native of the state, and was born in Effingham county.

In the fall of 1865, Mr. Andes purchased a farm in Tower Hill township, and has since been a resident of that part of the county. In 1872, he began the grain business at Tower Hill, which he has since carried on. His residence is in the village of Tower H ill, though he owns a farm adjoining the town. In his political belief he was originally a Republican. By his first vote for President, cast in 1864, he assisted to elect Lincoln to his second term. He continued a Republican till 1874, when he became conv inced that the legislation of the country was conducted in favor of capital and to the injury of the laboring and productive classes, and he then joined the Greenback party. He was one of the first members of that political organization in his part of the county, and has remained steadfast in his adherence to its principles. He is known as a man of strict personal integrity and business capacity. At different times he has filled the office of assessor, collector and clerk of Tower Hill township. He has tw o children, Luella and Minnie Andes. For a number of years be has been connected with the Methodist Church. He is a man of liberal opinions and progressive views, and is popular as a business man.