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Below is a family biography included in Biographical Record of Oakland County, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1903.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Henry Andrews, one of the successful farmers and large land owners of Oakland County, owning 100 acres in Commerce township in section 23, where his comfortable home is located, and also 100 acres adjoining, is one of the most highly respected German born citizens of this section. His birth took place in 1827, in Germany, where his parents died during his youth.

Mr. Andrews came to America in 1857, his brother John having preceded him in 1848 and established himself on a good farm in West Bloomfield township, Oakland County. Later John Andrews removed to California, where he now resides. The next member of the family to cross the ocean was Elizabeth, who came in 1852 and married Jacob Schriner, they now live at Norwalk, Ohio, where they are engaged in farming.

In 1857 our subject joined his brother in West Bloomfield township, and in 1861 purchased his farm of 100 acres in section 23, Commerce township, and later the adjoining farm, which he has continued to improve to the present time. His land is well located and under his excellent management and practical methods has rewarded him largely. He has carried on general farming and stock raising.

In 1851 Mr. Andrews was married to Mary Pinney, who is a daughter of Samuel Pinney. The only members of her family to come to America were her half-brother, John, and two half-sisters, Elizabeth and Catherine, who reside in New York. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have had five children, namely: Otto, engaged in farming near Mason, Michigan, who was married to Eva Keck and has five children, — Ethel, Mary, Kitty, Ora and Ira; Elizabeth, who married William Hayes, a farmer of Commerce township, Oakland County, and has two children, — Mabel, born March 20, 1888, and Claire, born June 21, 1890; John, who resides with his father, assisting in the management of the farm; Henry, a merchant at Commerce village, who was married to Ella Wicks and has one child, — Harold; and William, who died in March, 1903.

Mr. Andrews for years has been a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he has always been a supporter of the Democratic party. He has always been a man of industrious habits and the result of the same is shown in his present sound financial condition. He is most highly respected in Commerce township.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Record of Oakland County, Michigan published in 1903. 

View additional Oakland County, Michigan family biographies here: Oakland County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Oakland County, Michigan here: Oakland County Michigan Map

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