My Genealogy Hound

JAMES H. ANDRUS came to Graves County when its few scattered settlements were but niches in its surrounding forests, and for fifty-six years has been identified with the development of the country. His father, Archibald Andrus, was a native of Halifax County, Va., which State he left in an early day, immigrating to Murray County, Tenn., where our subject was born in 1813. Two years later the family moved to Illinois, then on the outskirts of civilization, and settled not far from the present town of Belleville, where they remained about six years, at the end of which time they returned to Tennessee, where Archibald Andrus made his home until 1828, when he came to Graves County, and located in Lynnville Precinct, on the place where James H. now lives; and was a respected citizen of the county until the time of his death in 1842. The maiden name of subject’s mother was Frances Bennett. She died a few years later than her husband, and with him lies buried on the old farm. James H. Andrus is the third son and fifth child of the foregoing, and remained with his parents until his father’s death, but had purchased a farm and commenced life for himself a short time before that date. He obtained a good practical education while living near Nashville, Tenn., and during a long life has borne the reputation of being a very exact and competent business man. At his father’s death he took possession of the old homestead, and from time to time has added to his possessions, and is now one of the largest owners of real estate in the county, owning over 800 acres of fine land in various precincts. Mr. Andrus was never married. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party.