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Nathan Andress

Nathan Andress, one of the early settlers of the county now residing on section 34, Illyria Township, claims Connecticut as the State of his nativity. He was born in Fairfield County on 2d of January, 1832, and is a son of William and Nancy (Ambler) Andrews <sic>, also natives of Fairfield County. In early life Mr. Andress learned the comb-makers trade at which he worked for a number of years and then gave his attention to farming and teaming. Having spent many years in his native State, he determined to make the West the scene of his future labors and came with his family to Fayette County, Iowa, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. He was a Democrat in politics until the rise of the Abolition party, when his anti-slavery views led him to join its ranks. On the organization of the new Republican party he became identified with it supporting its principles until his death, which occurred in Iowa at the age of seventy-four years. His wife was seventy-five years of age at the time of her death.

Our subject is the fifth in order of birth in a family of nine children, five of whom are yet living. The educational advantages which he received were such as the common schools afforded and he stayed under the parental roof, working for his father until he had attained his majority. He then began working in a hat factory, which trade he followed for several years, becoming quite an expert in finishing.

Mr. Andress celebrated Independence Day of 1854, by his marriage with Miss Fannie E. Benedict, by whom he had five children - Carrie S., who became the wife of Oscar Warner and died leaving three children; William M., a resident farmer of Nebraska; James A., who resides in Calhoun County, Iowa; David M. and Charles H., still at home. In 1856  Mr. Andress removed with his family to Fayette County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming upon rented land for about two years. In 1856 Mr. Andress removed with his family to Fayette county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming upon rented land for about two years. In 1858 he went to Buchanan County where he purchased a tract of forty acres on credit. By economy and industry he was soon enabled to pay for this and after placing many improvements upon it sold out and returned to this county in 1864. His money he invested in seventy-two acres of land on section 34, Illyria Township, to which he has since added twenty acres, making a good farm which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. Soon after their return to this county his wife died on the 9th of June 1867. Mr. Andress was again married September 13, 1868, his second union being with Rectina A., daughter of William S. and Dorothy (Hoyt) Warner. She was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., on the 8th of August 1841, and when a maiden of eight summers accompanied her parents on a westward journey. They first made a settlement in Winnebago County, Ill., whence they removed to Fayette County in 1854. Both are members of the Free Will Baptist Church.

In political sentiment, Mr. Andress was a Republican, which party he supported from its organization, casting his first Presidential vote for Fremont, until the Greenback party sprang into existence, when he espoused its principles. He now affiliates with the Union Labor party. Mr. Andress is a self-made man. On attaining his majority he began life for himself without capital and whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own efforts. He is an early settler of this county and has been a witness of almost its entire growth and progress.