Vedder, O. F. and Lyman, H. S. "History of Seattle, Washington - With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers." Frederic James Grant, Ed. New York: American Publishing and Engraving Co., 1891. p. 405. LYMAN B. ANDREWS Among the prominent pioneers of the Puget Sound basin, the name of Lyman B. Andrews deserves prominent mention, not only on account of his conspicuous position in the community for over thirty years, but also by reason of his notoriety in all forward movements to say nothing of his high character for sterling integrity and worth. A short biographical sketch of his career in life so far, will therefore, not be out of place in this volume. Lyman B. Andrews was born on the 10th day of February, 1829, in Ontario county, state of New York. He is, therefore, now in his sixty-second year. He is the only child of William and Hannah Andrews. In 1832 the family emigrated to Adrian, Michigan. Young Lyman was then, of course, three years old. The family resided in Adrian until 1854. In the meantime young Lyman had reached an age when it became important to choose an occupation for life. He selected the business of railroad engineer and machinist. He had, indeed, a fair common school education, but his business naturally suggested great defects in this respect; to remedy which he now applied himself with great energy and diligence to a course of private study, particularly in the higher branches of mathematics. He also attended for a time the high school at Adrian. His object was to perfect himself in the line of his profession and business. Being naturally of bright perceptions and of a quiet turn of mind, his zeal and industry were abundantly rewarded, and he not only improved his mind in necessary educational branches, but by a course of reading, he laid a broad foundation of accurate general knowledge and information, particularly historical and political, which stood him in good stead even afterwards and rendered him a valuable man in after public life and enabled him to speak on public occasions with that plain, sturdy and manly eloquence which makes him today no unworthy antagonist on the stump and in all fields of useful discussion. His business of railroad engineer carried him back in due time to his native state of New York, and it was there, in Oneida county, that he met and subsequently, in the year 1849, courted and married Miss Jennie L. Rowley. The date of their marriage was October 1st, 1849. She still survives, and they have lived together most happily for nearly forty years. She has, indeed, proved herself a most worthy specimen of the American matron and has contributed her due share towards the distinguished prominence and eminent respectability of the family. Although reared on a farm and well skilled in practical agriculture and stock farming, Mr. Andrews gave his entire attention to the business of railroading as engineer and machinist until the date of his settlement of Puget Sound. He moved with his young family from Adrian, Michigan, and settled in Hennepin county, Minnesota, where he resumed his regular occupation on railroads. This removal took place in 1854, when he was twenty-five years of age. In 1859 he emigrated with his family and his parents to California, and they all settled in Napa City, Napa county, California. But Mr. Andrews was essentially a pioneer frontiersman by nature; and hearing of the vast possibilities of the Puget Sound country he again took up his household goods and settled in 1860 in the Sammammish valley, near the lake of the same name, in King county, then Territory of Washington. The discovery, shortly afterwards, of a rich vein of coal on his farm on the Sammammish lake, opened up new prospects and new expectations. From this time forward he gave his whole time and labor, when not engaged in active public duties, to the development of the rich coal deposits of the Puget Sound basin. He studied books and added theoretical to practical knowledge, and he has in various ways largely contributed towards successful coal mining in this state. His success in the coal fields and his ownership of valuable mines, have, together with judicious investments from time to time in real property, contributed to his material prosperity, and he is now in affluent circumstances. This is fortunate, for although Mr. Andrews if frugal and prudent in his mode of life and is by no means extravagant, yet he is not what one would call a money grubber. He is too generous and open handed; the needs of his family and especially the education and careful bringing up of his children have always been regarded by him as of far more importance than the mere accumulation of money. From the farm in the Sammammish valley the family removed to Seattle, and there they have resided ever since. They were soon joined by Mr. Andrews' aged parents, who lived in this city until, full of years and gray headed, they went down to the grave honored by all and deeply mourned by their only child. Mr. Andrews has four children, all now grown up: William R. Andrews, Mrs. Eva Hopkins, Judge R. Andrews and Lyman Ralph Andrews. The oldest, William R. Andrews, Esq., is now nearly forty years of age. He is a lawyer by profession and resides at Seattle. He studied law with Judge Orange Jacobs, then chief justice of Washington Territory, and is now one of the most successful lawyers of this state. He is known far and wide for his prudence, skill and integrity. Judge Andrews is a farmer. He is not a judge, but was so christened in honor of Judge Rowley, of his mother's family. But he is a number one farmer, living in the Sammammish valley, and is quite noted for push and energy and has already acquired a considerable fortune. Mrs. Eva Andrews Hopkins and her husband are a worthy couple residing in King county. In politics Hon. Lyman B. Andrews is Republican. In public life he has filled many important and highly responsible positions, in which he has always been found to be prompt, honest and capable. No man has ever accused him of having contaminated his finger with unlawful gain. This is high praise, but in this case it is well merited. He began his public career as town clerk of Brooklyn township, Hennepin county, Minnesota. He has been member of the territorial legislature of Washington Territory for King county. He has been chief clerk of the legislative council of Washington Territory. He was clerk of the district court holding terms at Seattle for ten years -- from 1865 to 1875 -- and discharged the duties of that office with high credit at a time when the office was new, with no precedents to guide him, and he was thus thrown absolutely upon his own resources and good sense to guide him; his natural ability and quick perception, added to persistent patience, carried him safely along. He was a member of the constitutional convention held at Walla Walla in 1878. He was a delegate in the Republican national convention at Philadelphia in 1872. He was a member of the Republican national committee from 1872 to 1876, and attended the national convention at Cincinnati in 1876 in that capacity. At present he is president of the Harrison Legion of Seattle. In November, 1890, he was elected a member of the house of representatives of the second legislature of the state of Washington, but, owing to protracted illness was not able to occupy his seat during the session of 1891. Mr. Andrews resided with his family for more than twenty years at the northwest corner of Fourth and Madison streets, in the city of Seattle. He still owns the property, but has built a residence in what is known as "Queen Anne Town," in the northern portion of the city, and now resides in that pleasant suburb. Let us not enlarge the present sketch by calling in the aid of undue flattery. With a kindly smile and an open hand and a generous heart the subject of this article has passed through more than sixty eventful years of life. He is still hale, strong and hearty, and let us hope that he will be spared to his friends for many years to come. But, however that may transpire, as we return his genial smile and feel his fervent and cordial hand-shake whenever we meet the good old man on the street, let us turn and, looking after him as he makes his way amid the jostling crowd, whisper a "God bless you!" as he passes out of sight on the down grade of life. * * * * Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in February 2006 by Diana Smith. Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.