From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 1005-1006
 
FRANCIS L. ANDRUS.  One of the substantial and progressive farmers and stock 
raisers in Troy township, Walworth county, is Francis L. ANDRUS.  He belongs 
to that class of men who win in life's battles by sheer force of personality 
and determination, and in whatever he has undertaken he has shown himself to 
be a man of ability and honor.
 
Mr. ANDRUS was born in the state of Connecticut, near Hartford, on September 
7, 1844.  He is the son of Elisha Leroy ANDRUS and Clarissa (DEAN) ANDRUS, the 
father born in Connecticut, May 31, 1813, and there he grew up and was married 
on August 27, 1843.  They came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1845, and 
settled in Troy township, near Troy Center, on eighty acres.  Here he began 
life as a pioneer and in due course of time prospered, adding to his little 
farm until he owned two hundred and forty-five acres at the time of his death, 
on March 6, 1854.  His wife survived him over a half century, dying on 
December 26, 1899.  Three sons were born to them: Arthur Denison, born in Troy 
township, March 29, 1847; Aaron S., born February 22, 1853, and Francis L., of 
this sketch, who was the eldest of the three.  Politically, Elisha L. ANDRUS 
was a Whig and he became active in local affairs, at one time holding the 
office of superintendent of schools in Troy township.  He and his wife were 
members of the Universalist church.
 
Francis L. ANDRUS was reared on the home farm and, being the eldest child and 
his father dying early, much of the responsibility of tending the place and 
helping the rest of the family devolved upon him.  In 1856 the mother moved to 
Racine and there the subject was educated in the public and high schools.  In 
1867 he returned to the home farm in Walworth county, but went back to Racine 
in 1871, returning to the farm in 1873 and here he has remained to the present 
time, keeping the homestead well improved and under a high state of 
cultivation; however, accumulating a competency, he has lived retired since 
1892, in which year he built a commodious and attractive residence, also built 
a fine home on the farm adjoining his residence at this writing.  He owned one 
hundred and forty acres of the old homestead which he sold in 1893 to Edgar B. 
WATROUS.
 
Politically, Mr. ANDRUS is a Republican and he has long been active in local 
affairs, being now township clerk, having held this office many years.  He was 
the first town clerk in 1869 and he became chairman of the town board.  He is 
a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
 
Mr. ANDRUS was married on October 6, 1869, to Jennie E. NOBES, of Cleveland, 
Ohio, and to this union four children were born, namely: Eugene L., born June 
24, 1870, lives in Troy Center; Nonna C., born February 12, 1872, in Racine, 
died September 7, 1872; Ida May, born November 1, 1874, died January 12, 
1879;  Jessie J., born August 4, 1876, died January 18, 1879; Pearl Isabel, 
born May 23, 1878, died in January 22, 1879.  The wife and mother passed to 
her rest on October 30, 1880, and on September 30, 1889, Mr. ANDRUS was 
married to Mary Viola WATROUS, a native of Walworth county, born here 
September 5, 1863, the daughter of John G. and Anna (BUNKER) WATROUS, who came 
to this county in 1853, and located in Troy township, and here they spent the 
rest of their lives, Mr. WATROUS dying on June 11, 1898, and his wife on 
October 16, 1892.  Five children were born to Mr. ANDRUS and his second wife, 
namely: Alice May, born May 8, 1891; Sidney F., born May 14, 1893; Wallace 
Watrous, born March 16, 1897, died July 7, 1897; Orion E., born December 28, 
1899; Edwin A., born March 28, 1904.
 
Submitted by Carol