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2024 – Third Ward – Andrews Street
In 1871 the villages of Canada, Lockport and Brooklyn joined Three Rivers to become a city of four Wards: Three Rivers 1st, Lockport 2nd, Canada 3rd and Brooklyn 4th. Andrews Street in the Village of Canada was once named Pleasant St. Since Lockport already had a Pleasant Street. the name in 3rd Ward was changed to make less confusion for all. Fire and police departments could better respond. Most of our streets are named for local people (famous, heroic, civic leaders and/or business people). The Andrews Family fit all the categories.
Generations of Andrews are honored by the naming of a street after them. PVT Stephen M. Andrews (1820-1863) was born in New York. Stephen joined the regiment organized at White Pigeon, MI and mustered in on Sept. 24, 1861. He died Jan 1, 1863 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee during the Civil War where he was killed at the Battle of Stone’s River (13,000 Union soldiers died in the Stone’s River Campaign). He married Clarinda Bragg (1822-1884) who was born in New York. She died from typhoid fever in 1884 and is buried at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Kalamazoo County. They had three boys, James O., Bishop E. and Albert J.
Bishop E. Andrews (1846-1918) became an attorney in 1874, after serving in the Civil War (1861-1865), Co. H 25th infantry. He married Lucy Fellows (1847-1907) in 1873 in Kalamazoo. Lucy is a descendant of Abiel Fellows (1764-1833) a hero of the American Revolutionary War. In1905 the Andrews lived at 112 Hooker Ave. The 1905 Directory shows Attorneys: B.E. & L.F. Andrews office at 145 St. Joseph St. (now 32 N. Main) 2nd floor. In 1877 Lucy was the only female attorney in St. Joseph County. Bishop and his second wife, Helen Kline Andrews (1868-1930) married in 1909. The 1913-14 City directory shows Attorneys B. E. & E. H. Andrews (his son Edward) office at 121 St. Joseph St. (now 56 N. Main St.). Edward was Judge of Probate and officer of the Court. His wife, Mary was an insurance agent in 1944.
The Andrews family dedication to Three Rivers: 1883 B.E. first director to present diplomas to graduates. 1884 School board votes graduates must have 3rd grade certificates, 1889 consolidated school district begins. He served on the school board for 31 years. B.E. served on the Library board. Lucy Andrews was the Librarian. In 1890 Lucy compiled a printed catalog of the Library books, 1918 E.H. elected to succeed his father. 1929 Bishop E. Andrews school was dedicated. This family could fill volumes with all their accomplishments and sharing.
Next time: Andrews Street residents.
Anna Smith is a Three Rivers history and mystery lover.
