The success in a business way of George F. Andrews affords the best evidence of his capability to manage his private enterprises, and he has also proven an active factor in the development and progress of the community in which he lives. He was born in Milford, Otsego county, New York, on December 6, 1851, his parents being James and Julia Anna (Smith) Andrews. James Andrews was born in Milford, New York, and died in a hospital in the south during the Civil war, having been among the first to volunteer from Otsego county. He was a farmer, but in 1857, during the quest for gold, he went to California and returned just before the outbreak of the Civil war. He was one of two children: Amos Andrews, the older of the two, died when a small boy, having gone to Chicago, Illinois, with an aunt, during a cholera epidemic, contracted it and died there. Julia Anna (Smith) Andrews, mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Otsego county, New York, and died in Little Falls, about 1895, while on a visit to her son. Her father was a farmer and came from Vermont and settled in Otsego county, New York.
George F. Andrews was educated in the Little Falls Academy and Fort Plain Seminary. At the age of sixteen he became an apprentice carriage maker, learning his trade under Charles Benedict, who was one of the best manufacturers in the state of New York, in his day. After completing his apprenticeship he served Mr. Bennett as a journeyman workman until 1882, when he went into business with William J. Miller, under the firm name of Andrews & Miller and continued until 1886, when he bought out his partner and continued the business under his own name and built up an extensive business, employing eight to ten men. He specialized in building carriages but also built vehicles of various kinds, stage coaches, busses, sleighs, trucks, lumber wagons, etc., and enjoyed not only a big local trade but also shipped his vehicles to other states and as far as California. In 1900 Mr. Andrews bought the White Star Laundry, which he conducted as a side line. He discontinued the wagon business in 1918, owing to the demand for automobiles and continued the laundry business until January 1, 1923, when he sold out to Thomas Welsgey, since which time he has retired from active business.
On February 11, 1874, George F. Andrews was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia C. Casler. She was born in Little Falls, New York, on December 27, 1853, and is the daughter of Henry D. and Mary L. (Carroll) Casler. Henry D. Casler was a groceryman in Little Falls, New York, and died at the age of thirty-one years. His wife, Mary L. (Carroll) Casler, was born in Schenectady county, New York, on October 22, 1823, and died on September 27, 1899. She was the daughter of Lewis and Cornelia (Lovett) Carroll. Mrs. Andrews is a member of Rock City Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and of Little Falls Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have two children: Mary C. Andrews was born on April 30, 1876, and educated in the Little Falls, New York, public schools. On June 21, 1899, she was united in marriage to Henry C. Jones, son of Sheldon F. Jones, and they have three children: George S. Jones, born on June 10, 1900; Marian Louise Jones, born on September 22, 1901; and Henry C. Jones, Jr., born on February 1, 1906. Miss Clara Louise Andrews was born on December 23, 1890, and was graduated from Little Falls high school, class of 1908, and from Syracuse University, class of 1913, with the degree of A. B. She teaches English and public speaking and is now teaching in the Little Falls, New York, high school, where she has gained considerable local distinction.
Mr. Andrews was the first republican excise commissioner ever elected in Little Falls, New York, and served three years. He is a stanch republican and at one time served on the town committee and was one of the party workers. He was one of the first members of the board of education for the city of Little Falls, New York, and served for twelve years and also served for six years as a member of the board of health of Little Falls, New York. Mr. Andrews has been a Mason for fifty years and holds membership in Little Falls Lodge, No. 181; Little Falls Chapter, No. 161, and Little Falls Commandery, No. 26, Knights Templars. He stands high in his community as a business man, as well as for honesty and fair dealing.