Harry A. Andrew was born and raised in Grand River Twp., son of John N. Andrew (5-29-1852) and Evaline Aldora Akers (2-13-1858) who were married in the old East Elk Chapel Church-school in May, 1875. Evaline's father (Spencer C. Akers) helped build Elk Chapel. Mr. Akers ran a store and post office at Elk and he was one of the committee of three to locate the county seat of Decatur Co. of the 2nd location by act of legislature.

Harry, at the age of 96, is the only one of John and Evaline's twelve children still living. Two of his brothers' wives are living yet: Mrs. Paul (Carrie) Andrew, Lamoni, Ia., and Mrs. Lyman (Myrtle) Andrew, Houston, Tex.

Harry and his wife, Jessie (Lloyd), lived many years of their lives south of Grand River on the farm where their five children (Ray, Vernon, Ralph, Dorothy and Donald) grew up. They moved to S. Dak. during the early years of their marriage but lived there only a brief time.

Very few farm families had electricity in their homes during those years that Harry and Jessie's children were growing up but he and the boys supplied their house with electricity by means of a windcharger. They also had ice cream "every Sunday" in the summer because they built an ice house an dfilled it with ice from a near by pond in the winter time.

Harry and later his sons had the first caterpillars around Grand River and built the farm ponds. He always liked to invent things and at one time he made and sold a garden cultivator. He and his brother attempted to invent a perpetual motion machine, but wihtout success. That is still one of his pet projects.

He keeps up a correspondence with friends and relatives in California and Texas, watches TV and very much enjoys visiting with friends and relatives.