Charles Andrews

Background

Charles Andrews was born on May 27, 1827 in New York Mills, New York, United States, the sixth child of John and Polly (Walker) Andrews.

Education

After attending public school and Cazenovia Seminary he studied law at Syracuse, New York.

Career

He was admitted to the bar in January 1849. His ability was early recognized and in 1853 he was elected district attorney of Onondaga County, holding the position for three years.

He was mayor of Syracuse in 1861, 1862, and 1868.

As delegate-at-large to the constitutional convention at Albany, June 4, 1867, he assisted in framing the "judicial article" which reconstituted the court of appeals and was subsequently adopted.

He was elected associate judge of the New York court of appeals, May 17, 1870, being appointed chief justice, November 19, 1881.

In 1882, as Republican nominee for this position, he suffered defeat in the wave which swept Grover Cleveland and the whole Democratic ticket into office; but on the expiration of his term as associate justice in 1884 he was reelected on the nomination of both parties.

In November 1892, again on a joint nomination, he was elected chief justice. He retired, December 31, 1897, having reached the age limit of seventy years. Admirably equipped for the appellate court, he had become an outstanding figure in the judicial life of the state.

Having maintained a close connection with Syracuse throughout his career, he spent his long years of retirement there, dying on October 22, 1918, in his ninety-second year.

Personality

Andrews had an independent yet tolerant mind and a thorough knowledge of the principles of equity.

Quotes from others about the person

• Franklin W. Chase: "Judge Andrews was a great judge and a great citizen. He was loved and honored not only by his associates on the bench but by all the people whom he had served so well and he was hailed by them as the First Citizen of Syracuse. "

Interests

• Travel, fishing, and riding had been his main forms of relaxation, and advancing age did not altogether debar him from the open-air life. It is said that when he was ninety years old Mrs. Andrews made him a present of a horse.

Connections

He had married Marcia Shankland on May 17, 1855, daughter of Judge Shankland; their son, William Shankland Andrews, became judge of the New York supreme court.

Mother:

Polly (Walker) Andrews

Spouse :

Marcia (Shankland) Andrews

Father :

George Andrews

Brother:

Edward Gayer Andrews

Sister :

Catharine Ann (Andrews) Baker

Sister:

Clara Andrews

Sister:

Mary Gardner (Andrews) Gambia

Son :

Charles Walker Andrews

Son :

William Shankland Andrews