Background
Andrews was born in Sunderland, Massachusetts on November 4, 1834.
Andrews was born in Sunderland, Massachusetts on November 4, 1834.
He graduated from Amherst College in 1858. He then moved to the state of Connecticut and studied law.
In 1861 he was admitted to the Barometer He had one child. In 1878, however, he accepted the nomination for representative from Litchfield in the Connecticut House of Representatives. At the following election he was elected and enjoyed the distinction of being the first Republican to hold that office since the American Civil War.
In this session he was chairman of the Judiciary Committee and leader of the House.
Later in the same year, 1878, Andrews was elected the Governor of Connecticut by a legislative vote, and served from January 9, 1879 to January 5, 1881. During his term, the governor"s office was granted the power to recommend judges for the State Supreme Court and a resolution passed that ended an ongoing boundary line dispute.
A bill was constituted that established the incorporation of joint-stock companies and a progressive jury law was formed. Andrews left the office on January 5, 1881, and continued his law practice.
Appointed to the bench of the Connecticut Superior Court in 1881, he served as chief justice from 1889 to 1901.
He also was a delegate and presiding officer to the 1902 Constitutional Convention. Andrews died on September 12, 1902 (age 67 years, 312 days). He is interred at East Cemetery, Litchfield, Connecticut.
In 1868 Andrews became a member of the Connecticut State Senate from Litchfield County.