John A. Andrus, attorney, Ashton, is a native of New York, born in 1833, and is a son of Elim and Margaret (Mooney) Andrus, both natives of New York. John's grandfather. Benjamin Andrus, served in the revolutionary war. His literary education is that of the common school and the Holly Academy of Yew York. He graduated in the Bryant & Stratton Commercial Business College, New York He then read iaw for some time, and then came west and taught school in Michigan two years, and at Rochelle and Ashton each one year. He was engaged in the mercantile business for twelve years, and in farming for a time. In 1877 he was admitted to practice law in Michigan, and in 1878 was admitted to the bar in Illinois. He was examined before the appellate court at Chicago, in a class of forty-nine, seven of whom were rejected. He has since practiced in Ashton. He held the office of police justice in Ashton for four years. He and all his family, so far back as he can tell, have been members of the democratic party. He was married in 1881, to Rhoda A. Siple, daughter of John and Harriet Siple, of Ohio. They have two children: Dora A.. a senior of the class of `82 of the University of Champaign, her course being that of litorature and science. The second child is an infant.

Source: History Of Lee County Pg 627