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HON. ANDREW ADDIE

It would be decidedly inconsistent in a history of Fayette county wherein are enumerated the representative citizens who have won recognition for themselves and at the same time have conferred honor upon the community, were there failure to make mention of Hon. Andrew Addie, who has long held worthy prestige in business and political circles, and has always been distinctively a man of affairs, wielding a wide influence among those with whom his lot has been cast, ever having the affairs of his county at heart and doing what he could to aid in its development. Thus for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that he was one of the loyal supporters of the National Union during the troublous days of the early sixties, he is given a conspicuous position in this work.

Mr. Addie was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, October 19, 1839, the scion of an excellent and well-established ancestry, and in July, 1844, he was taken by his parents, John and Margaret Addie, to Rock county, Wisconsin, where they procured a farm on which they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying at the age of sixty-six years and the mother when eighty-four years of age. They were highly respected by their neighbors for their integrity and kindness. Their son, Andrew, grew to maturity on the farm and attended the common schools, receiving a very serviceable education, which in later years was supplemented by miscellaneous reading. In 1864 he showed his loyalty to his adopted country by enlisting in defense of the flag, in Company I, Thirty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, at the organization of the regiment, which was sent to Virginia and took part in the capture of Fort Mahone on April 2, 1864.  He saw some hard service and much fighing. He was promoted to first corporal and he ranked as third sergeant when discharged. He served faithfully in whatever capacity he was assigned. In the fall of 1865, after receiving an honorable discharge, he came to Scott township, Fayette county, Iowa, and bought eighty acres of wild land at five dollars per acre. He had saved enough to pay for it and to get a start. He proved to be a very successful agriculturist and soon had the place under a high state of cultivation and excellent improvement.  Prospering by careful management and hard work, he added to his original purchase from time to time until he owned two hundred and eighty acres. He also bought another farm of eighty acres, which he still owns. Mr. Addie paid as high as thirty-six dollars per acre for some of his land. He carried on general farming, devoting especial attention to the raising of grain and to livestock. He is now living in practical retirement in his comfortable and substantial home, surrounded by evidences of thrift, prosperity and good taste. His home is now at Arlington, seven miles from his farm.

Mr. Addie has long taken considerable interest in local political affairs and he has been rewarded by being entrusted with a number of public offices. He served one term as county clerk. He served very faithfully and creditably in the Iowa state Legislature, the twenty-third and twenty-fourth General Assemblies, in 1889,1890, 1891 and 1892. He made his influence felt in that body and his counsel was frequently sought by his colleagues. He made a record which was heartily endorsed by all his constituents. At the first session there was a deadlock for five weeks over the speakership. He served on the committee on appropriations, mines and mining; not being especially gifted as a public speaker, his work was principally in the committees; his first term was so satisfactory that he was easily re-elected. He has always been an active worker in the Democratic ranks and is widely known as an influential, conservative and business-like advocate of whatever tends to promote the interests of Fayette county.

Mr. Addie was married in 1861, while living in Rock county, Wisconsin, to Emily Goodman, who was born in England and came to America when a child and located in Rock county, Wisconsin. She has proven to be a most worthy and faithful helpmeet and the success of Mr. Addie is due in no small measure to her counsel and encouragement. Eleven children have graced this union, three of whom are now deceased, namely: Thomas G. died when twenty-seven years of age; Eva is the wife of George B. Speed, living on the home farm; Mary is the wife of John Seedorf, living in Center, living in Center township, this county; Emily married Albert Schug, who also lives on the farm of Andrew Addie; Harriet married E. J. Spensley, a farmer in Buchanan county, Iowa; James W. is also a farmer; John E. is a painter and lives in Madison, Wisconsin; Lillean, who died on the 17th of August, 1910, was the wife of D. J. Frederick, a railroad man living at North Platte, Nebraska; Alice M. is the wife of Fred Pieplow, a farmer living in Putnam Township, Fayette county.

Mr. Addie is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Brush Creek Post, of which he was commander for several years, and is now adjutant. He is one of the first members of the same. He has been a member of Goldenrod Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Arlington for a period of eighteen years.

~transcribed by CMD for Fayette county IAGenWeb (Oct 2011)