Thomas Andrews, a successful dairyman and farmer of Delaware county, owning and operating one hundred and twenty acres on sections 7 and 8, Delaware township, was born in Somersetshire, England, January 17, 1842, a son of William and Sarah (Bryne) Andrews, who were likewise natives of that country. The parents spent their entire lives in their native land and both are deceased. They had a family of four children but our subject is the only one living.
      Thomas Andrews was reared and educated in the land of his birth and after reaching mature years was there married to Miss Elizabeth Bryne, a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Shepard) Bryne, who were lifelong residents of England. Mrs. Andrews is the youngest in their family of eleven children and only two of the number now survive.
      It was in 1879 that Thomas Andrews and his wife set sail for the United States, for he had heard reports from this country that led him to believe that better opportunities waited him here than he could enjoy in his native land. During the first two years after his arrival he lived in New York but at the end of that period he made his way west, choosing Delaware county, Iowa, as his destination. For six years he was employed by one man at farm labor, and then rented the farm which he conducted for fifteen years.
      During this period he saved his earnings and eventually invested in his present farm, which is now a well improved property and nothing is ever neglected which will add to the appearance or value of his place. He gives much time to dairying, keeping good grades of stock for this purpose. As previously stated, Mr. Andrews was married to Miss Elizabeth Bryne prior to his emigration to America and this union has been blessed with one daughter and three sons: Mary Ann, the wife of Tony Wassink, who makes her home in Minnesota and who is the mother of four children; William, a resident farmer of Buchanan county, Iowa, who is married and has five children; Francis, at home; and John, who died when only a year old.  Mr. Andrews gives his political allegiance to the republican party. In all the relations of life his actions have conformed to the highest standards and he is ever loyal to the best interests of his adopted country.