Iddings, Andrew S., 1880-1974

Andrew S. Iddings was born on October 18, 1880, in Dayton, Ohio. He was a lawyer by profession, but was also interested in exploration and photography. In 1902, he was given the opportunity to tour the Canadian Northwest as a guest of the Canadian government. Later he traveled to many parts of the world including Mexico, and parts of the Near East, South America, and Africa. During his travels Iddings tried to capture the wonders of these areas with his camera. Working for the Keystone View Company, he took thousands of stereographic photographs that entertained and educated Americans on various cultures of the world. Iddings was always a supporter of Dayton, Ohio. He served on many different civic and cultural boards until his death in 1974 and the age of 93.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, on Oct. 18, 1880, Andrew S. Iddings enjoyed a long career as a lawyer, civic leader, businessman, traveler and photographer. Iddings died in 1974 at the age of 93.

Andrew Sheets Iddings was born on October 18, 1880 in Dayton, Ohio. He was the second son of Charles Dickens Iddings and Aurora Belle Alice Sheets Iddings. Iddings had two brothers, Daniel Wilkinson Iddings, II, born in 1879 and Roscoe Charles Iddings born in 1889.

Andrew Sheets Iddings was a Dayton lawyer by profession, but he was also a civic leader, explorer, author, and photographer.

Travel and exploration were very important to Iddings, eventually becoming a second career for him. This career began almost by chance in 1902, when Iddings met a representative of the Canadian Immigration Department who was looking for Ohio government officials willing to tour the Canadian Northwest. Iddings was interested and this trip marked the beginning of many other foreign adventures. Some of these adventures took form as an African safari and three world tours.

Traveling provided Andrew S. Iddings with material to use in writing and in photography. He became a stereographic photographer for the Keystone View Company in the early 1900s. As an author, he built quite a reputation for himself by writing newspaper articles and magazine articles on his travels. A biography entitled Andrew S. Iddings Explorer: The Story of his Life and Travels tells of his life and reprints many of his articles.

Andrew S. Iddings followed family tradition when he became a lawyer. Both his father and grandfather had successfully practiced law in Ohio before him. The partnership of D.W. and A.S. Iddings was so successful that over the years it expanded to become Iddings, Jeffery, and Donnelly.

The three Iddings brothers founded the Fyr-Fyter Company in 1916. This manufacturing venture was established to manufacture a line of fire extinguishers and other related products. It remained under their control until 1946, when it was sold to an eastern bidder, William M. Wetzel. Roscoe C. Iddings served as President and active manager for two years. With his retirement in 1947, the Iddings brothers' association with the Fyr-Fyter Company was terminated.

Being part of the 1909 Commissioners of Montgomery County and Preble County, Iddings assisted in many decisions. One such decision shed light on the deplorable conditions of the Stillwater Sanitorium. He was elected Secretary of the Board of Trustees on May 4, 1934 and oversaw the rebuilding of facilities and updating of equipment at the Sanitorium.

Iddings became a member of the Dayton City Plan Board in 1934. It was during this time that the Federal Low Rent Housing statute passed and he was highly interested in building affordable housing in Dayton. He eventually became Chairman of the Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority and oversaw the completion of eight housing projects.

Andrew S. Iddings was always a supporter of Dayton, Ohio. Serving on many different civic and cultural boards until his death in 1974 at the age of 93, Iddings helped Dayton become a leader in municipal development.