Andrews, Christopher Columbus, 1829-1922

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Andrews was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, the son of a rural farmer. He attended school during the winter months until 1843 when he travelled to Boston. He attended the Francestown Academy, completed his education, and studied law in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1848. He passed his bar examination two years later and established a law practice in Newton, Massachusetts, where he served as a member of the city school board in 1851–1852.

He briefly relocated to Boston in 1853, but left the following year for the West, settling in Kansas. He went to Washington, D.C., to help promote Kansas's interest to the United States Congress, and spent two years working as a law clerk in the United States Treasury Department. He then moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota, in 1856, and three years later, was elected to the Minnesota State Senate. During the presidential election of 1860, he actively supported the Northern Democrat Stephen A. Douglas and was nominated as a presidential elector. Despite his support for Douglas, in 1861, he was instrumental in establishing a newspaper, the Minnesota Union, supporting the policies of President Abraham Lincoln, and served as editor before enlisting in the Union Army.

During the Civil War, Andrews rose to the rank of brigadier general and at its close was brevetted as a major general. He originally enlisted as a private, but was commissioned captain in the 3rd Minnesota Infantry. Captured by Confederates in Tennessee in July 1862, he was held as a prisoner of war until October, when he was exchanged. He returned to his regiment as lieutenant colonel and participated in the Vicksburg Campaign.

In July 1863, Andrews was promoted to colonel and commanded a brigade in the operations to capture Little Rock, Arkansas, later in the year. Throughout the balance of the year and into early 1864, Andrews helped organize and foster the Unionists in Arkansas and was influential in the reorganization of Arkansas as a free state. He was promoted to brigadier general in acknowledgement of his efforts while commanding troops near Augusta, Arkansas. Andrews was assigned to the command of the Second Division of the XIII Corps, and participated in the siege and storming of Fort Blakely in Alabama. On March 9, 1865, he was brevetted Major General and assigned command of the district of Mobile.

Andrews was dispatched to Houston, Texas, to supervise the early stages of Reconstruction in the region and to keep the order while a new provisional civil government was put in place under Governor Andrew J. Hamilton. He mustered out of the service on January 15, 1866. He was a companion of the Minnesota Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States - a military society of officers who had served in the Union armed forces during the American Civil War.

Andrews was appointed by President Grant as United States Minister to Denmark on April 16, 1869, and was sworn into office but never proceeded to his post. He was then appointed as United States Minister to Sweden and Norway and served from 1869 to 1877. He served as United States Consul-General to Brazil from 1882 to 1885. He helped supervise the 1880 census for Minnesota.

Interested in scientific forestry, Andrews after the war worked to stir public sentiment for responsible logging and forest practices, but without much success until the Great Hinckley Fire of 1894 burned several towns in east-central Minnesota, garnering widespread public attention. He maintained that proper forestry would renew the state's ravaged timberlands and make them fire-resistant. Eventually, leading foresters and companies began to implement Andrews' ideas and practices. He was Minnesota state Forestry Commissioner when the Baudette Fire of 1910 burned, further strengthening his argument for regulation of forestry.

A prolific writer, his publications include a History of the Campaign of Mobile (1867) and Brazil, Its Conditions and Prospects (1887; third edition, 1895).

Andrews married Mary Baxter in December 1868.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn James M. Bowler and Family Papers, 1827-1976. Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Andrews, C. C. (Christopher Columbus), 1829-1922. [Addresses and papers]. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Letters received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1880 [microform]. Minnesota Historical Society Library
contributorOf Record Group 48: Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior, 1826 - 2009 Series: Field Office Appointment Papers, 1849 - 1907 File Unit: Andrews, Christopher C. - Minnesota - Supervisor of the Tenth Decennial Census - Third Census District National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874. Correspondence, 1829-1874 Houghton Library
referencedIn Trenerry, Walter Northey, 1917-. Walter Trenerry papers, 1860-1963. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
referencedIn Letters received by the Office of Indian Affairs [microform]., 1824-1880 Minnesota Historical Society
referencedIn Minnesota. Joint Efficiency and Economy Commission. General statements, 1915-1916. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Minnesota State Forestry Board. Fire wardens' reports and maps, 1895-1910. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Minnesota State Forestry Board. Forestry Board miscellaneous records, 1875-1929. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
referencedIn Minnesota Soldiers Home (Minneapolis, Minn.). Commandant's miscellaneous records, 1886-1983. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Andrews, C. C. (Christopher Columbus), 1829-1922. C.C. Andrews and family papers, 1843-1930. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part III: The Civil War: The Union, 1804-1915. Houghton Library
referencedIn Association Records, 1870-1935 (bulk 1916-1935). Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf CC Andrews photograph collection [graphic], ca. 1900-1905. Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Lochren, William, 1832-1912. William Lochren and family papers, 1852-1925. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Minnesota. Governor. Miscellaneous forest fire relief files, 1910-1921. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Willius, Ferdinand, 1830-1916. Ferdinand Willius and family papers, 1814-1956. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Carded Records Relating to Civil War Staff Officers, 1890 - 1912 File Unit: Andrews, Christopher C. - Brigadier General National Archives at Washington, D.C
referencedIn Philip Case Lockwood memorial collection of Civil War portraits and autographs, 1862-ca. 1886. Houghton Library
creatorOf Minnesota State Forestry Board. Photographs and negatives compiled by C. C. Andrews, undated and 1889-1909. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Indexes to the Carded Records of Soldiers Who Served in Volunteer Organizations During the Civil War, 1899 - 1927 File Unit: [Minnesota] Andrews, Christopher C - 3rd Infantry, Company I,F&S National Archives at Washington, D.C
creatorOf Third Infantry Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Association. Association records, 1870-1935. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Photographs and negatives compiled by C. C. Andrews, Undated and 1889-1909. Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Minnesota State Forestry Board. Minutes of the meetings of the Minnesota State Forestry Board. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Library, Minnesota DNR Library
creatorOf United States. Secretary of State. Consular dispatches, 1793-1906 [microform]. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Steele, Frederick, 1819-1868. General Frederick Steele papers, 1845-1965 (inclusive), 1862-1868 (bulk). Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Andrews, C. C. (Christopher Columbus), 1829-1922. Writings, 1853-1908 : together with two biographical sketches / Christopher Columbus Andrews Minnesota Historical Society Library
contributorOf Record Group 48: Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior, 1826 - 2009 Series: Field Office Appointment Papers, 1849 - 1907 File Unit: Andrews, Christopher C. - Minnesota - Commissioner - Commission Pertaining to Chippewa Indians Matters National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Griswold & White Photographers (Firm : Corinth, Miss.),. Brigadier General C.C. Andrews [graphic] / Griswold & White Photographers [photographer]. Arkansas History Commission
referencedIn Wheeler, Rush Benjamin, 1844-1930. Rush B. Wheeler and family papers, 1871-1978. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Photographic Portrait File The Huntington Library
contributorOf Record Group 48: Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior, 1826 - 2009 Series: Central Office Appointment Papers, 1849 - 1907 File Unit: Andrews, Christopher C. - Minnesota - Superintendent of the Tenth Decennial Census - [Document is his Official Oath of Office. The records in this box are unarranged.] National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Bowler, James Madison, 1838?-1916. James M. Bowler and family papers, 1827-1976. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Andrews, C. C. (Christopher Columbus), 1829-1922. Letter, 1870 May 25. Newberry Library
referencedIn General Frederick Steele Papers, 1845-1965 (inclusive), 1862-1868 (bulk) Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Andrews, Alice E. (Alice Ebba), 1869-1961. person
associatedWith Andrews family. family
associatedWith Badeau, Adam, 1831-1895. person
associatedWith Bowler, James Madison, 1838?-1916. person
associatedWith Castle, Henry A. (Henry Anson), 1841-1916. person
associatedWith Conkling, Roscoe, 1829-1888. person
associatedWith Cooke, Jay, 1821-1905. person
associatedWith Dana, Richard Henry, 1815-1882. person
associatedWith Davis, Cushman Kellogg, 1838-1900. person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
associatedWith Donnelly, Ignatius, 1831-1901. person
associatedWith Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Fish, Hamilton, 1808-1893. person
associatedWith Folwell, William Watts, 1833-1929. person
associatedWith Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885. person
associatedWith Griswold & White Photographers (Firm : Corinth, Miss.), corporateBody
associatedWith Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901. person
associatedWith Herrell, A. B., photographer. person
associatedWith Hoxsie, F. L., photographer. person
associatedWith King, Horatio C. (Horatio Collins), 1837-1918. person
associatedWith Lochren, William, 1832-1912. person
associatedWith Lockwood, Philip Case, 1844-1897 person
associatedWith Lowry, Sylvanus B., d. 1865. person
associatedWith Marshall, William Rainey, 1825-1896. person
associatedWith Mattson, Hans, 1832-1893. person
associatedWith Minnesota. Governor. corporateBody
associatedWith Minnesota. Joint Efficiency and Economy Commission. corporateBody
memberOf Minnesota. Legislature. Senate corporateBody
associatedWith Minnesota Soldiers Home (Minneapolis, Minn.). corporateBody
associatedWith Minnesota State Forestry Board. corporateBody
associatedWith Minnesota-Vicksburg Monument Commission. corporateBody
associatedWith Nelson, Knute, 1843-1923. person
associatedWith Newberry Library. corporateBody
correspondedWith Parker, Ely Samuel, 1828-1895 person
associatedWith Ramsey, Alexander, 1815-1903. person
associatedWith Republican Party (Minn.) corporateBody
associatedWith Sanborn, John B. (John Benjamin), 1826-1904. person
associatedWith Sherman, John, 1823-1900. person
associatedWith Steele, Frederick, 1819-1868 person
associatedWith Steele, Frederick, 1819-1868. person
correspondedWith Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874 person
leaderOf Third Infantry Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Association. corporateBody
associatedWith Trenerry, Walter Northey, 1917-. person
memberOf United States Department of State corporateBody
employeeOf United States. Department of the Treasury corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Office of Indian Affairs. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Secretary of State. corporateBody
associatedWith Waite, Henry Chester, 1830-1912. person
correspondedWith Washburne, E. B. (Elihu Benjamin), 1816-1887 person
associatedWith Washburn, William D. (William Drew), 1831-1912. person
associatedWith Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852. person
associatedWith Wheeler, Rush Benjamin, 1844-1930. person
associatedWith Willius, Ferdinand, 1830-1916. person
associatedWith Windom, William, 1827-1891. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Tennessee TN US
Saint Paul MN US
Federative Republic of Brazil 00 BR
Newton MA US
Kingdom of Norway 00 NO
Kingdom of Sweden 00 SE
Boston MA US
Hillsborough NH US
Little Rock AR US
Houston TX US
Cambridge MA US
District of Columbia DC US
Alabama AL US
Vicksburg MS US
Saint Cloud MN US
Subject
Agriculture
Banking law
Civil War, 1861-1865
Diplomatic and consular service
Foreign ministers
Forests and forestry
Forests and forestry
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Manuscripts, American
Military pensions
Prisoner of war
Reconstruction
Transportation
Vicksburg Campaign, 1863
Occupation
Ambassadors
Authors
Civil servants
Lawyers
Politicians
Soldiers
Activity

Person

Birth 1829-10-27

Death 1922-09-21

Male

Americans

English

Information

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SNAC ID: 84554891