The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-08-15
From thursdays Daily.

z rom tnurSOdYS Oditys
A reunion of a family which is of
more than ordinary ability and fame,
is being held in Mankato and the
members are putting in full time
visiting and recalling events of days
past. The family is the Andrews
family, of which DR.. J. w. Andrews
and Mrs. A. d. Strong of this city
are members
Several members of the family have
established regulations for themselves
as singers; DR.. J. w. Andrews has
become known all over this part of
Minnesota for his skill as physician
and surgeon; Oliver Andrews, another
brother, is judge at Sisseton, S. D.,
The father and mother of the pres
ent members of the Andrews family
were Rev. and Mrs. John R. Andrews
who came from Illinois to st. Peter,
in 1865. Rev. Andrews preempted
claim in what was known as "The
Big Woods" and there the family
lived for some time. The present
members of the family are Will An
drews, George Andrews, Ed Andrews,
all of Medford, Ore, Judge Oliver
Andrews of Sisseton, S. D., DR.. ]. w.
Andrews of Mankato, Mrs. A. d..
Strong of Mankato, Mrs. Alice Parker
of New York and Mrs. Florence Clay
ton of St. Paul
All of the brothers and sisters will
no l1lri hn r
and Mrs. James Stevens, daughter
and son-in-law of Mr.. ard Mrs. Will
Andrews, will also attend the gather
ing. James Stevens is baritone
singer and will appear in the De-
Koven company's Robin Hood" next
season, starting from New York.
An Interesting History.
People all over this rart of Mime
sofa are especially interested in the
Andrews family because of their con-
nectiop with the Andrews Opera com
pany. This organization grew ont of
what vas call, The Andrews Fam
lily Ctnrert company ard toured all
of tie middle west AID south.
tn know that the Andrews family
first conceived or going into concert
work as a profession through the en-
CouragelnGnt OF Asa Hutchinson, tho
head Of the Hutchinson Concert com
pany which was so well known years
ago. Mr.. Hutchinson visited at the
Andrews farm near Lake Washing.
ton and heard the family sing. He at
once became enthusiastic over their
ability and persuaded them to take
up music seriously and as a profes
sion.
The older members of the family
organized the concert company and
toured Minnesota and the Dakotas
The organization took place in 1876
and concert work was done until the
early eighties when the opera com
pany was formed. The concerts were
usually given in churches and the
company once appeared in the old
Methodist church in Mankato., AS
the younger members were old enough
they were one by one taken into
the company until Will, George, Ed
Florence and Alice, of the brothers
and sisters were all members. Latel
some of the children were also mem
bers. Mrs. Ed Andrews, who was
Miss Katherine Lee of this city, was
also one of the company.
Introduction of Grand Opera.
The Andrews company and the
Emma Abbott Opera company were
the first organizations to attempt the
introduction of grand opera sung il
English by American singers in this
country. The dream of the Andrew:
| family was to establish higher class
opera in the English language. But
! it seemed that instead of the public
taking more interest in grand opera
the trend was toward light opera ant
musical comedies. Mr.. Ed Andrews
in talking to Free Press representa-
tive, said that it was that tendenc!
of the public which was really tht
cause of the family leaving the pro
fession. The public wanted a lighter
/ style of entertainment at that time
/ and the Andrews Opera company wa!
about twenty-five years ahead of it
time
The first opera they sang was /;
| translation of the French. opera
"Girofle" and it was first sung a
! st. Peter in the old court house hall
During the early years of their OPP
! crate career George and Ed Andrew!
| also managed the Mankato theatre
and at that time with Clement Schroe
der of this city and Captain E. F
| Barrett, who was then representa-
! tive of The ST. Paul Globe, and late
for many years publisher of The Ii
Sueur Sentinel. formed quartz
which was very popular organize
| ton.
| Fortunes and Misfortunes.
| During their years on the road thu
company had many misfortunes al
well as many more great successes
and they made themselves known t
thousands of people who now tel
their children of the Andrews Opera
company At one time the entire
equipment of the group of singer;
was burned in theatre in Peoria
ILL.,, and the company disbanded fol
the rest of the year. The famil.
then owned hotel at Waterville
and they went there and made new
costumes and accumulated equipment
for the work. The last season the
company played was seven years ago