Dr. A. D. Andrews is lying dangerously ill with spinal meningitis. River Falls Journal 7-16-1885

DIED ANDREWS- At his home in the city of River Falls, of cerebral meningitis, Abraham D. Andrews aged 54 years and 10 months.
- The death of Doctor Andrews brings sorrow to the entire community in which for many years he has been an important factor. After a short, but very painful illness, lasting only two weeks, death has removed him from the activities of life, and not only will the place which once knew him know him no more forever, but the place of trust, of business and of helpfulness will not soon be filled by any who shall administer them with greater fidelity than did Dr. Andrews.
Mr. Andrews was born in Lovell, Oxford county, Maine, Sept 21 1830 being one of a large family, many of whom survive him. He received an academic education in his native state, and after leaving school emigrated to Illinois, and later to Wisconsin, settling at Hudson in 1856 where he lived for two years, removing River Falls in 1858. During these years with the determination and application which were characteristic of the man, he studied medicine in addition to doing a man's work at whatever employment offered, earning and saving money enough to carry him through the Chicago Medical College from which he was graduated with honor in March, 1860. At the breaking out of the rebellion he was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers with which he served from November 1861 to January 1864 when disease contracted in the swamps of the Virginia peninsula necessitated his resignation. He was with the Old Iron Brigade in all its battles up to and including Gettysburg. There is little doubt that the disease which sent him home from the front was the ultimate cause of his death as he has never been entirely free from its effects during all the years which have elapsed since the war.
After his return from the front the Doctor resumed his practice of his profession in which he took high rank, gaining the entire confidence of the community in which he labored.
In 1868 he became associated with C. B. Cox in the milling business, in the Prairie Mill eventually selling that interest and in company with George Fortune improving the Junction Mills until it became the leading business interest of our city, turning out, before the firm of A. D. Andrews and Co. sold it over eight thousand barrels of flour per year.
Always an active and earned Republican, the Doctor has for many years taken a leading part in the politics of Pierce county, serving as supervisor in 1868 and 1869 and representing the 30th district in the state senate in 1879-80.
In 1877 he was appointed a member of the Board of Regents of Normal Schools by Governor Ludington and has since been twice reappointed by Governors Smith and Rusk, and was a member of the Board at the time of his death.
At the organization of the City of River Falls, in April last, he was chosen unanimously as Mayor, in which office his organizing talent and his devotion to the welfare and best interests of the city, have rendered his services invaluable to his fellow citizens and his death has left a void not easily filled.
Mr. Andrews' business interests are extensive and widespread. He was at the time of his death, principal partner in the extensive lumbering and milling interests at Perley, on the North Wisconsin Railway. He was engaged in mercantile business at Warren and at Angus Minn., and at the latter place was running a farm of eight hundred acres. He was also interested in a Montana Cattle ranch, being president of the association.
The Doctor's motto was that what was worth doing at all was worth doing at the best, and so in his profession, in his mill, in politics, upon the Board of Regents of Normal schools, in whatever business he was engaged he put his entire personality,and mental and physical equipment, into the work in hand and made a success of all.
In private life he was social and entertaining. He was a friend to those he made his friends and many when he has helped over tough places in life will add their tears and prayers to the burden of grief which follows his too early death.
In the Doctor's home life there was much happiness mingled with much sorrow. He was united in marriage to Miss Ellen E. Cox, oldest daughter of Hon. C. B. Cox June 11th, 1861. Mrs. Andrews died July 29th 1868, childless. On Dec. 30th 1872 He was married to Miss Elizabeth Ellis who bore him two children Mabel and Amy. Mabel died August 24, 1874. Mrs. Andrews died Feb'y 20,1876 at Jacksonville Fla., after a lingering illness. Amy is the only surviving member of his immediate family, now aged 14 years.
River Falls Journal 7-30-1885

Abraham, a surgeon was part of the "Field and Staff". He was first commissioned on October 24, 1861, as a 2nd Assistant Surgeon. On October 13, 1862, he was promoted to 1st Assistant Surgeon. (Commission Certificate and personal papers of A D Andrews -River Falls Area Research Center & University Archives, University of Wisconsin River Falls)

A. D. Andrews, M. D., was born in Maine, September 21, 1830. He graduated at the Chicago Medical College in 1861, and the following year was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Sixth Wisconsin Infantry of the famous Iron Brigade, with which he served up to the battle of Gettysburg. After retiring from the army he came to River Falls and engaged in milling, which he continued successfully until he retired in 1880. In 1878 he was elected state senator. He was appointed a regent of the Fourth State Normal School in 1877. He was serving as mayor of River Falls at the time of his death, July 23, 1885. (History of the Saint Croix Valley, Volume 1
By Augustus B. Easton 1909)