ANDREAS, Alfred Theodore

ANDREAS, Alfred Theodore. (Amity, NY, May 29, 1839--New Rochelle, NY, Feb. 10, 1900). Andreas lived in Dubuque from 1857 to 1860 before moving to Illinois. Following his discharge from service in the CIVIL WAR, he took advantage of the growing interest in the publication of maps and atlases by becoming a salesman for the firm of Thompson & Everts that published individual county maps, modified for county residents, and sold on subscription. Local subscribers received a map that included their name among the list of subscribers as well as being shown on the a small plat of the land they owned in the county. (1)

Based on his experience, Andreas believed similar profit could be made from statewide atlases. In 1871 the Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa was published with success. The atlas contained county maps, plat maps of 44 towns, over three hundred pages of pictorial subjects, biographical sketches, short state and county histories, the 1870 census, and a list of the atlas' patrons.

In 1872 he moved to Chicago where he compiled an historical atlas of Minnesota. It was reported that the edition filled 40 railroad cars when it was shipped. In 1884-1889 his company published a history of Chicago. A year before his death, he was exploring the possibilities of publishing histories in New York State. (2)

In his obituary published in the Davenport Weekly Republican, the paper took issue with the title of his obituary "Captain Alfred T. Andreas." The paper noted that his service in the Civic War was not that of captain but as a suttler (civilian provider for a military post) with the 12th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

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Source:

1. Bergman, Marvin; Horton, Loren; Hudson, David. The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City, 2008

2. Davenport Weekly Republican February 17, 1900, p. 2