JOHN HEWITT ANDRUS was born in Pennsylvania on October 7, 1869 to Seth and Emeline Andrus. The family moved to New York State in the 1890s. During the Spanish-American War John H. Andrus served with the Third new York Volunteer Infantry. After mustering out he reenlisted in the regular Army in May of 1899 and in time was posted to Havana, Cuba. While in Cuba John H. Andrus assisted Dr. Walter Reed in discovering the cause of yellow fever by voluntarily allowing himself to be infected with the disease in 1901. He undertook a long convalescence, and was discharged from the Army in 1902.

John Andrus' parents and siblings were living in Southport, New York when the Census was taken in 1900. After leaving the Army in 1902, John H. Andrus came to Camden, New Jersey. His parents brought the rest of the family to Camden by 1906. The City Directory or that year shows them at 337 Warren Avenue. The 1910 Census shows Seth Andrus had passed away. His  widowed, sons Chester, Tracy and Vernon, and sisters Ethel and Mary, at were then living at 812 Birch Street.

John H. Andrus married Anna Logue around 1905. Her father, David Logue, was a turmkey at the Camden County jail, and was promoted to warden the following year.. The 1906 City Directory shows John H. Andrus living at 722 Grant Street. A son, David L. Andrus, was born in Camden, New Jersey in 1906. The 1910 Census and the 1914 Directory has the John H. Andrus family living with with David Logue and family at 825 Penn Street. By the summer of 1918 they had moved to the next block, taking up residence at 925 Penn Street, which remained the family home into the 1930s.

John Andrus was involved in a number of patriotic organizations. In 1917, with America involved in World War I, John Andrus returned to service as an officer of the Camden Battalion of the Home Guard.

After America entered the war and the Eddystone plant was evidently destroyed by incendiaries with such terrible loss of life, the Government deemed it necessary that each community provide its own protection, so Home Guards were organized subject to the call of the mayor of the community in which these units were formed. When the organization call came hundreds of men volunteered, many of them as old as sixty-five years.

Camden set apart April 17, 19 17, as registration day. Sheriff Joshua C. Haines was chairman of the Home Guards Committee of the Public Safety Committee and perfected an organization for the registration. In Camden 2,040 men enrolled in the thirteen wards and several companies were organized. Gloucester City, Haddon Heights, Westmont and Haddonfield formed companies while Merchantville formed a battalion.

The companies drilled with broom sticks at first. Then riot clubs were secured. Merchantville and Haddon Heights furnished arms for their companies by popular
subscription. The guards sought recognition from the State and permission to drill in armories, which was granted about six months later. In the fall of 1917 the guards became known as the State Militia Reserve. They were not liable to duty outside of the community in which they were organized but could volunteer their services to the State in case of necessity.

In Camden, companies were organized in every ward in the city. In fact there were two companies in some wards, but the slowness of the State department in equipping the men
caused them to lose heart after they drilled on the hot streets with broom sticks during the summer of 1917, and the companies gradually dwindled away until there were but enough men to make up four full companies throughout the city.

When the State finally recognized the Home Guard units Camden organized a battalion. The Camden Battalion was formally recognized and accepted by the State on November 17, 19 17. The battalion was uniformed and equipped by the City of Camden. The first to command this body was Major Edward C. Austermuhl, who later resigned to enter the service of the Government. The board of officers then elected, and the Governor commissioned Captain John H. Andrus as major of the Camden Battalion.

Two hundred and seventy-seven officers and men comprised the command of Major Andrus with headquarters in the Third Regiment Armory. The battalion took part in each of the Liberty Loan campaigns and in the drives conducted by the Red Cross, Knights of Columbus, Young Men's Christian Association, et al. During the influenza epidemic an Emergency Hospital was established at the Armory of Battery "B," in charge of a committee from City Council. Unable to employ sufficient help, Mayor Ellis called on the State Militia Reserve. While the hospital was in service one hundred and ten men of the Battalion were on duty twelve hours each and performed every task assigned them most willingly. Aside from their hospital duties, men of the Battalion were at various times assigned to go to private homes to assist the nurses in restraining delirious patients.

On May 1, 1919, when anarchist and Bolshevist sympathizers had prepared a May Day celebration against organized government, Mayor Charles Ellis called two companies of the Battalion to Third Regiment Armory where they were held in reserve to aid the Police Department should the situation become alarming. Their services were not needed, however, during the day.

On September 17, 1919 Mayor ellis called upon Major Andrus and the Home Guard to provide security for the street car conductors and motormen after a highly unpopular zone fare system was introduced.

John H. Andrus worked for many years for the R.M. Hollingshed Corporation in Camden as a purchasing agent. This firm, which manufactured the Whiz line of automotive chemicals, may be best remembered for the disastrous fire that destroyed its factory at North 9th Street and Market Street in 1940.

In February od 1929 by an Act of Congress John H. Andrus was awarded the Walter Reed Medal for his work in fighting yellow fever.

Son David L. Andrus graduated from Camden High School in 1925 and went on to become a doctor, practicing in Camden for many years. In the 1930s Dr. Andrus set up residence and practice at 805 Cooper Street. John Hewitt Andrus moved from Penn Street to 805 Cooper Street during the 1930s. He died of heart disease in Philadelphia on May 1, 1942. 

John H. Andrus' younger brother, Chester J. Andrus, served for many years with the Camden Fire Department.