Anna Mary (Waldhart) Andres was born March 5, 1879, in Bergenz, Switzerland to Joseph and Anna Waldhart and came to Colorado at the age of three. She married Matthew Andres in Central City, Colorado, on July 26, 1898. Their son Joseph was born in 1900 and daughter Alice in 1901, while they lived in Colorado.
They moved to Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona Territory, in 1902 and purchased a home at 118 W. Carleton Street a year later. Matt started the Andres Cigar Store on Alarcon Street before moving the factory to 118 S. Montezuma Street -- at the corner of S. Montezuma and Carleton Street. On August 18, 1902 daughter Emma was born and son Edward was born in 1907 in Prescott. Matt sold the cigar manufacturing business to his brother-in-law Max Waldhart in May 1908, and the family moved to Donley County, Texas where they rented a farm. Son Arthur was born in 1909 while they were in Texas. The family returned to Prescott in March 1911 where Matt resumed his cigar business. The Andres Cigar store was moved to 125 N. Cortez Street in 1918. When the children were old enough, they joined in making the cigars. In later years the factory produced around 7,000 to 8,000 cigars a month. Anna maintained the store following her husband's death in January 1953.
Anna played the autoharp at many community sings and for people who were ill in Prescott. She won first prize for her ginger cookies and second place for apple jelly at the Northern Arizona Fair in 1917, and in 1919 she won second place for canned peaches. Matt took great pleasure in her hobbies. She was a life member of the Monday Club. An article in the Phoenix Arizona Republic dated July 27, 1952, stated: “Local clubs, recognizing her ability with scrapbooks, have used her services. She has made scrapbooks for the Monday Club for 17 years; for the Catholic Daughters 13 years; and for the Prescott Garden club six years.”
A quilt she made, as well as many made by her daughter, Emma May Martha Andres, has been displayed at Sharlot Hall Museum. Emma is also represented in the Territorial Women’s Memorial Rose Garden. Sharlot Hall Archives has the Anna Andres Collection consisting of 10 scrapbooks, from 1939-1960, kept by Anna (Waldhart) Andres. The collection consists mostly of news clippings on current events, Prescott events, activities of Monday Club, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Prescott Garden Club, Business and Professional Woman’s Club, and daughter Emma and her quilts.
Anna died in January 23, 1963, and was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in the family plot next to her husband Matthew, son Joseph who died December 1923 and son Arthur who died in November 1955. Anna was survived by Emma and another daughter, Sister Anna Marcella of the Carondolet Order, and a son, Edward Andres.
Donor: Prescott Garden Club
Photo Location: RGC-MS-39, Box A, F-Andres, Anna (Waldhart)
Updated: 3/26/2015, D. Sue Kissel
