Christopher Columbus Andrews served in the Minnesota State Senate before enlisting in the Union Army. While he was a captain of the Third Minnesota, he was captured by Confederates in Tennessee and held prisoner for several months. After the war, he acted as U.S. Minister to Sweden and Norway, and U.S. Consul-General to Brazil. In the late 19th century, he made great efforts to promote responsible logging, especially after the Hinckley Fire raged in 1894. He was appointed state Forestry Commissioner and helped implement new forestry safety policies.