Theodore Andrica was born in Radna, Romania, on August 9, 1900. Following graduation from the high school in Lipova, Andrica attended the Gymnasium in Arad. He graduated in 1920. For a short time he attended the medical school at the University of Cluj.
In 1921, Andrica arrived in the United States. He attended graduate school at Western Reserve University. In 1924, he began his journalistic career when he became a nationalities reporter for the Canton Daily News. Two years later, he was hired as the nationalities editor and reporter for The Cleveland Press. In this capacity, he wrote histories of the ethnic groups of Cleveland, Ohio and publicized nationality events. His frequent trips to Europe before and after the Second World War enriched his perspective on nationalities. During the war, he served as a war correspondent.
In 1950, Andrica helped establish the Cleveland Folk Arts Association. This organization consisted of representatives from the various nationalities of Cleveland. It sponsored a festival each year which featured ethnic singers and dancers. In 1955, Andrica published the first of a series of nationality directories. This comprehensive guide listed the churches, radio and television programs, newspapers and clubs of each nationality group in Cleveland.
click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Theodore Andrica