His father, Hermann,(1783–1849) was a merchant by trade, but worked at a number of professions. In 1816, he became the manager of a metal factory in Mannheim. Two years later, they moved to St.Petersburg, where his father wanted to set up a factory with money that his mother had received as an inheritance. It was here that Andreas took his first drawing lessons. The project failed and they returned to Rhine Province in 1823. Soon, his father had established a brewery in Düsseldorf, with an inn that was frequented by the local art community.Achenbach, Herm., Privater, Lambertus-Kirchplatz 232, In: Adreßbuch für den Regierungsbezirk Düsseldorf, 1842/1843, pg.20Achenbach, Hermann, Privater, Altstadt, (in den neuen Gebäuden.). In: Vollständiger Adreß-Kalender und Wohnungs-Anzeiger der Stadt Düsseldorf, 1844, pg.3
