ELISHA H. McANNICH, a well-known resident of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, who has been identified as puddler with the iron and steel industry for forty-five years, is of Scotch-Irish descent through his father, and of German through his mother.

Elisha H. McAnnich, third son and fourth child of Elisha H. and Martha (Clemens) McAnnich, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, September 9. 1841. He was educated in the public schools of that city, and evinced a strong inclination for study. He was apprenticed to learn the trade of puddling, and eventually became the most expert puddler in that section of the state, and was engaged in this occupation for the long period of forty-five years, during a part of which time he was foreman in the puddling department of the Sligo Steel & Iron Company. He was a most enthusiastic patriot at the outbreak of the Civil war, and at the age of nineteen enlisted for three months, April 15, 1861, in Company A, Seventh Regiment,- Pennsylvania Volunteers, and at the expiration of this time, August 5, 1861, he reenlisted on the same day in Company D, Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Alexander Hays, later General Hays. He was discharged August 1, 1864, and although he served in the army three years and three months, he lost not a single day through illness. He was with his regiment in the numerous battles in which it participated, and escaped unwounded. He was, however, a prisoner for three months in Belle Isle, then in Libby prison, from which he was paroled, and later rejoined his regiment. He was appointed contract labor inspector in 1892, by President Harrison, and held this office until Cleveland took the direction of affairs. He was appointed one of the registers of the Thirty-second ward in 1906, and has taken an active part in labor matters for forty years. He was a member of the first committee on the organization of the Amalgamated Iron and Steel Workers, in 1876, and was the first vice-president of that body, holding that office for one year. His influence has always been a potent factor in the councils of this body and he was a delegate to the national conventions of the society for thirteen successiveconventions, as a representative of the Iron City Lodge, No. 1, which was the alma mater of this association. He has served a number of times as a member of the committee appointed to meet the manufacturers and arbitrate the differences which arose between master and man, and always succeeded in bringing matters to a termination satisfactory to both sides.

In 1867 he was enrolled in the United Sons of Vulcan, the first society of iron workers in the United States, of which the present fire chief, Miles S. Humphries, was the president. The order consisted of puddlers only. At the national convention in 1875 he was made first deputy by President Joseph Bishop, and it was Mr. McAnnich that presented the resolution admitting the puddlers' helper to the union, thereby tripling the numerical strength of the order, and making possible the amalgamation of all iron trades. He represented the puddlers on the committee to draft constitution and by-laws for the Amalgamated Association of Iron and SteelWorkers of the United States, and was elected first vice-president of the new order, with forty-eight lodges under his care. On February 25, 1871, he organized the Pioneer Catholic Temperance Society in Pittsburg, St. Malachi's, of the South Side, and has rode the cold water wagon for thirty-seven years. He has been a diligent and intelligent reader and is well posted on all questions of the day. He has contributed very excellent articles of interest to the labor world, which have been published in the Labor Tribune and other labor organs. He and his wife are devout members of the Catholic church.

 Mr. McAnnich is endowed with great natural musical talent, which has been cultivated, and while in the army he served for a time as chief bugler. He was the leader of the Great Eastern Band of Allegheny. Pennsylvania, for five years, and has been at various times associated with bands and musicians of national reputation.

He married, January 5, 1865, Catherine Bracken, daughter of George Bracken. They have had no children of their own, hut their large hearts found nxim for six orphans, whom they adopted in the course of time. The first to be taken into their hearts and home were Michael, Frank and Ellsworth Lawlor, whom they reared to a useful manhood, Frank taking the name of his foster parents. They then adopted, atvarious times, Katie Forsyth, Margaret Craig and Adeline Gower, the father of the latter having been killed by tramps. Mr.'McAninch joined April 4, 1902, and is now serving his second term as commander of Post No. 155, Grand Army of the Republic.

Mr. McAnnich is a born caterer: his experience dates back into the early fifties, his birth-place the famous old stone tavern situated at the south end of the Smithfield street bridge, Pittsburg. In every city there are men whose sterling traits win for them the respect of the whole community. Mr. McAnnich is public-spirited and foremost in the advancement of any project which has the interests of the Smoky City at heart, and he well deserves the position he holds as general superintendent of the Columbus Club, Pittsburg.

A Century and a half of Pittsburg and Her People: Editor: John W Jordan, LLD Volume II - The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908 Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Pages 412-414

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ALANSON F. B. MORRIS, M. D., one of the well-known physicians and surgeons of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, who resides at No. 6901 Hamilton avenue, in that city, is a representative in the present generation of a family which settled in the state of Pennsylvania many years ago.

Rev. James R. Morris, father of Dr. Alanson F. B. Morris, was born in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. He received an excellent education and was a graduate of Waynesburg College. Later he pursued the study of theology and was ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian church. His first pastorate was at Cowansville, Pennsylvania, and in the course of a long life he made many friends among the various congregations to whom he ministered. He marrijed Martha Means, of Whitesville, and they were the parents of children: Alanson F. B., concerning whom see forward; John. T., Walter Reed, Lucy, married Wallace, of California; and Maud, married Regester.

Alanson F. B. Morris, M. D., son of Rev. James R. and Martha (Means) Morris, was born in Frostburg, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, November 23. 1868. His early education was acquired in the public schools and he then attended Waynesborg College, which conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He subsequently entered the medical department of the Western University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with honor. Shortly after graduation he decieled upon Homewood as his future place of residence, and established himself there as a general medical practitioner in 1897. His ability, careful study and investigation, and earnest work in his profession, have won for him a large and ever increasing circle of patients, the admiration and esteem of his colleagues in the medical profession, and the respect of the entire community.

He married, in 1896. Mary Carter, daughter of Henry Carter, of Pittsburg, and they have children: Mary R., born November 18, 1897; James R., born September 11, 1902.

A Century and a half of Pittsburg and Her People: Editor: John W Jordan, LLD Volume II - The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908 Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Pages 460-461

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ALFRED R. WOODS, of New Kensington, is the son of William P Woods, who was born in 1811, in the north of Scotland, whence he came in 1831 or '32 to the United States, settling in Center County, Pennsylvania. He was a shoemaker by trade, but after his emigration engaged in the lumber business and in farming. In 1861 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment. Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until 1864, when he received wounds which proved fatal. He was a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Woods married Mary, daughter of Andrew Vasbinder, and their children were : Oliver P., deceased ; .William A., assistant warden of insane criminal asylum, Ionia, Michigan ; Nancy A., deceased wife of William Covert ; Joseph V., deceased : John Â., harness manufacturer of Indiana ; Samuel M., also of Indiana ; and Alfred R., mentioned hereafter.

Alfred R. Woods, son of William P. and Mary (Vasbinder) Woods, was born November 14, 1857, near Brookville, Jefferson County, and received his education in the Soldiers' Orphan school, Dayton, Armstrong County, and at the Union Academy. At eighteen he went to learn the marble cutter's trade with J. S. Moore, of Brookville. where he remained sixteen years. He then entered into partnership with A. B. McLain, and together they established the marble and granite business in Brookville under the firm name of A. P. McLain & Company. At the end of three years they moved to New Kensington, being among the pioneers, and there successfully continued the business. Since the spring- of 1905 Mr. Woods' son, Robert A., has been sole proprietor. In politics Mr. Woods is a Republican. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Woods married Mary, daughter of John Hains, and their children are: Edna M., wife of John C. Sullivan; Robert A., successor to-his father's business ; Lillie E., graduate of Duff College, stenographer for D. J. Kennedy, of Pittsburg; Maud M., at home; Anna E., in telephone office, Pittsburg; James Â., at home; William M., at home; Jackson E., at home; and Dorothy, at home.

History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania: Editor:John W Jordan, LLD Volume. II. - New York, Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 189

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BENJAMIN C. SHAFFER, County commissioner for Westmoreland County, was born in Brookville, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, January I, 1867, a son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Wonderlinge) Shafter, and grandson of Isaac Shaffer, a native of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.

Solomon Shaffer (father) was born in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, 1822, received a common school education, and was a farmer by occupation, from which line of work he derived a comfortable livelihood. He gave his support to the candidates of the Republican party. His wife, Elizabeth (Wonderlinge) Shaffer, born in Easton, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Henry Wonderlinge, who came to this country from Switzerland, bore him thirteen children, eight of whom are living at the present time (1906). Solomon Shaffer died September 19, 1905, survived by his wife, who has attained the venerable age of eighty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Curch.  

Benjamin C. Shaffer was educated in the schools of Brookville, and after completing his studies removed to Jeannette. Westmoreland County, and engaged in the real estate business, continuing the same for two years. He then became one of the organizers of the now thriving town of New Kensington, and there followed the same line of business. He purchased the Gambrinus brewery, which he conducted for a number of years, and in 1905 sold to the trust. He is now ( 1906) engaged in various financial enterprises, from which he derives a goodly income. He has served as justice of the peace and mayor of New Kensington, and in 1905 was elected to the office of County commissioner for Westmoreland County on the Republican ticket. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Ê. Ð. and F. O. E. He is a man of strict integrity, careful, industrious, shrewd, and an agreeable companion and stands high in the esteem of his fellowmen. Mr. Shaffer married, November 20, 1889, Rena McQuiston, of Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, daughter of Nicholson and Margretta (Finley) McQuiston, the former having been one of the operators of the old canal on the Kiskiminetas. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer have two sons : Frank W. and Joseph M. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania: Editor:John W Jordan, LLD Volume. II. - New York, Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 402

Reformatted: 18 July 2022

Jefferson County portion of the PAGenWeb