USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > The history of the Masonic fund society for the county of Allegheny from the year 1847 to 1923; with biographical sketches of deceased members of the Board of trustees By Hiram Schock. > Part 30
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
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Consistory as the personal delegate and representative of Most Ill. Anthony E. Stocker, M. D., 33º, Deputy of the Supreme Council of Pennsylvania. Brother Baer was the first R. E. Grand Commander to die in office-the first called upon in Pennsylvania to put off his armor while in command.
WILLIAM J. ANDERSON
Brother William J. Anderson, a prominent iron manufac- turer of Pittsburgh, became a member of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society at a special stock- holders meeting held July 5, 1860, and succeeded Brother James W. Hailman, who had died a short time previously. Brother Anderson was regularly reelected each year until his death in 1875, a period of fifteen years. He was gener- ally known as Col. Anderson and it was said of him that "he was raised in the iron business," his father, John Anderson, having conducted a foundry in Pittsburgh at Water and Ross streets for many years. When the son became of age, he entered the business with his father, the firm being styled John Anderson & Son. After his parent's death the firm was known as Anderson & Phillips, the latter being Brother Ormsby Phillips, who was elected mayor of Alle- gheny city in 1875, the year in which Col. Anderson died. When Mr. Phillips retired from the firm his place was taken by Henry Freyvogal, the business being then conducted under the title of W. J. Anderson & Co. Two years before his death Brother Anderson bought the foundry of S. S. Fowler & Co., on Water street, and the firm dissolving, Col. Anderson continued to own and conduct this foundry until his death. He was also vice president of the Pittsburgh Dollar Savings bank.
He was a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 221, and was its W. M. in 1855. In 1858 he was elected treasurer of that lodge and served in that office 12 years. He became a mem- ber of Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162, May 6, 1851, and was knighted in Pittsburgh Commandery, No. 1, June 13, 1859.
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He died suddenly from apoplexy March 27, 1875. He was highly respected by his Masonic brethren and the com- munity in general. The Pittsburgh "Gazette," in its notice of his death, had the following :
The deceased was a man who was well known in commercial and social circles and was ranked among our best and most successful business men, and was held in high esteem in the business world and was loved by all those who knew him best in social life.
Brothers George Glass and Alexander M. Pollock were designated by the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society to prepare memorial resolutions, in which they pay this tribute:
Resolved, that in the death of William J. Anderson this Board has lost one of its most useful and honorable members; and we, as individuals, a cherished friend and warm hearted brother.
Resolved, that we openly acknowledge and cordially desire to perpetuate his genial qualities and goodness of heart.
ARTHUR BENJAMIN WIGLEY, 33º
Brother Arthur Benjamin Wigley, who became a mem- ber of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society January 1, 1894, was for a number of years active and con- spicuous in Masonic circles in Pittsburgh. He served as a trustee through a period of five years and was president of the Board for three years, during 1896-7-8. He was born in Dudley England, December 30, 1848, and early in life went to Canada, and later came to the United States. Loca- ting in Pittsburgh, he became there the representative of R. G. Dunn & Co. He was a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 219, and having been knighted in a Templar Command- ery in Kentucky, was admitted to Pittsburgh Commandery, No. 1, July 8, 1879. In 1899 he became Eminent Com- mander of that Body. He received the Scottish Rite degrees in March, 1885 and during the years 1894-5-6 was T. P. Master of Gourgas Lodge of Perfection.
He died in Pittsburgh March 16, 1910, highly respected as a citizen and a Mason.
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ANDREW D. ARMSTRONG
Brother Andrew D. Armstrong was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society for thirteen years, having been first elected by the stockholders at a meeting held December 27, 1902. At the annual organiza- tion of the Board for the year 1903 he was chosen secretary, and filled that office during the period of his membership on the Board. He was born in old Allegheny City in 1838 and died at his home in Bellevue, a suburb of Pittsburgh, May 25, 1916. He served in the Civil war, on the side of the North, in Company G, of the 123rd Pennsylvania regiment. For a number of years he was chief clerk in the Department of Public Works in the old city of Allegheny, and at the time of his death was superintendent of the transcribing room in the Recorder of Deed's office in Allegheny county.
He was a member and past master of Milnor Lodge, No. 287, and was a charter member of Ascalon Commandery, No. 59, K. T., and became a member of Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162, April 6, 1880.
WILLIAM BOYER LUPTON, 32°
Brother William Boyer Lupton, a member of Milnor Lodge, No. 287, was one of the Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society for a period of nine years. He was elected at a stockholders' meeting December 27, 1895. At the close of the year 1896 he was chosen treasurer by the Board of Trus- tees and held that office for four years. In 1900 he was elected President of the Board and held that position at the time of his death.
Brother Lupton was born in Baltimore, Md., March 20, 1833, and at the age of 19 went with his father to Califor- nia. In 1861 he made his home in Pittsburgh, and estab- lished the firm of Lupton, Olden & Co., engaged in the gravel roofing business. In 1866 he formed in the same business a partnership with the late Phillip Le-Gouillon,
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under the firm name of William Lupton & Co., continuing therein until his death.
He was made a Mason in Milnor Lodge, No. 287, April 15, 1862, and in 1873 was W. M. He served as representa- tive to the Grand Lodge for several years and in 1895 was treasurer of his lodge. He was a member of Tancred Com- mandery, No. 48, K. T., and received the Scottish Rite de- grees in June, 1873. He became a member of Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162, October 19, 1865. Brother Lupton, who was a man of high character and had hosts of friends, died Thursday, February 4, 1904, and was laid to rest with Ma- sonic services, conducted by his lodge.
WILLIAM P. THOMPSON
While one of the least conspicuous of the long list of brethren who have served on the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society, Brother William P. Thompson was nevertheless one of its most efficient and zealous members, During the nine consecutive years that he acted as a Trus- tee he took a great helpful interest in Masonic work and was held in high esteem both as a citizen and as a member of the Craft. He was for many years and up until his death a member of the firm of Albree & Co., shoe dealers, and was for forty years a shoe merchant on Wood street, Pittsburgh.
He was a member of St. John's lodge, No. 219, and was first elected a Trustee of the Masonic Fund Society December 27, 1877, and was regularly re-elected, serving until July 13, 1882, the date of his death. He was W. M. of St. John's Lodge in 1860, almost twenty years after he had joined that body. He was knighted in Pittsburgh Com- mandery, No. 1, September 1, 1852, and took a great interest in Templar Masonry, being chosen Eminent Commander of Pittsburgh Commandery, No. 1, for the years 1858 and 1859. He joined Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162, October 13, 1847, and was its treasurer from 1878 to 1881, inclusive.
He died at his residence, No. 16 Fourth avenue, Pitts- burgh, July 13, 1882, at the age of 60 years.
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ALBERT CULBERTSON
Brother Albert Culbertson was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society by the stock- holders at a meeting held December 27, 1855 and served through the years 1856-57. He was chosen treasurer of the Society December 29, 1856, and served until October 13, 1857, when he was succeeded by Brother John Birmingham, who was succeeded by Brother James W. Hailman January 4, 1858. Brother Culbertson, who was engaged in the wholesale grocery business, was a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 221, and joined Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162, October 1, 1850. He was knighted in Pittsburgh Com- mandery, No. 1, K. T., April 2, 1851, and in that Body reached the office of Generalissimo.
HARRY MILTON LANDIS, 32°
The following appreciative sketch of the useful life of Brother Harry Milton Landis, who died December 7, 1916, was embodied in the memorial resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees at a meeting held January 2, 1917:
The family from whom Brother Landis descended were natives of Switzerland, and emigrated to America in 1683, settling in Chester county, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Hiram Landis and was born March 23, 1864, in Allegheny when it was still a separate municipality. He attended the public schools and at the age of 16 years became messenger for the Tradesmens' National Bank of Pittsburgh, where he advanced to the position of receiving teller, then to assistant cashier and finally was made cashier, and on the merger of that bank with the Columbia National bank he was retained as cashier. Upon the formation of the Federal National Bank in Pittsburgh he was made its first cashier and later was appointed vice president. When the Federal National Bank was merged with the Mellon National Bank,
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Brother Landis retired from banking activities. In 1914 Mayor Joseph G. Armstrong of Pittsburgh appointed him city treasurer, which position he held at the time of his death.
He was made a Mason in St. John's Lodge, No. 219, December 21, 1894, and served that lodge as W. M. in 1902. He was exalted to the Supreme Degree of Royal Arch Mason in Shiloh Chapter, No. 257, October 18, 1905, and was knighted in Pittsburgh Commandery, No. 1, K. T., February 23, 1906. He received the Scottish Rite degrees in Novem- ber, 1898, and served that Body as T. P. M. from May 1, 1913 to May 7, 1914. He was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society August 19, 1901, and served continuously until his death. As chair- man of the House Committee of that Board he was active in furthering the interests of the Society and as its treas- urer, the funds were carefully, prudently and honestly handled. He was an active member of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, serving as its treasurer for a num- ber of years. He was also a member of the Duquesne Club of Pittsburgh and of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and treasurer of that organization.
The life and work of Brother Landis make a living example of an honorable social, civic and Masonic career. Kind by natural instinct, courteous by nature, upright and honorable in all his dealings, faithful to every trust, he lived to be kindly remembered and died sincerely regretted.
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