07/20/2026
Here is some history of previous owners:
THE DAVIS FAMILY-FRANK and BLANCHE EBERT DAVIS, and daughters Jean and Nancy Davis
The Davis Family were the owners of the former Andersonburg Soldiers Orphan School - @ 5906 Shermans Valley Road-Loysville PA 17047 from 1922-2012. That’s nearly 100 years!
From Deed Records, we know that Blanche Ebert Davis (wife of Frank Davis) purchased the property for $ 2,500 in September of 1921 from W.S. Moose and Sarah J. Moose.
The info below was sent to me, Terra Brownback, the current owner of the same property now known as THE ANDERSONBURG PLACE
*** from Mark Flickinger*** (shared by Mark Flickinger—July 2026)
“ I grew up in Andersonburg. My grandfather was caretaker there. It was a summer home for the Davis's. I went on to study HVAC. Actually, installed a new furnace in there many many years ago. Long after Frank passed away. His daughters Jean and Nancy is who I worked for. My neighbor Bill Sheriff used to mow the golf course when it was there. Jean and Nancy were avid golfers too. The entire Davis family were very kindhearted people.
As for Frank and Blanche, I was very young when I met them, but I do remember them being very laid back and soft spoken. At least they were to me. LOL. I had always heard Frank was instrumental in the LaFrance product but never really researched it until recently. Glad I shared it with you.”
“FRANK DAVIS:
“Pittsburgh was a dirty city then, and this new product was a success. He eventually was the distributor of Lafrance in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. His business grew until he had several salesmen working for him. After 20 years, the company was sold to General Foods Corporation.
Mr. Davis became an officer of several small companies, officer of a building and loan company, Director of Wilkinsburg Pittsburgh National Bank, but always devoted a great deal of time to his church and church related institutions.
In coming to Wilkinsburg he expected to join the Reformed Church since the minister was a brother of his high school principal. However, the family visited several churches, and it was because of Frank and Lydia Boal Farren (Lydia Steel’s aunt and charter member of Second United Presbyterian Church) that they joined our church. Dr. Edgar said Mr. Davis was the best lay member he had ever known. Mr. Davis worked closely with all the ministers: Dr. McConnell, Dr. Gerstner and Dr. Young. Mr. Davis was Assistant Superintendent of the Sabbath School and Superintendent for 25 years, an Elder for 60 years and Clerk of Session always involved in all activities within the church.
He served on the Board of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary for 40 years, the United Presbyterian Board of American Missions, the Board of Knoxville College in Tennessee who awarded him an honorary degree and was President of the National Reform Association.
He was an avid golfer and first played on Pup’s Foot Golf Course in Edgewood which moved to Churchill and became Edgewood Country Club. He played until he was 90 and drove a car until he was 96, driving to church the last day he drove. He had excellent health and his first trip to the hospital was at age 96. He lived to be almost 99 and died August 6. 1978. “
Who out there have any photos or stories, or any further information, memories, etc. of the Davis Family?
Please share with us all to keep this history alive.
sure wish we had a photo to post with this!
