This branch of the family and its close relatives were very musical. Many were part of the "H. C. Fry Glass Co. Band" of Rochester, PA circa 1910-1916. There were many Shanor family bands, this was probably the most famous. The Fry Co. made "Fry Cut Glass". The band toured many parts of the Northeastern U.S. in the interests of the company at conventions and exhibitions. This band was called "Woodmen Of The World". Joe Shanor's dad and mom both worked at that company and that is where they met.

In the early 1900's, there were several Shanor family bands in PA.

The 1916 photo of the band shows these Shanor family members (the exact relation of all is not known, note that several are brothers of Alva Leonard Shanor (b. 1864):

Gover C. Shanor* *denotes Alva's brothers
Walter Darling
David L. Shanor*
Charles L. Shanor*
Harry Cable
Roy A. Shanor*
Charles I. White
C. Warren Shanor (nephew of Alva)
Lawrence Shanor
Ira C. Shanor*
William Darling
William Shanor*

1910 photo: A + indicates the person is in the 1916 band photo too:
Alva L. Shanor
William White
Roy A. Shanor+*
Ira Shanor+*
Charles White+
Walter Darling+
Grover C. Shanor+*
Lawrence Shanor+
David L. Shanor+*
William H. Shanor+*
Harry Cable+
William Darling+
Charles L. Shanor+*

1. Herbert Leyman SHANOR b. EST 1891.
2. Lawrence SHANOR b. EST 1893.
3. Howard SHANOR b. EST 1895.
4. Wilbur SHANOR

A. 1862 John enlisted in Company Y, 168th Regiment , PA Volunteers but hired someone else to serve the time.
1875 John farmed until his mother died. Soon thereafter, he moved to Oil Creek and engaged in the oil business.
1883 John returned to the farm. later he moved to Rochester, PA, where he ran a grocery, contracted stone and cement work.
1889-1905 John was the Street Commissioner in Rochester.

B. 1880 US census North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania, p 322:

M. John SHANOR Self M Male W 40 PA Farmer PA PA
Balida SHANOR Wife M Female W 39 PA Keeping House PA PA
Emma SHANOR Dau S Female W 20 PA At Home PA PA
Clara SHANOR Dau S Female W 17 PA At Home PA PA
Alvia SHANOR Son S Male W 16 PA At School PA PA
Charles SHANOR Son S Male W 14 PA At School PA PA
David SHANOR Son S Male W 9 PA At School PA PA
Estella SHANOR Dau S Female W 6 PA PA PA
Cyrus SHANOR Son S Male W 3 PA PA PA
W. Henry SHANOR Son S Male W 1 PA PA PA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Census Place North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania
Family History Library Film 1255097
NA Film Number T9-1097
Page Number 322C

1. Emma L. SHANOR b. 4 Apr 1860, Pennsylvania, probably North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 1950.
2. Mary SHANOR b. 12 Aug 1861, Of North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 1872.
3. Clara K. SHANOR b. 13 Nov 1862, Pennsylvania, probably North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 18 Nov 1939.
4. 1. Alva Leonard SHANOR b. 12 Apr 1864, Pennsylvania, probably North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 31 May 1934.
5. Charles L. SHANOR b. 4 Aug 1865, Pennsylvania, probably North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 24 May 1943.
6. John Marshall SHANOR, Jr b. 11 Mar 1868, Of North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 1872, Of North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania.
7. David Lee SHANOR b. 9 Oct 1870, Pennsylvania, probably North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 1952.
8. Amelia Belinda SHANOR b. 3 Apr 1872, Of North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 1877, Of North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania.
9. Tude Estella SHANOR b. 25 Oct 1873, Pennsylvania, probably North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. Aug 1947.
10. Bertha B. SHANOR b. 1875, Pennsylvania, probably North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 1876, Pennsylvania, probably North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania.
11. Ira Cyrus SHANOR b. 3 Jan 1877, Pennsylvania, probably North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 12 Sep 1949.
12. William Henry SHANOR b. 25 Jun 1878, Pennsylvania, probably North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 1959.
13. George SHANOR b. 1 Nov 1880, Of North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 1880, Of North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania.
14. Maud B. SHANOR b. 7 Apr 1882, Of North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania.
15. Grover C. SHANOR b. 10 May 1884, Of North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 1950.
16. Roy H. SHANER b. 15 Aug 1887, Of North Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania.

David Shanor was a wealthy farmer in New Sewickley, Beaver Co, Pa. David and Mary lived on the farm at Brush Creek. He ran a grinding mill and a distillery. Two of their children died as infants. When he died in 1856 he left a detailed will leaving substantial bequests to his children and to the heirs of his deceased son, Matthias.

SOURCES: POE30

30p8 Mary foster was born on the south side of the Ohio River. She was a first cousin of Stephen Collins Foster.

1. Elmina SHANOR b. 9 Dec 1826, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 16 Nov 1833, New Sewickley, Beaver Co., Pennsylvania; bur. 19 Nov 1833, Shaner Cem., New Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania.
2. Arvina SHANOR b. 6 Jun 1828, Brush Creek, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 17 Nov 1833, New Sewickley, Beaver Co., Pennsylvania; bur. 19 Nov 1833, Shaner Cem., New Sewickley, Beaver, Pennsylvania.
3. Adalina SHANOR b. 3 Feb 1830, Brush Creek, Beaver, Pennsylvania.
4. David SHANOR, Jr b. 10 Feb 1832, Brush Creek, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 18 Sep 1911.
5. Henry SHANOR b. 9 Feb 1834, Brush Creek, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 14 Jun 1900.
6. Ruth Anna SHANOR b. 25 Jan 1836, Brush Creek, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 6 Dec 1899, Petaluma, Sonoma, California.
7. George C. SHANER b. 5 Mar 1838, Brush Creek, Beaver, Pennsylvania.
8. 2. John Marshall Foster SHANOR b. 20 Feb 1840, Brush Creek, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 5 Nov 1918, Rochester, Beaver Co., Pennsylvania; bur. Irvins Cem., Rochester, Pennsylvania.
9. Stephen D. SHANOR b. 20 Nov 1842, Brush Creek, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 24 Sep 1881, Of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania.
10. Alva Leonard SHANOR b. 1 Apr 1844, Brush Creek, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 1911.
11. Emaline E. SHANOR b. 24 Mar 1846, Brush Creek, Beaver, Pennsylvania.

Matthias Shanor is also listed as German. People from the Alsace-Lorraine region are often listed as both French and German. Possibly from the Ehrstad, Baden, Germany area.

Matthias may have had more than one wife. Sophronia would have been over 50 to have had these younger children. It also means they would've gone several years without having kids when they were younger.

The land west of the Allegheny, and west and north of the Ohio, was considered Indian territory unit about 1795. East and South of these rivers was where Mathias and Sophronia Shaner raised their family. It is here on the East bank
of the Youghioghey river, where Shaner, PA is located in Westmoreland County. At one point in time they lived in Georgetown, PA, located South of the Ohio river near the Ohio State line.

After his discharge from the Army in the Revolutionary War, he remained in the 9th Virginia and was stationed at Frot Mc Intosh, where the Beaver River joins the Ohio and site of present day Beaver, PA. His "Tomahawk" claim of land was nearby. The 9th Virginia remained at Fort Mc Intosh until about 1783.

His pension application is dated around 1818, so he could not have died in 1807 like some claim.Death also listed as Feb 10, 1807, but isn't as his pension applicationl was dated around 1818.

May be closely related to the Ziegler family. Possibly from the Ehrstad, Baden, Germany area.[George Jacob Poe.FTW]


SOURCES: POE1-1-1,30,50-5,102
OTHER SOURCES: Census 1790 Venango Co., PA
Shanor History 1736-1941 by Paul Shanor
Bansman History VI-2
DAR Record; National Archives RW#S80422
DAR Membership Nat 289726
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LCW Shanor spelled Shaner at times. I'll use Shanor.
HBG 1729 Lancaster Co. formed from Chester Co., an original Co.
50-5 1736 Matthias Shanor was born in Strassbourg, Alsace-Lorraine, France, of German parents.
Hoffman 1736 Matthias Shanor was born at Strassburg on the Rhine. He was a Huguenot.
1738 Another version of Matthias' DOB.
DAR 1740 Still another of Matthias' DOB - in PA - and he dies 1828, not 1807.
LCW Could this be Matthias, Jr.?
(1966 DAR Patriot Index, p605 - Application#289726)
HBG 1750 Cumberland Co., PA, was formed from Lancaster Co., PA.
1752 Northampton Co., PA, was formed from Bucks Co., an original county.
50-5 1753 Matthias Shanor, a member of the French Army in France, volunteered for duty in America. Matthias Shanor was then 17 years old. He was sent to Fort LeBouef which was located on French Creek, Erie Co., PA. It was Cumberland Co. at that time. Ft. LeBouef was under the command of M. de Jummenville.
Hoffman 1753 Matthias Shanor was drafted by the French army. He was age 17
(born abt. 1736). He arrived at Fort LeBouef, Erie Co., PA, the same year. Erie Co. was still Cumberland Co., PA.
1754 Encyclopedia - The French and Indian War began. It was closely related to the Seven Years War in Europe.
102 Matthias Shanor served at Fort Duquesne - soon to be Fort Pitt - under M. de Jummonville.
1755 09 Jul Encyclopedia - General Braddock, leading an army of British Regulars and Virginia militiamen against Fort Duquesne, the French stronghold on the forks of the Ohio River, was ambushed and General Braddock killed.
50-5 1755 After Braddock's defeat in the Battleof the Monongahela, Matthias remained in Beaver Co., PA, becoming one of its first settlers. (Beaver Co. was still Cumberland Co.)
It was here he first became acquaintd with the Indian fighters, Andrew and Adam Poe and Andrew Kenton of Georgetown. (Andrew came west 1762 and Adam about 1774.) The following year, 1756, he married Sophronia, "Fanny," Poe, sister of Andrew and Adam Poe. They settled in the vicinity of Georgetown and became parents of 5 sons and 2 daughters.

??? 1756 Stated that Matthias Shanor married Sophronia Poe, sister of Andrew and Adam Poe in Westmoreland Co., PA. (What was to be Westmoreland Co. in 1773.)
Hoffman 1756 Matthias and Sophronia were married in Cumberland Co., PA.
Matthias married Sophronia while a French soldier in the Ohio country, in what was to be later Beaver Co., PA. They settled in the vicinity of Georgetown, Beaver Co., PA, near the Ohio River. They had 3 daughters.

LCW Why was Sophronia so far from her family who were in MD?

42-4 1757 07 Dec Henry Shanor was born in Lehigh Co., PA. (In what was to become Lehigh Co. in 1812)
1758 25 Nov Encyclopedia - Fort Duquesne was abandoned and burned when the French learned General Forbes, with an army of about 6000 American militiamen, was about to attack.
1759 13 Sep Encyclopedia - Quebec was captured, practically ending the War.
1763 Encyclopedia - The Treaty of Paris divided French possessions in America between England and Spain.
HBG 1771 Bedford Co., PA, was formed from Cumberland Co., PA.
1773 Westmoreland Co., PA, was formed from Bedford Co., PA.
McIntosh 1773 He has Matthias and Sophronia marry in 1773.
1775 Matthias Shanor enlisted in the Revolutionary Army and first served as a PVT.
LCW I think Matthias Shanor, Sr., and Matthias Shanor, Jr., information is being mixed up.
30 1776 Has Matthias Shanor and Sophronia Poe marry in 1776.
1777 14 Jun Matthias Shanor was wounded in the Battle of Brandywine.
Hoffman 1777 Matthias Shanor was a SGT in COL Crawford's VA Regiment when the Revolutionary War began. He was in the battles of Ritchey's Bridge, Brandywine, and Germantown. He had a pension from age 88 to 92 - S40422.
1780 Matthias and Sophronia lived in Bedford Co. until 1780. Andrew, son of George Jacob Poe, also lived in Bedford Co. for some time after lelaving home about 1762.
HBG 1781 Washington Co. was formed from Westmoreland Co.
1783 Matthias Shanor was mustered out of the army.
102 Abt 1786 Matthias Shanor moved from Westmoreland Co. to Beaver Co., PA.
HBG 1788 Alegheny Co. was formed from Westmoreland and Washington Counties.
CE 1790 Mattthias Shanor had 5 sons and 2 daughters.
76-3 1800 McIntosh had Sophronia die before 1800.
30 1800 Matthias and David Shanor paid taxes on their land called "Brady's Run."
Matthias, Jr., Henry, George and David farmed this land and refined salt from it until their father's death in 1807.
Abt 1804 Fannie Poe died in Chippewa T., Beaver Co., PA.
30 1807 Matthias Shanor, Sr., died.
HBG 1812 Lehigh Co., PA, was formed from Northampton Co., PA.
102 1824 In his pension papers, Mattias Shanor claimed to have served under CPT James Sulivan for VA and COLs Crawford and Gibson for PA. His appearance at this date was said to be"upwards of 40."
1828 10 Feb Probate made of Matthias Shanor estate. Matthias Shanor died "near Pittsburg" bef. 10 Feb 1828.
42-4 1828 10 Feb DAR - Matthias Shanor born1740, not 1736, died 10 Feb 1828. This is the application that has Matthias Shanor, a SGT in the VA Regiment, marry Fannie Poe. No date given.
VR 1850 07 Feb Will of a Matthias Shanor was probated in Beaver Co., PA. Registered Docket, Book 1, page 272.
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Projects: Copy Shanor census entries for 1790 through 1850.
Order Pension S40422 after insuring these numbers are correct.
Order Matthias Shanor will, Book 1, p272.
.......................................................................... .......................................................................... .....................
MISCELLANEOUS
Hoffman A possible place of birth for Sophronia was Poe's Ferry, Frederick Co., MD.
Sophronia was probably the eldest child of Jacob Poe.
30p129&147 Source claims Sophronia was a sister of Andrew and Adam Poe.
??? One of the Revolutionary soldiers, not on previous lists, was Matthias Shanor who lived in the vicinity of Georgetown, PA, and who married Fanny Poe, sister of Andrew and Adam Poe, who later settled on the East Branch of Brady's Run in what is now Chippewa Township.
1904 This farm was owned by Squire Thomas Shanor.
42-4 In letter, 28nov 73, he claimed Andrew moved to Bedford Co and later persuaded Sophronia and Adam to join him. (Since Andrew didn't leave MD until 1762, this was quite a feat.)
42-8,76-3 1783 Both have this DOM for Fanny Poe and Matthias Shanor.

The confusion about his sons may come from the fact that he may have had at least 4 brothers (George, Adam, Henry, and John), at least 3 of whom he named his sons after. See the two Henry 'sons'

"Fanny" may have been from another branch of the family and raised with this nuclear family. Not all sources list her as a child of George Jacob Pfau and Catherine.
Birth year also listed as 1730.[George Jacob Poe.FTW]


SURCES: POE1-1-1,42-4,42-8,50-5,76-3,102

Sophronia (Poe) Shanor was said to be a sister of Andrew and Adam Poe but I have found no proof for the allegation. In his MONOCACY & CATOCTIN, Professor Schildknecht avers that she was their sister.

Place of marriage also listed as Georgetown, Beaver Co., PA; Westmorland, MD (although there is only a Westmoreland Hills in Maryland); and Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania

1. Henry SHANOR b. 7 Dec 1757, Lehigh Co., Pennsylvania; d. 1832.
2. Henry SHANOR b. 7 Dec 1775, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania; d. 1841, Morgan Twp., Gallia Co., Ohio; bur. 1841, Morgan Twp., Gallia Co., Ohio.
3. George SHANOR b. 1780.
4. 4. David SHANOR b. 22 Feb 1784, Georgetown, Beaver, Pennsylvania; d. 6 Sep 1856, New Sewickley Twp., Beaver Co., Pennsylvania; bur. 6 Sep 1856, Shanor Cem., Beaver, New Sewickley Twp., Pennsylvania.
5. Adam SHANOR b. 6 Oct 1785, Little, Youghiogheny, Maryland; d. 21 Jul 1853, Morgan, Ohio; bur. 23 Jul 1853, Carey-Lewis Cem., Homer Twp., Morgan Co., Ohio.
6. Matthias SHANOR, Jr b. 1786, Westmorland, Pennsylvania; d. Mar 1850, Rockland Twp., Venago Co., Pennsylvania.
7. Barbara SHANOR b. Abt 1787, , Westmorland, Pennsylvania; d. Apr 1848.
8. Catherine Martha SHANOR b. Abt 1789.