Guide to the Andrew T. Fenrich Papers and Photographs c1943-c1980
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Andrew T. Fenrich Papers and Photographs
- Creator
- Fenrich, Andrew T.
- Collection Number
- MSS 0767
- Extent
- 2.50 linear feet (4 boxes + O/S)
- Date
- c1943-c1980
- Abstract
- Born February 20, 1914, in Pittsburgh, Pa., Andrew T. Fenrich served nine terms as a Pennsylvania state representative of the North Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh from 1949 to 1974. A prominent member of Pittsburgh's Democratic Party, Fenrich also worked as a public relations and patronage secretary for former mayor David Lawrence. The Andrew T. Fenrich Papers and Photographs are primarily comprised of materials relating to Fenrich's career in Pennsylvania state politics. Beyond materials relating to his political career, this collection also contains papers and photographs relating to Fenrich's naval service throughout World War II.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Andrew T. "Huck" Fenrich was born February 20, 1914, in Pittsburgh, Pa. to George and Elizabeth (Schuber) Fenrich. After graduating from Allegheny High School, Fenrich began work at the Pittsburgh Corrugated Paper Box Company as a salesman. While employed at this company, Fenrich aided in the 1936 organization of a local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite, and Paper Mill Workers, and served as the chapter's first president. While working at the Pittsburgh Corrugated Paper Box Company, Fenrich married Mary Fenrich. Together the two had three daughters, Arlene, Phyllis, and Sandra. Their youngest daughter, Sandra, would marry Walter Ostry, a prison guard from the Troy Hill neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pa.
On August 17, 1943, Fenrich enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve. Shortly after enlistment, he was sent to Camp Sampson in New York for training. Following a brief stay at Camp Sampson, Fenrich was transferred to the Hospital Corps School located in Portsmouth, Va. Here he trained as a hospital apprentice and pharmacist mate. After continuing his medical training in Corpus Christi, Texas, Fenrich was assigned to serve on an aircraft carrier, the USS Prince William, in February 1944. During his service aboard the USS Prince William, Fenrich achieved the rank of hospital apprentice first class and pharmacist mate third class. The mission of the USS Prince William was to ferry aircraft to the air arm of the Pacific Fleet, and to deliver troops and supplies to forward areas and islands necessary for the "island hopping" campaign in the Pacific. Fenrich returned home from naval service on November 15, 1945, and was officially discharged from the military five days later. He was awarded the Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal for his service.
After his discharge from the military, Fenrich returned to his position at the Pittsburgh Corrugated Paper Box Company. In 1949 however, Fenrich was approached by David Lawrence, then mayor of Pittsburgh, and was encouraged to contend for a vacant position as a state assemblyman. That same year, Fenrich was elected to the state legislature, representing a district encompassing nearly all of Pittsburgh's North Side. During the campaign, Fenrich's prior involvement with union organizing galvanized the support of union members throughout Allegheny County. Central to his political agenda was advocating for the rights and benefits of World War II veterans.
After two terms in the state legislature, Fenrich took a position as secretary of public relations to Mayor David Lawrence in 1954. In this position, Fenrich cultivated a friendship with the mayor while mediating interactions between Lawrence and the media.
After Mayor Lawrence was elected governor of Pennsylvania in 1958, Fenrich ran once again for a position in the Pennsylvania assembly. Fenrich succeeded, serving seven consecutive terms until his retirement in 1974. During his time in Harrisburg, Fenrich served as chair of the House Committee on Labor Relations and the executive secretary of for the Allegheny County Democratic organization.
There exists today a Huck Fenrich Memorial Park in theTroy Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Scope and Content Notes
The Andrew T. Fenrich Papers and Photographs are housed in four boxes and are primarily comprised of materials relating to Fenrich's career in Pennsylvania state politics. Beyond materials relating to his political career, this collection also contains papers and photographs relating to Fenrich's naval service throughout World War II. In addition, this collection also includes materials relating to the Fenrich family and the family of Walter Ostry, son-in-law of Andrew T. Fenrich.
Boxes one and two contain materials that pertain to Fenrich's political career from the early 1950s to the mid 1970s. Correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, a scrapbook, pamphlets and other campaign ephemera document Fenrich's time as both a state representative and a secretary to former mayor David Lawrence. Box one contains a scrapbook of Fenrich's political career as well as photocopies of feature newspaper articles written by Fenrich to his constituents. Box two consists of photographs, newspaper clippings, and correspondece that pertains to Fenrich's time as a state legislator and Mayor Lawerance's public relations and patronage secretary. In addition, this box also includes Mayor' Lawrence's day books from 1941 to 1942.
Box three consists primarily of photographs related to the Fenrich family and the family of Walter Ostry, son-in-law of Andrew T. Fenrich. Among the individual family members featured in these images is Anna Jessop Ostry, mother of Walter Ostry. In addition, this box also contains images of the Troy Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Box four is comprised of papers and photographs relating to Fenrich's naval service from 1943 to 1945. Formal correspondence, newspaper clippings, a scrapbook, photographs, and assorted military papers document Fenrich's military career as a hospital apprentice and pharmacist mate aboard the USS Prince William. In particular, the scrapbook in this box proffers a detailed pictorial and written account of Fenrich's military service throughout World War II.
The oversize portion of this collection includes a campaign poster, photographs of parades, and certificates from the state commemorating his successful re-election as a state representative in 1953, 1964 and 1969. In addition, there is a photograph of David Lawrence, Fenrich family portraits, and a photograph of Pittsburgh Corrugated Paper Company employees in 1938.
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gifts from Walter Ostry in 1995, 2006, 2007 and 2009.
Archives accession #'s 1995.0272, 2006.0277, 2007.0003, 2007.0009, and 2009.0020
Preferred Citation
Andrew T. Fenrich Papers and Photographs, c1943-c1980, MSS 0767, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by Sierra Green on 05/14/2012.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Separated Materials
Museum division is in possession of objects related to Fenrich's service in World War II, including his military uniform, patches and armbands. In addition, the oversize portion of this collection has been stored separately due to its size.
Subjects
- Lawrence, David (1889-1966)
- Troy Hill (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Pittsburgh (Pa.)--Politics and Government
- World War, 1939-1945-- Pacific Area
- Politics and State Government-- Pennsylvania