USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
By the construction of the Citizens' Title and Trust build- ing there has been added one of the most substantial and up- to-date business blocks of the town. The Citizens' Title and Trust Company and the People's Bank together occupying the western room and the immense dry goods and notion firm of Rosenbaum Brothers has occupied the entire balance of the building, which extends the full length of the lot.
On the dividing line between lots Nos. 45 and 46, stood a brick building in which Richard Barry kept a dry goods, cloth- ing and notion store as early as 1815. Mr. Barry had formerly been a merchant in Baltimore, and came to Uniontown with
11
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
his family and continued in business until 1827, when he re- tired, and his son, Robert L. Barry and his step-son, George W. Rutter, continued the business; later Mr. Rutter started first in business for himself on the old stock of Richard Barry. Mr. Barry died at the home of John Rutter, a step-son, Sep- tember 8, 1836, in his 71st year, having been born November 19, 1765. Mr. Barry was familiarly known as "Dad " Barry and was always very kind and pleasant to all.
George Rutter continued in business in this room for some time after the death of Mr. Barry, and he was succeeded by Jonathan Springer who lived and kept a drug store in this building for several years. L. B. Bowie, the well remembered druggist of this town, with Samuel B. Bushfield, a druggist of Greensburg, bought out the drug business of Mr. Springer in 1838, and in the latter part of that year Bushfield withdrew and Mr. Bowie continued in the drug business for many years at other locations in the town, as mentioned elsewhere.
Edward Thorn succeeded Mr. Bowie in this building with a grocery and notion store in the early forties, and he was succeeded by Ellis Baily with a jewelry store.
Ellis Baily bought this property from the heirs of Zadoc Springer, January 16, 1848, it being 24.5 feet of the western part of lot No. 45, and 16.5 feet of the eastern part of lot No. 46, making a frontage of 41 feet. Mr. Baily tore away the old building and erected on its site a two-story brick building con- taining two business rooms and a hall. Into this new building he moved his family and jewelry business in May, 1854, and here continued until he sold the property and retired from busi- ness, having been engaged in the jewelry business for 50 years. He was one of the best known business men of the town and community.
In the western room of Ellis Baily's new building were located the following business firms :
Dr. Andrew Patrick and Daniel Canon, Jr., as Patrick & Canon opened a drug store in this room. They displayed the sign of the " Mammoth Mortar " and a large picture of "The Good Samaritan." They kept a good store and did a thriv- ing business. Daniel Canon withdrew February 3, 1853, and William Canon took his place. Dr. Andrew Patrick married Malinda Ludington, daughter of Zalmon Ludington. The cele- brated singer, Jean Ludington of Pittsburgh, was their daughter.
118
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Daniel Canon married Ann Beggs, daughter of William D. Beggs of Wharton township April 13, 1852, and died after a protracted illness, May 26, 1854, in his 31st year.
Benjamin Paine followed Patrick and Canon in this room with a shoe store and workshop. He was here in 1858 and was succeeded in this room by John Hagan, Jr., with a ready-made clothing store in 1860.
Myers Holland removed from the Bryan building into this room April 1, 1861, and here conducted business until he returned to Baltimore. He was a very genial gentleman and had a host of friends.
Milt Schroyer did business here for a short time.
Samuel Prager purchased this property from Ellis Baily December 22, 1865, and carried on the ready-made clothing business in the western room until he conveyed it to George W. Litman, March 28, 1867, after which Jacob Fell and Julius Stern carried on the ready-made clothing business in the eastern room in 1870, and for some time thereafter. J. R. Millard opened a stove and tin store here about 1879, and he sold out to George H. Miller and William Farwell who continued the business for some time. John C. Fulton and O. P. Markle suc- ceeded Miller and Farwell in 1882, with a grocery store. They subsequently moved to the Tremont building.
John M. Hadden and James White occupied the western room in the seventies, where they carried on the merchant tailoring business for several years.
Mr. Litman added a third story to this property and con- verted it into a hotel, since which time it has been conducted as such under various proprietors and owners as the Hotel Lafayette.
Jonathan Downer purchased from Henry Beeson lot, No. 46, May 22, 1795, for 115 pounds Pennsylvania money. This lot had a frontage of 125 feet on Elbow or Main street and ex- tended to Pittsburgh street.
Several small frame buildings stood on the front of this lot; the most eastern of which stood next to the Ellis Baily building before described. Of the many tenants of this building may be mentioned Henry Rigden, elsewhere mentioned, with his jewelry store, then came William and Ellis Baily, brothers, with a jewelry store and repair shop, in 1836. They were fol- lowed by David Clark with a shoe shop. John McCuen and
119
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
D. M. Springer were here with their tailor shop in 1844, then came John A. Rooney & Co. with a boot and shoe store, in the white frame building opposite Isaac Beeson & Co., at the sign of the "Big Boot," in 1845. Then came Benjamin Kremer and Ed Sharp with a jewelry store, 1846-49. Next came John Carpenter with his tailoring establishment in 1849-52. While here Mr. Carpenter had 15 x 21 glass put in and advertised his place as "Carpenter's open front."
J. McDermott, another tailor, succeeded Carpenter in this room April, 1852.
Benjamin C. Paine and George W. Cameron formed a new boot and shoe firm and opened out in this room, April 1, 1853. Cameron retired in 1856 and Paine continued for some time and in 1859, he formed a partnership with Eleazer Robinson and moved into the Ellis Baily building.
Drs. Andrew Patrick and Horace Ludington had their physi- cians' office here in 1853.
John Kimberly was located here with a meat market in 1864, for a short time only.
John Thorndell purchased from Isaac Wood May 29, 1868, this property with a frontage of 20 feet, in which he had already established his boot and shoe shop. Mr. Thorndell carried on his business here until 1885 when he tore away the old building and erected the present two-story business building.
While Mr. Thorndell was located here he was the county chairman of the Democratic party and during the political cam- paigns Mr. Thorndell kept the American flag floating from a flag-staff projected from an upper window of his shop. In the fall election of 1880, the Democratic party was defeated and to play a practical joke on the party and Mr. Thorndell in particu- lar on the night of October 14, some one suspended a dead rooster to the end of the flag-staff which extended over the street. Mr. Thorndell concluded to let the rooster hang, and promptly suspended the following explanatory placard to it : " This chicken was stolen, murdered and hung here by the same party that stole the presidency in 1876." The Uniontown Democrat in com- menting on this incident made the following remark: "While the leaders of the Republican party are plundering the people at the national capitol, their subservients are robbing the hen roosts at home."
The second floor of this new Thorndell building was occu-
120
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
pied by the Uniontown News, which was established in 1885, and which remained here until it was consolidated with the Republican Standard in 1893.
The Uniontown Democrat was also published from these rooms during a part of its existence.
The business room on the first floor has been occupied by Isaac Silverman as a dry goods and notion store; Mr. Mart L. Reis and Springer Gaddis with merchant tailoring and gents' furnishing goods; Stern Brothers as clothiers; Barney Reistein with clothing and dry goods, and Harris Cohen with dry goods and notions.
Isaac Wood purchased from the Jonathan Downer estate 40 feet of the eastern part of lot No. 46 June 28, 1836, he having had possession of this property for some time before he pur- chased it. On the front of this lot stood three small buildings, two of which Mr. Wood occupied as a saddle and harness shop, the eastermost has already been described.
Mr. Wood associated with him his son, George H., in 1852, and retired from the firm in 1854. George H. then associated with him Robert Scott and the firm became Robert Scott & Co., and Wood soon withdrew and Scott continued a short time. E. O. Wood and George H. Wood formed a partnership in 1857, but George H. soon sold out to E. O. who continued but a short time when Everhart B. Wood established himself in the same business in 1859, and continued until 1867.
E. B. Wood tore away the old buildings that had been used as a saddler's shop for so many years and erected the two-story brick building that now occupies the lot.
M. Amburg was a tenant in this new building in 1873, with a clothing store. He was succeeded by Charles H. Rush and David J. Hopwood who purchased the property in 1879, and put their stock of dry goods in it. Mr. Rush continued here until 1884, at which time he sold to Thomas Hadden who continued in the dry goods business until 1889, when he sold the property to John T. Robinson and retired from the dry goods business. Mr. Robinson enlarged the room by extending the building back to Peter street. The Rosenbaum Brothers then conducted a dry goods business in this room for several years. Harris Cohen purchased the property, and after holding it a few years sold it to Mrs. Caroline Hackney, who after holding it a few years conveyed it back to Mr. Cohen in 1909.
121
History of Uniontoren, Pennsylvania.
The part of lot No. 46 west of the part sold to Isaac Wood was known as " Whitewash " Corner. Jonathan Downer erected on this corner a two-story frame building which he occupied for a while as a dwelling. Between this and the part sold to Isaac Wood, he erected a one-story frame building, with double glass doors and large windows which was intended for two small store rooms and in which several merchants did business.
Henry H. Beeson who was a son-in-law of Jonathan Downer, was in business in this corner at a very early day, as he advertised October 8, 1812, that he wanted all his book accounts settled.
Mr. Beeson served in the war of 1812, as mentioned else- where. .
James Kinkead & Co. succeeded H. H. Beeson here in 1817. They had some contracts in the construction of the Cumberland road and kept a store from which they supplied the wants of their workmen.
James McKean and James Gibson, as Mckean & Gibson were located here Nov. 1, 1825, with a new stock of hardware, groceries, dry goods, etc., which they agree to sell for cash or exchange for beeswax, whisky, rags, feathers, butter, pork, tal- low, wool, wheat, etc., which will be taken at cash prices. They also announce that they have just received a lot of artillerist's coat trimmings, plates, scales, pompons and wigs for military parades. Mr. Gibson lived up-stairs while he had his store below. Mr. McKean withdrew and Mr. Gibson continued here until 1832, at which time he moved to his new brick building on the opposite side of the street. ,
Dr. Benjamin Stevens owned and lived on what was later known as the Robert Gaddis farm in Franklin township, and had his office in " Whitewash " corner. Dr. Daniel Sturgeon was one of his pupils and resumed the practice of Dr. Stevens after the latter's death, which occurred January 3, 1813. Dr. Stevens was eminent in his profession and highly esteemed as a citizen.
Joseph Wylie and Eleazer Robinson carried on the tin and copper business here and the next room was occupied by Robinson and Frisbee as a stove and casting store for the sale of the products of Robinson's foundry. Joseph L. Wylie carried on the tinning business here for many years, and was favorably known in the community. These firms occupied " White- wash " corner about ten years. Joseph L. Wylie was elected
122
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
treasurer of Fayette county, October 11, 1853, which office he filled for two years. Mr. Wylie sold out his business to James S. Sturgis in 1854. Mr. Sturgis was associated with John A. Durbin and they occupied both rooms, in one of which they carried a stock of confections and toilet articles and in the other Mr. Sturgis carried on his tinning business for many years. They were here in 1854. W. B. McCormick & Co. succeeded Durbin in the same business, and these were succeeded by John McCune in 1855, with a tailoring shop, and he was succeeded by the office of the American Citizen, a "Know-Nothing " paper published by William H. Murphy and Jesse B. Ramsey in 1856. John P. Sturgis kept a small store here for a short time.
John Jones bought out the tinning business of James S. Sturgis in January, 1860, and carried on the business here until 1867.
John G. Stevens and Thomas Brownfield as a painting firm had their paint shop over Jones' tin shop for several years and were among the last occupants of old " Whitewash " corner.
Thomas D. Skiles purchased this property in 1867, for $2,300 and tore away the old buildings on the corner and erected thereon a three-story building with business rooms on the first floor and a large room known as Concert Hall on the second floor, and the third floor was devoted entirely to the Masonic fraternity.
The east room of this new building was occupied by George W. Rutter who moved his grocery store from the opposite side of the street, May 12, 1869. He was followed by Daniel Chis- holm with a millinery store, from 1886 to 1890.
Thomas D. Skiles and David J. Hopwood opened a dry goods store in the corner room as soon as the building was finished and here continued but a short time when Mr. Skiles withdrew and Charles H. Rush took his place, and this firm continued until 1880, when Hopwood withdrew.
Max Baum moved his clothing store into this room 1879 and in 1894 the eastern room was added to his room. In 1908 his room was still further enlarged by the addition of the " Concert Hall " room and the room on Pittsburgh street. Mr. Baum has occupied this corner since 1879.
Henry A. Wathen was the first occupant of the basement with a restaurant and oyster saloon, and he was followed by
123
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Isaac N. Hagan with the same business. It has been occupied much of the time since as a barber shop.
Concert Hall was used for many years as a place for en- tertainments until the erection of the Opera Block which was completed in 1883.
Dr. F. C. Robinson and William McCleary purchased this property in 1873, and Mr. McCleary's interest was transferred to Dr. Robinson in 1879, and in 1906, he conveyed it to Josiah V. Thompson and John T. Robinson. In April, 1913, Mr. Thompson transferred his interest to William Baum.
1.
-
CHAPTER VII.
JACOB'S ADDITION-MAIN STREET, SOUTH SIDE, FROM MORGAN- TOWN STREET WESTWARD TO THE COUNTY HOME, COMPRISING
LOTS 1 TO 3, AND 15 TO 20, INCLUSIVE, IN JACOB'S ADDITION.
The dividing line between the tract of land called Mill Seat, patented to Henry Beeson, and that of the tract called Mount Vernon, patented to Jacob Beeson, was what is now the middle of Morgantown street.
Jacob Beeson, a brother of Henry Beeson, concluded to lay off an addition to " the town of Union" with streets and alleys to conform therewith. This he called Jacob's Addition and consisted of the extension of Elbow street and of Peter street. Lot No. 1 in Jacob's Addition was the first lot west of Cheat or Morgantown street and on the south side of Elbow or Main street. Lot No. 1 in Jacob's Addition was sold to Jacob Beeson, merchant, son of Henry Beeson, the founder of the town, October 16, 1780, and on December 31, 1792, Jacob Beeson, merchant, transferred his interest to Peter Knapp for 50 Spanish milled dollars, and Peter Knapp received an original deed from Jacob Beeson, the founder, October 21, 1793. The right of way for the old Henry Beeson mill race was reserved through the southern part of this lot and through all other lots on its way to the mill at the west end of town.
Peter Knap was a brewer by occupation and ran a brewery in the old log building subsequently known as the Greenland property. He secured a license to keep a tavern at March term, 1795, and in connection with his brewery, did business on this lot. Water from the Beeson mill race was conducted to this property through wooden pipes made of logs.
On August 23, 1824, Peter Knapp's administrator conveyed this property to Catharine Lynch, widow of Cornelius Lynch. Mrs. Lynch was known as Granny Lynch, and for many years kept a cake shop and made tallow candles for her customers. After the death of Granny Lynch, her son, Daniel P. Lynch, occupied this house as a dwelling. Millie Lynch, daughter of Cornelius and Catharine Lynch, married Joseph Fausett, Jr., a son of the Joseph Fausett whom General Braddock knocked down with the broad of his sword in the battle of the Monon-
124
125
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
gahela, July 9, 1755, and for which act Thomas Fausett, a brother, shot the rash and unfortunate commander.
Daniel P. Lynch was appointed High Sheriff of Fayette county in 1820, and served in that capacity until 1823.
The old frame building on this corner was remodeled and converted into a store room, for which it was used for many years. John A. Sangston, who had served as high sheriff from October 22, 1829, till 1832, kept a store here, with William Swearingen as a partner, in 1836-38, when he traded his stock of goods to William Snyder, who also served as sheriff of the county, from 1847 to 1850, for a farm near Walnut Hill, and Mr. Snyder started his son, C. Brown Snyder, in business here.
L. M. Kline succeeded C. B. Snyder in business on this corner. He was a tall, spare man and very much of a gentle- man. He associated with him for a short time, Mr. R. M. Modesitt, and they pushed business with great energy. Mr. Kline's advertisement of July 18, 1843, announced that he had just received new goods at "Kline's cheap corner, where the sign of the red flag hangs at the top of the long pole." It was Mr. Kline's custom to auction his goods on Saturdays, when the country folks would be in town, and during the weeks of court he would take a wagon load of goods and auction them off in front of the court house. One of his rival merchants adopted the same plan, and often the two would be in front of the court house crying their goods at the same time. Kline then conceived a plan to draw the crowd from his rival, and would throw cups and ladles and other small articles among the crowd, saying he had no time to sell such trifles, and thereby would draw the crowd from his rival's wagon.
In January, 1844, Mr. Kline's store room and contents were totally destroyed during a very heavy snow storm. The fire raged furiously, and all that saved the old "Whitewash " corner was the heavy fall of snow. The fire was evidently the work of an incendiary, and Mr. Kline was arrested and had a hearing before Judge Nathaniel Ewing, January 22. James Veech defended Mr. Kline, and Howell and Flenniken were the prosecuting attorneys. The evidence was entirely circum- stantial, and Mr. Kline, properly, was acquitted. Mr. Kline subsequently went into business in other locations in town as noted elsewhere.
The old burnt corner lay for quite a while vacant when
126
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Isaac Skiles, Sr., who had been in business for a number of years on the opposite side of the street, purchased it, and in 1845 erected thereon a three-story brick business room and dwelling, which was ever after known as Skiles' corner. Upon the completion of this building, Mr. Skiles moved his business into it under the name of I. Skiles & Son, and in the month of February, 1852, Isaac Skiles, Sr., retired from business and Isaac Skiles, Jr., & Co., continued, and in 1854 the firm was T. D. Skiles & Co., and in 1855 it was W. and T. D. Skiles, and in August, 1861, W. and T. D. dissolved and Thomas D. con- ducted the business alone. In 1866 Alfred Newlon purchased the store and his son, Robert H., conducted the business for a while, when in 1867 William McCleary & Son purchased the property and conducted business. They in turn were succeeded by Thomas Hadden who purchased the stock of merchandise and also the real estate and conducted the business here for ten years and also occupied the residence part of the property. Thomas Hadden sold the realty to Josiah V. Thompson and John D. Ruby, April 1, 1885, and the stock of goods to Cramer and Breckenridge.
Other occupants of the old Skiles Corner were C. T. Cramer with Clark Breckenridge conducted business here in 1880. Breckenridge retired and later Aaron Bowman entered partner- ship. Cramer and Bowman were succeeded in 1885 by Henry Beeson and Robert Hook, who in the spring of 1888 were suc- ceeded by John Niccolls who remodeled the room, and after several years of occupancy, sold out to Fred Ward. Ward soon sold to D. E. Hamilton. After Hamilton's occupancy the room lay vacant for some time when Charles E. Beeson moved the remaining goods of the famous old Beeson store from the Will- son Block and closed them out at auction here, May 11, 1897. This date marks the closing out of the Beeson store which was claimed to have been founded by Jacob Beeson, son of Henry Beeson, the founder of the town, in 1783, after a continuous run of 114 years.
T. N. Thompson opened business in this room succeeding C. E. Beeson, who occupied it temporarily, and continued as its last tenant until April 1, 1900, when this building and others adjoining on the west were torn away preparatory to the erection of the fine new Thompson-Ruby building.
Upon the completion of the Thompson-Ruby building the
127
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
First National Bank of Uniontown moved into the main busi- ness room on May 16, 1901, from the old Round Corner building, and continued business here during the erection of the fine eleven-story building on the site of the old Round Corner.
A. G. Kail succeeded the First National in this room with his private bank, and he was succeeded by other tenants.
The adjoining rooms were used as a shoe store and the second and third floors as offices.
Laird & Taylor of Pittsburgh were the first occupants of this room with a shoe store under the charge of G. M. Kirby, but in a few months sold out to Thomas T. Coffman who con- tinued the business in this room until April 1, 1906, when he was succeeded by J. J. Henry in the same business.
Next west of the Skiles Corner stood a two-story brick building -erected by Mrs. Millie Faucett and her daughter, known as Aunt Betsy Faucett. Millie was a daughter of Cor- nelius Lynch, and her husband was Joseph Faucett, Jr., a son of the Joseph Faucett whom General Braddock struck down at the battle of the Monongahela, July 9, 1755. Mrs. Faucett and her daughter carried on the millinery business here for many years. After the death of Mrs. Faucett her daughter carried on the business for some years. This property passed from Aunt Betsy Faucett to Thomas D. Skiles who converted the building to a business room and dwelling, and M. Amburg opened a clothing store in the business room in 1866 to 1871. He was followed by Daniel Sharpnack & Son, 1872, with clothing. This property passed to the ownership of Armstrong Hadden along with the Skiles Corner and at his death it passed to the ownership of James Hadden, under whose ownership Margaret McCray ran a millinery store, 1875-78, and she was succeeded by Mrs. George Bryson with millinery and dry goods. John M. Hadden followed with merchant tailoring. The prop- erty passed to the ownership of Joseph M. Hadden and from him to J. V. Thompson and John D. Ruby. S. Rice & Co. were located here with a ready-made clothing store, 1889-93, and they were succeeded by S. Haley & Son as clothier tailors. Then followed George Messmore with tobacco and Marion Mc- Clain with notions and toys. The last tenant was Mrs. Boyd with a restaurant, when the building was torn down.
The next building west of the old Faucett property was located on lot No. 2 in Jacob's Addition and was owned by
128
History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Adam S. Simonson in 1802. Clement Wood, a soldier of the war of 1812, carried on his business here as a saddler and harness maker as also the office of a justice of the peace. Charles Page was located here in 1830 as a shoemaker, and Sowers and Martin occupied this room with a dry goods store, 1845-48. George Martin married Miss Rebecca Seaton, daugh- ter of James Seaton, proprietor of the Seaton House. Capt. John Sowers married Miss Mary Meason, daughter of Isaac Meason, Jr., proprietor of the Mount Braddock farm. Both were excellent men and closed out their business here at auc- tion in 1848. L. D. Beall opened out a grocery store here in 1850, and soon sold out to his brother, Silas Price Beall who remained but a year or two and removed elsewhere. John Carpenter was located here as a tailor in 1854, and he was succeeded in the same business in 1856-7 by D. M. Springer. Jacob Fell carried on a meat market here in 1862, and Thomas Stone followed with a leather store, 1864. Thomas H. Lewis followed Stone with a grocery store, 1865. Other occupants were Simon Shoenthol with pictures, picture frames, book binding, etc., 1870-72. Then followed Mrs. Carr with millinery, John W. Wood, saddles and harness, William Thorndell with groceries, Samuel Morris, groceries, and Isaac Henderson John- son with groceries, was the last tenant, who vacated the room April 1, 1900. The last owner of this property was William Thorndell, who sold to J. V. Thompson and John D. Ruby and comprised part of the lot on which was erected the Thompson- Ruby building.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.