USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 17
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were large, shed-like stables for the accommodation of teams, and on the front was a small building in which Mr. McClelland, in his younger days, carried on his trade as a gunsmith. During the war of 1812, he was a corporal in Captain Moore's company, and, being colorbearer of his regiment, he brought home with him a part of the flag under which he fought, which is still sacredly preserved. When General Scott passed through Uniontown, he was a guest of Mr. McClelland, and here at his tavern, met several of his old comrades in arms.
In this-large wagon yard and stable small shows would fre- quently exhibit, as the following advertisement will show:
" The Learned Elephant will exhibit at William McClelland's tavern lot in Uniontown, on Thursday and Friday, the 7th and 8th of August, 1823, and on Saturday, the 9th, at McClellandtown, on Monday, 11th, at Merrittstown, and on Tuesday and Wednesday, 12th and 13th, at Brownsville. The one now offered to the public view is a female. She will lie down and get up, draw the cork from a bottle and manage it in such a manner as to drink its con- tents, and will perform many other tricks. She weighs 6,000 pounds. For particulars, see hand bills." (Genius of Liberty, August 5, 1823.)
Another show of similar character exhibited on this same lot in 1829 or -30, which was never forgotten by those who witnessed the episode that immediately followed. The sole equipment of this show consisted of one elephant, whose unpretentious name was Big Bess. Big Bess was accorded a hearty welcome by the youth of the town, and a goodly number of spectators assembled to wit- ness the performance of the huge but docile beast. She would allow persons to ride upon her back, and at a given signal, would shake her huge sides and tumble her burden to the ground. She would hold her trunk in such a position as to afford a tolerably easy seat, and several of the young ladies availed themselves of the opportunity of a novel ride.
The performance over, the parade, consisting of Big Bess and her keeper, started for Brownsville, the next place billed for exhi- bition. Dr. Phythian, then living at the west end of town, was the owner of a small but spunky brindled bulldog, whose name was Boxer. When Boxer noticed the commotion on the street, he thought that perhaps his services might be required to quell any disturbance or dispell any alarm that threatened to disturb the usual quiet of the otherwise peaceful village. No sooner did Boxer see
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the " big india-rubber thing with two tails " coming down the street than he surmised that it must be the cause of all the commotion, and not stopping to consider the disparity between himself and Big Bess, with a heroism worthy of a Roman, he rushed upon the beast, seized her by the trunk and held on while she swung him high in the air from one side to the other, at the same time giving vent to unearthly shrieks which sent terror to the hearts of those who swarmed the sidewalks. The people sought safety in flight, and Big Bess, frightened out of her wits, whirled and started back through the town, and she, too, sought safety in a house.
Joseph Kibler kept a tin shop in an old frame building a short distance west of Arch street. Into this Big Bess determined to press her way, and, tearing the door-jamb from its place, amid the clangor of falling tinware and the vociferous remonstrance of Mr. Kibler, she passed on through the rear of the shop, on her way stepping into a large copper kettle, which was sitting on the floor, she left the imprint of her pondrous foot therein. This kettle is still the property of a gentleman of the town. Mrs. Kibler, who had been a helpless cripple for years, fled for her life, a feat, under other circumstances, impossible.
Big Bess, having reached the street in the rear of the shop, and finding herself free from Boxer, rattling tinware and the excited crowd, soon regained her composure and quietly resumed her jour- ney over the old National road, to exhibit her accomplishments to other admirers.
The first show to visit Uniontown that made some pretentions at display was Blanchard's circus. The actors wore their acting costumes in the street parade, and thus captivated the crowd. The bare-back riding by young Blanchard and Miss Blanchard would compare favorably with that witnessed at the modern circus, and its return, in 1832, was looked forward to with much interest.
Mr. McClelland went to his fields at the south side of town, where some hands were harvesting, and while there he fell from the effects of a paralytic stroke and was hauled home on a sled, and died soon after. He was born September 17, 1764, and died July 23, 1833. His widow, Rachel McIntire McClelland, continued the tavern for some time. She was born November 2, 1781, and died at the home of her son, Alfred, on Fayette street, September 9,1865.
The old frame building in which William McClelland kept his tavern was removed by Capt. Hugh Gorley to his lot on Pittsburgh
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street, and here he occupied it for many years as a residence, anc still stands on the corner of Penn street.
Alfred McClelland, son of William, erected a two-story brick building, covering the entire front of this lot, in 1837. While this new hotel building was being erected, Mr. McClelland conducted the Walker House, and while here, John Quincy Adams visited the town and was a guest at the Walker House. Alfred McClelland died September 8, 1862.
The new McClelland House had an arched alley-way near the western part, with a room west of the alley-way. This alley-way was for the accommodation of teams, through which they might . pass to and from the large stables in the rear.
When the Good Intent stage line was put on the National road, the stopping place and office were at the McClelland House, and re- mained so until 1851, when the line was taken off, and the hotel bore the name of Good Intent for much of this time.
Selden B. Hays was proprietor of the McClelland House for some time before he took charge of the McCleary hotel in 1840. Louis D. Beall came here from Maryland and took charge of the McClelland house, as proprietor, in 1846-47. The Swan Brothers, James, William and Thomas, were proprietors here in 1850-51-52. Under their management, the house was known as the Good Intent hotel. Jeremiah Colflesh succeeded the Swan Brothers in April, 1852, and died while proprietor, of congestion of the lungs, July 27, 1853, and his widow continued the business in 1854, when she was succeeded by J. W. Kisinger. Many others have followed as owners and proprietors of this famous hotel, until the present time, and it has been, from time to time, greatly enlarged and improved.
The part of the McClelland house that stood west of the arch- way was frequently occupied separate and apart from the hotel proper by different tenants. Among the many tenants of this room may be mentioned Alexander Moxley, well known as the most gen- tlemanly colored man of the town, who occupied this room as a barber shop in 1852, and for some years. His advertisement ran in the following style :
" Alexander Moxley can't be beat For cutting hair and trimming neat, He'll do the work just as low As any other barber, too.
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His shop is fitted in superb style,
Come one, come all, give him a trial,
And if he shaves you with much ease,
You can come again when e'er you please.
He'll clean your boots in quickest time And only charge a half a dime,
You may think it merely just, He works too cheap to ever trust."
Benjamin Campbell purchased lot No. 8 in Jacob's Addition from Jacob Beeson's executors, for $400.00, June 28, 1820, and on September 27th following, he transferred it to James C. Seaton.
On September 29, 1837, James C. Seaton sold the western corner of this lot to R. L. Barry for $500.
This yard was used for many years as a stable-yard in con- nection with the Seaton house. Large stables and sheds occupied the rear of this lot. A two-story frame building stood on the west- ern corner, next to Jacob's alley, now Arch street, and two small frame buildings on the more easterly part. The one next to the McClelland House was used for a barber shop and offices, and the one next was used as shops and offices.
The building on the western corner was occupied in 1830, by Trevor and Foster, who were manufacturing woolen goods at New Haven, and had a sales room for their goods in this building. Peter Uriah Hook, who had been in business at McClellandtown from 1833 to 1837, came to Uniontown in 1837, and clerked here for Foster & Nixon, who broke up in 1840, and Hook took the goods for his wages, and with these he started in business for himself.
Robert L. Barry, as early as 1824, when a boy, started to walk from Baltimore to Uniontown. On the way, he was overtaken by Hugh Thompson, a merchant of this town, who had been to Phila- delphia for goods. Upon inquiry, Thompson learned that the boy was on his way to Uniontown, and kindly took him in and brought him to this place. He clerked awhile for his father, Richard Barry, in the clothing business, worked awhile in the Stockton shops, paint- ing coaches, and clerked awhile in Stockton's store on Morgantown street.
Mr. Barry appears to have opened a store in this room in 1844, and remained in business here until 1855, occupying the rest of the building as a residence. His wife was Miss Juliet Seaton, daughter of James Seaton. He purchased the stock of dry goods of Lippen-
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cott & Shallengerger at the sign of the "Golden Beehive" and moved his stock to the Bryan building. Not long after this, Mr. Barry started west with his stock of goods, and all were destroyed by a fire on the boat on which they were being conveyed.
John A. Durbin followed in the Barry room with an ice cream and confectionery store, and Major Scott purchased his stock in July, 1855, and continued the business.
Daniel M. Springer was an occupant here with his tailoring establishment.
Louis D. Beall occupied this room with a stock of groceries, with J. Oliphant Stewart as manager. Mr. Beall bought flour in Pittsburgh at $6.00 per barrel, in the fall of 1869, and owing to the heavy frost of that year, he was enabled to sell it at $12.00 per barrel. Mr. Beall soon found the business poorly managed, and sold his stock to his manager, who by indolence, indulgence and mismanagement, soon found himself keeping what he termed " a still grocery," and closed out in 1860.
Amos M. Jolliffe succeeded Ol. Wells in this property with a stock of furniture; using the upper part for furniture rooms and dwelling, and the lower room for a marble and tombstone works, and the small building on the east as a workshop. He located here April, 1861, and was here in 1863. He sold the marble works to Robert Baird, a marble cutter, who continued the business in the small building.
Peter Kremer, who had been in business for many years in the Col. Roberts building, moved his family and store into this build- ing April 1, 1863, and here he carried on the grocery business until March, 1868, when the building and nearly all the contents was destroyed by fire, Mr. Kremer and his family barely making their escape.
E. A. Lingo and Thomas Hare purchased the western corner of this lot soon after the fire, and erected a photograph gallery thereon, upon the completion of which they moved their gallery from a small building on Morgantown street. Mr. Lingo soon purchased the interest of his partner and conducted the business in his own name. He built a two-story brick residence next east of his gallery in 1870, and ever since occupied it as such until his death, March 16, 1910, after which his widow continued to occupy it.
Mr. Lingo was a native of Cumberland, and located in Union- town in 1866, and carried on the photograph business until 1901, when he retired from the business, and the gallery was continued
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by other parties until April 1, 1906, at which time, after a con- tinued use of 38 years, it was vacated as a photograph gallery, and occupied for other business purposes.
Thomas Hibben purchased from Jacob Beeson, January 13, 1801, for eight dollars, the first lot west of Jacob's alley, now Arch street, and known as No. 21 in Jacob's Addition.
Mr. Hibben occupied this lot as a residence and carried on blacksmithing, in connection with David Moreland, in a shop on the western side of the lot. He served as a private in Captain Thomas Collins' company, along the northern lakes, in the war of 1812. He moved to Georges township and was captain of the Georges Creek Rifle company in 1815, and was still a resident of that town- ship in 1821. He finally moved to Newark, Ohio.
James Seaton purchased this property February 12, 1814, and kept a tavern here for many years. He came from Virginia, and lived first in a frame house on the lot adjoining on the west. On the eastern corner of this lot stood a brick building, having a hall on the west side and a bar-room on the east, lining on Jacob's alley. A dining room ran across the back, and a log kitchen stood in the rear. There were three rooms over the brick part and two over the kitchen. This is a description of the property in which James Seaton kept his tavern at the sign of " The Black Horse " until his death, and in which his widow, Elizabeth, continued the business until March 18, 1857, after which time she continued to own the property and remained as a boarder.
This old hostelry became so popular under the management of the Seatons that it was favorably spoken of throughout the country and along the old National road.
J. W. Kisinger became proprietor of the Seaton house, April 1, 1857, and he was succeeded in 1858 by Philip D. Stentz, who had been a wagoner on the old pike. David G. Sperry was proprietor of this old hostelry, 1862-63. S. K. Frey conducted this hotel for a number of years.
James T. Redburn purchased this property from the heirs of James S. Seaton December 22, 1863, and sold it to John Messmore March 21, 1866. Mr. Messmore conducted it awhile and sold it to Henry Jennings, June 10, 1875.
Henry Jennings came from Carmichaels in the spring of 1875, and soon thereafter purchased the Seaton house and improved the property in many ways besides enlarging it considerably. He ran it as the Jennings hotel until January 28, 1890, when he sold to
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George F. Titlow, who conducted it until June, 1896, when he sold to Robert F. Sample, who conducted it as the West End hotel.
T. Springer Todd became proprietor May, 1904, and ran it for three years.
Todd sold to Frank C. Rush and Arthur Rush January 1, 1908, to take effect May 1, 1908. It is still conducted as a hotel.
Jonathan Miller was the first purchaser of lot No. 22, in Jacob's Addition, October 20, 1797. He had the custody of the public rec- ords during the erection of the Fayette county court house in 1797-98, and purchased a lot of one and a half acres at the east end of town in 1797. He was in command of the Fayette county " Troop of Horse" in June, 1801. He is mentioned as a resident of Brownsville, where he kept a tavern in 1810.
John Stidger purchased this property from Jonathan Miller December 31, 1798. Mr. Stidger was a hatter by trade and carried on his business in that part of the building on this lot next to Hib- ben's blacksmith shop until his death, March 16, 1811, after which his heirs sold the property to Henry Beeson, miller.
A row of frame houses stood on this lot. A business room was on the east and a covered alley-way separated this from another but smaller business room in the middle, then another alley-way separated this from the dwelling house on the extreme western part of the lot. The building was two stories and continuous on the second story. The alley-ways passed under the upper floors, and were kept closed by gates.
John Hendrickson succeeded John Stidger here in the hat busi- ness in 1815 to 1822. He advertised that he would pay the highest price, in cash, for lamb's wool at his shop, and further that he will take Connellsville, New Lisbon, Ohio, and Canton, Ohio, money for hats and caps. This Connellsville money was the notes of the Con- nellsville Navigation company, which was organized October 8, 1816, and after a struggle, retired its notes in November, 1818, but still continued to redeem them until 1831.
Other tenants, who did business in this frame building, were: John Carpenter, Absalom Guiler, James L. Irwin and others as tailors, and these were followed by many and various tenants until the building was torn away.
The second of these two rooms .was more spacious and among its various tenants may be mentioned the following :
Olford Gregg kept a dry goods store here and also occupied the residence.
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Samuel Y. Campbell carried on the dry goods business here and also occupied the residence. His first wife died while he was an occupant of this property, in 1824. He was located here before and perhaps at the time his brick store room and residence, now the Harah property, was building.
William McCleary was located here with a dry goods store in 1843, after being in business on the McCleary lot, and lived on the opposite side of the street in the William Crawford building. While here, he built the frame residence on Fayette street, where the residence of James Ellis now stands. He went to Smithfield in 1844, and took charge of the branch store of Col. Ewing Brown- field. Other tenants of this property were Allen Byers, saddler ; Peter Slater, saddler; George A. Shallenberger, saddler, 1848; George W. Hubbs, saddler, 1850; George W. Rutter, auction rooms. Jonathan Fisher, the veteran glove manufacturer of the town, made and sold buckskin gloves here for many years. He advertised that he wanted 5,000 pounds of deer skins at his shop. Other tenants were: Benjamin Kremer, silversmith; Wm. B. McCormick, meat market; T. R. and C. Marshall, marble works and tombstones. Adams Express company had their office here in 1879. The resi- dent part was occupied beside those already mentioned by John W. Barr, the old confectioner, who went to housekeeping here. Jesse Beeson, the well-remembered miller of the town, was for many years an occupant and died here April 9, 1890. Joseph E. Dillinger was the last tenant in this old building.
In 1885, George W. Rutter erected on the eastern part of this lot a three-story brick building, the third floor of which was intended for a home for the Knights of Pythias lodge. The second floor was fitted for a family residence and the first floor was occupied by Mr. Rutter as a grocery store, where he continued in business to the end of his business career.
Mr. Rutter was born in Baltimore, March, 25, 1803, and came to Uniontown in 1824, and started in business. He was in business longer, perhaps, than any other merchant that ever lived in Union- town. He died January 9, 1897, aged nearly 94 years, having a business career of nearly three-fourths of a century. His sons, Hanson and Skiles, continued the business until 1910, when his grandsons, John and Henry Rutter, took charge and continued the business.
J. Arthur Strickler came into possession of forty-nine feet of the western portion of this lot in 1903, and tore away the old build-
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ings and erected a fine three-story building known as the Strickler- Hess building, the second and third floors were fitted for flats and the first floor for business purposes. The West Penn Railways company occupied the western room for several years, and Stone's Big Furniture store occupied the eastern, and later the whole of the first floor.
Isaiah Stephens purchased lot No. 23 in Jacob's Addition from Jacob Beeson, April 25, 1796. This was the most western lot sold on the north side of Main street, and was bounded on the west by an alley which was reserved for the accommodation of the mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and access to the Meth- odist Episcopal burying ground. The old Beeson mill-race ran through this lot. Henry Beeson, Jr., son of Henry Beeson, the original founder of the town, occupied a frame dwelling house that stood on the eastern part of this lot, for several years before moving into the old Henry Beeson mansion.
Rev. William Wylie accepted a call from the Uniontown con- gregation of the Presbyterian church, April 21, 1819. He pur- chased this lot December 2, 1819, and erected thereon a large two- story brick dwelling and occupied it as such during his pastorate in Uniontown.
James Shriver, who was a surveyor in the location and con- struction of the National road, succeeded Rev. Wylie as an occu- pant of this house. His first wife was Elizabeth B. Miller, a daughter of John Miller, and granddaughter of Jacob Beeson, one of the founders of the town. She died January 8, 1825, while her husband was absent on a surveying tour. His second wife was Eliza Miller, a sister of his first wife, and after the death of Mr. Shriver, his widow married William Murphy of North Union township. Mr. Shriver made a pencil drawing of Jacob Beeson, which is still preserved and highly prized.
Dr. J. B. Phythian succeeded Mr. Shriver as an occupant here. He was a native of Gloucestershire, England, but became a resident of Pittsburgh in 1825. He had his office in Stewart's row, on Mor- gantown street, and advertised vaccine matter for sale. He mar- ried Ann, daughter of William Gore Elder of Somerset. The Elder family owned two thousand acres of land in Springfield township, Fayette county. Dr. Phythian moved onto this land, where he died a few years after, and was buried at Somerset.
Dr. Daniel Sturgeon purchased this property from Rev. Wylie, then living in Licking county, Ohio, July 11, 1833, and
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occupied it much of the time as a residence until his death, July 2, 1878.
Dr. Sturgeon was a native of Adams county, and was born October 27, 1789, and graduated at Jefferson college, and came to Uniontown in 1810, and studied medicine under Dr. Benjamin Stevens, and upon the death of Dr. Stevens, January 3, 1813, he purchased his library and resumed his practice.
In 1819 he was elected a member of the legislature, where he served three terms. He was elected to the state senate in 1825, and served as speaker of the house in 1827-28-29. He was appointed auditor-general of the state under Governor Wolfe, and entered upon the duties of that office May 3, 1830, and in which capacity he served six years, during which time he resided at Harrisburg.
Upon his return to Uniontown, after his service as auditor- general, a meeting was held at the hotel of Mrs. McClelland, Tues- day evening, May 10, 1836, for the purpose of giving expression of the public regard for the Honorable Daniel Sturgeon, late auditor-general of the state, and greeting his return with suitable tokens of respect and friendship.
The meeting was organized by electing Richard Beeson, Esq., president, Major Samuel Marshall and Matthew Allen, Esq., vice- presidents, and John Keffer, secretary. On motion, Alonzo L. Littell, Joshua B. Howell, Esq., James A. Sangston, Esq., William B. Roberts and William P. Wells, Esq., were appointed a commit- tee to draft proceedings for the consideration and action of the meeting ; who, after retiring for a short time, reported as follows : " Whereas, the Honorable Daniel Sturgeon has again returned to his home in Uniontown after discharging his duties as auditor- general of this commonwealth with a zeal and polity not surpassed by any functionary of the State, and bringing with him to his re- tirement the same popular attachment which has ever endeared him in the regard of the people. Therefore be it resolved that a public dinner be tendered to the Honorable Daniel Sturgeon, late auditor-general of the State, in token of the high respect which this meeting entertains for him as an individual, and as a public officer whose abilities have been so ably and zealously exerted in the arduous duties which his public station has imposed upon him." On motion, a committee of ten was appointed to tender to him the invitation, and to appoint the time suitable for his convenience. The committee consisted of John Dawson, Esq., William Craw- ford, R. P. Flenniken, Esq., J. B. Howell, Esq., W. P. Wells, Esq.,
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Matthew Allen, Joseph Williams, Esq., Alonzo L. Littell, Dr. C. N. J. Macgill, James Piper, Esq. On motion, J. B. Howell, John M. Austin, William B. Roberts, Alexander Fowler and William Crawford were appointed a committee of arrangements to make suitable preparations for a public dinner on Tuesday, the 24th, at 3 p. m., at such place as they may deem proper and suitable to the occasion. Resolved that the proceedings be signed by the officers of the meeting and published in the papers of the county.
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