USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 19
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David Moreland sold this property to James Veech, March 30, 1839, and he conveyed it to his father, David Veech, April 20, 1857. David Veech tore away the old log and erected on its site a two- story brick dwelling, which he occupied until his death, February 14, 1866, in the 85th year of his age. Alexander Boyd occupied this house for some years, and George C. Marshall, who lived here for some years, was its last tenant.
Harry Beeson purchased a part of this property and tore away
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THE OLD WHITE SWAN TAVERN.
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the brick dwelling and erected on its site the West End Theater building. This playhouse was opened for plays October 20, 1903, with " The Sultan of Sulu."
Ephraim Hankins contracted with Jacob Beeson, September 20, 1816, for a one-fourth acre lot on the west bank of Jacob's run, lining on Main street. His interest was sold by the sheriff, Sep- tember 8, 1819, to Henry H. Beeson, who included this lot in a tract sold to Lucius W. Stockton. Mr. Stockton built a stone ice house against the northern wall of the bridge, in which ice was stored for many years.
E. D. Fulton erected several small one-story frame buildings west of Coal Lick run in 1903, against the protests of the adjoining property holders. These were derisively named "ground scrapers " and have been since occupied by small stores. While small build- ings like these may be condemned, they afford opportunities for many to earn a livelihood that could not afford to rent more pre- tentious buildings.
Jacob Beeson, the founder of the western part of Uniontown, built for himself a mansion in 1785-86, at the west end of town and occupied it from the time it was finished until his death, 1818, and his widow continued to occupy it until her death, 1825. The old road passed to the north of this mansion when it was built, but when the National road was constructed, it passed to the south of the mansion, thus leaving Mr. Beeson's fine mansion facing from the great thoroughfare. The eastern side of the mansion was converted into a front, thus giving a most beautiful view of the town and the distant range of mountains. While Mr. Beeson lived in this mansion, his youngest child, Henry Hedges Beeson, was born, and this was the only one of his family of twelve children born in this house.
Henry H. Beeson and Robert Skiles, executors of the will of Jacob Beeson, gave the following " Notice "-" The executors of the last will of Jacob Beeson, decd., will expose a number of out lots containing two to five acres, part of the mansion tract, for sale. The lots will be sold off north of the old road northward. Each lot to be accommodated with convenient avenues. If purchasers prefer, the whole tract of about 150 acres north of the old road will be sold in one body, on which is erected a small log house, a good frame barn, and several good springs. There are also a good stone quarry and a coal bank and from thirty to forty acres of good tim- ber. The fences are in good repair. The sale will take place the
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first day of March, 1823, on the premises. Terms, one-third in hand the remainder in three annual payments." H. H. Beeson, Rober Skiles, executors. January 28, 1823.
The above sale evidently never came off, as not a single deer shows by date or description that a sale was consummated as the result of the above notice.
Jacob Beeson was tax collector for Union township, then com posing what is now North and South Union townships, for the year 1803, and the whole amount of the duplicate for the township was $654.26.
Daniel Moore purchased of the executors of Jacob Beeson the mansion house and about thirty acres of land surrounding the same March 23, 1831. He was an extensive stage proprietor of Wash- ington, Pa., and purchased this property for a home for his daugh ter, Rebecca, the wife of L. W. Stockton. Mr. Moore never became a resident of Uniontown. His wife was the widow of Dr. Adam Simonson and a sister to James Carnahan, for many years president of Princeton college, and who, as a very young girl, came to live at the home of her step-father, Dr. Jacob Jennings of Dunlap's creek, Fayette county.
Mr. Stockton named his place " Ben Lomond," after a cele- brated Scottish mountain of surpassing beauty, and made extensive improvements to his residence. He erected a covered drive-way at the west side of the house, and large gates to the entrance,; ornamented with large, carved horses' heads.
He was the manager of the National Stage Coach lines on the old National road. He was born at Flemington, N. J., September 1, 1799, and was the son of Lucius Stockton, and a grand-son of Rev. Philip Stockton, who was a brother of Richard Stockton, an eminent lawyer and judge of New Jersey, and who was a member of congress for that state in 1776, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
L. W. Stockton located in Uniontown prior to 1824, as man- ager of the stage line, and was a man of wonderful business energy. His first wife was Rebecca Moore, daughter of Daniel Moore, before mentioned, by whom he had six children, one of whom married General Leiper of Philadelphia, and with whom Mrs. Stockton made her home until her death. L. W. Stockton's second wife was his cousin, Katharine Stockton, and by this marriage lie had four children. His second wife's mother and a daughter lived in Mr. Stockton's property on Morgantown street, later known as
S P t t
E za th gı b P S
the af cl
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the Deford property. The daughter married Samuel S. Austin and after his death she married Rev. Dr. Rawson, an Episcopal clergyman.
L. W. Stockton was active in establishing the service of the Episcopal church in Uniontown, and was a vestryman at the organi- zation of the parish in 1842, and besides contributing liberally to the support of the church, he donated to the parish the lot of ground upon which the stone structure of St. Peter's now stands, but on account of the proper papers not having been executed, the parish was compelled to pay for the ground after the death of Mr. Stockton:
Mr. Stockton, becoming dissatisfied with the manner in which the mails were being handled by one of our early postmasters, sought the removal of the encumbent, and his influence with the post office department was such that he succeeded in the removal of the postmaster and the appointment of his friend, Daniel Smith, to the position.
Mr. Stockton died at his home April 25, 1844, and was buried in the Methodist Episcopal graveyard. His daughters, Mrs. Wishart and Mrs. McKennan, had the remains removed and in- terred in the cemetery at Washington, Pa.
Dr. Howard Kennedy of Hagerstown, Md., succeeded Mr. Stockton in this residence in the fall of 1844, and here resided until 1851, when he returned to Hagerstown. His wife was a sister to Alfred Howell, Esq. He was in charge of the government mails between Washington and Wheeling over the National road, and he personally conducted the search which fastened the mail robberies upon Dr. John F. Braddee. He also represented the government in the prosecution. He died June 12, 1855, and Mrs. Kennedy died March 1, 1900, in her 81st year.
Everhart Bierer bought this property from Daniel Moore March 9, 1850, and occupied it for a while as a residence, when he sold it to Hon. Samuel A. Gilmore, April 1, 1855. Samuel A. Gilmore was appointed president judge of the Fourteenth Judicial District, February 25, 1848, and soon thereafter moved to Union- town, and resided here until his death, May 15, 1873, and the man- sion is still owned and occupied by his heirs.
Joseph McGee, a blacksmith by trade, purchased from the Jacob Beeson estate sixteen and a half acres on the north side of the National road, adjoining land of L. W. Stockton on the east and fronting 488 feet on the National road, July 13, 1832. On this
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Mr. McGee lived in a two-story log house, beautifully located on a knoll some distance back from the road. He had a log blacksmith shop on the front of this lot in which he carried on his business of blacksmithing for many years. He died in 1831, and his executors sold the property to L. W. Stockton. His widow subsequently married Montgomery Demmons, known among the old stage drivers as "Old Mount," whose normal weight was 450 pounds, but before his death he attained the weight of 600 pounds.
This lot became a part of the Gilmore estate and with others was sold off into building lots. The first residence west of the Gilmore mansion was erected by the Misses M. A., E. J. and Elvira Hess, and they occupied it as such since its erection. The next was a frame, erected by A. J. Moser, who occupied it a while and sold to George Porter, Jr., who sold to J. W. Dawson, Esq. The Misses Hess built a brick residence next west, and after occupying it for a short time, sold it to Thomas Prentice, who occupied until his death, after which it was sold to Jacob B. Adams, Esq., who im- proved it to a considerable extent, and occupied it as a residence. James Curry built a frame residence on the corner of West Main and Kensington streets, in which J. L. Malcolm lived for several years. Judge James Clark Work purchased this property and occupied it. Hon. J. C. Work bought the first lot west of Ken- sington street, and allowed it to remain vacant for many years. Mrs. Work, mother of J. C. Work, erected a brick residence on lot next west, and sold it to the Second Presbyterian church for a parsonage, and it was occupied by Rev. Seth R. Gordon, D. D., their minister. Homer H. Hess purchased this property and oc- cupied it. John C. Breading built a frame residence next west, and after occupying it a few years, he sold it to the Misses Brown, who occupied it. Samuel Rand built a frame residence, 1903 or '04, and occupied it. He was one of the proprietors of the Rand pow- der works, located near Fairchance, and which was blown up September 9, 1905. This property was purchased by Edward T. Porter, who occupied it. John Allen Morris built a frame resi- dence on lot No. 40, and occupied it as a residence for some time. A. G. McMullen purchased this property and improved it and oc- cupied it. Dr. Charles W. Adams purchased part of the old Joseph McGee lot, and erected a fine brick residence in 1904 and occupied it. John Boyle built a frame residence on the western part of the Joseph McGee lot, and occupied it. He preserved the old well and built a pergola and windlass over it in commemoration
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of the sentiment of Samuel Woodsworth, as expressed in his poem, " The Old Oaken Bucket."
Evans W. Hess built a brick residence on the corner of West Main and Nassau streets, in 1900, and occupied it. John F. Hog- sett built a fine brick residence next west of Nassau street and occu- pied it. Mrs. Mary L. Hess built a fine brick residence next west of John F. Hogsett and occupied it. Cyrus W. Pyle built a frame dwelling on the western limit of the Gilmore estate, and occupied it for several years. Joseph H. Kerr purchased this property and improved it extensively and occupied it.
Alexander Turner purchased from Jacob Beeson's executors 165 acres of land, 106 of which lined on the north side of the National road, and extended from the Joseph McGee purchase to the western limit of Mr. Beeson's tract. The other 59 acres of Mr. Turner's purchase was situated on the southern side of the National road, and constituted the western portion of the tract known as "Pionter." Alexander Turner came here as a stone mason and contractor on stone work in the construction of the National road. He was a one-armed man, having lost one arm in blasting stone before he came here. His first purchase of land after locating here was a five-acre lot on what is now Oakland avenue, on which he erected a good two-story brick dwelling, which he occupied for several years. This house is still standing, and was subsequently owned and occupied by Henry Mellier, who ran a market garden and sold the product of his garden at the old market-house. It was sold from Mr. Mellier and Redding Bunting became the owner, and lived there for several years. Thomas Frost purchased this property in 1865, and built a brick residence on the National road, which he occupied until 1879, when he sold to Clarence H. Beall, who occupied it until he sold it to J. Ells- worth Hess in 1906, who improved it beyond recognition of the old property.
Dr. Hugh Campbell purchased twenty acres from Alexander Turner, February 14, 1849. This tract lay next west of the Gilmore estate, and upon this Dr. Campbell built a fine mansion, most beautifully located. Here he lived for many years, until his ap- pointment to the position of warden of the Western penitentiary, in 1865, to which place he moved. S. D. Oliphant was an occupant of this residence for some time.
Dr. Hugh Campbell conveyed to Eli Cope, April 1, 1872, twenty acres and twenty-four perches, being the same as purchased
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from Alexander Turner. Mr. Cope moved to this property and occupied it until he sold to Mrs. Flavius B. Titlow, a grand- daughter of Jacob Beeson, the original owner of the ground.
Mr. Cope had already laid off a number of lots fronting on the National road and on both sides of Oakland avenue. Mrs. Titlow's purchase included the Dr. Campbell residence and one acre and eighty perches of land, and this she occupied until she conveyed it to Frank M. Seamans, Jr., August 5, 1903, who made elaborate and expensive improvements and added many acres of ground which he also embellished, making it one of the most delightful and desirable suburban residences in this part of the state.
Mr. Cope also sold to John Niccolls and others some twenty acres adjoining the above.
Mrs. Ruth Shepler purchased one hundred and eighty-one feet frontage on the National road or West Main street, and here erected a fine residence, which she has occupied since its completion. Next west of the Shepler residence is Thompson street, on which Mrs. Augusta Allen erected a comfortable frame residence, which, after occupying for some time, sold it to T. N. Thompson, who, after occupying it some time, conveyed it to Mrs. Edgar Boyle.
West of Thompson street Charles E. Lenhart erected a frame dwelling and, after occupying it some time, he sold it to Mrs. Rob- ert Haldeman, March 15, 1900, who occupied it until her removal to California, since which it has been occupied by other parties.
Mrs. Augusta Allen erected a frame dwelling next west of the Lenhart property in 1902, and, after occupying it a while, sold it to Winfield C. Johns, who has since occupied it.
John Snider built a small cottage house just west of an alley. and occupied it until he sold it to Warwick Miller, who occupied it until his death, September 29, 1893. John Finley purchased this property and Thomas W. Holland, a son-in-law, became the occupant.
John Allen Morris built a frame house next west of the Snider cottage, and on December 13, 1890, he conveyed it to James H. Williams, who has since made it his home. Howard Vanbremen bought the lot on the corner of West Main street and Oakland ave- nue, and erected thereon a frame dwelling and made it his home. Henry Black built a plain frame house next west of Oakland ave- nue, in which he lived until his death. Alex Craig bought this property, and Charles S. Ramsay occupied it for a while. This house was moved up Oakland avenue. 1
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Jefferson A. Walters built a comfortable frame house west of the Ellsworth Hess property, and, after occupying it a few years, he sold it to Mr. Hess.
Robert L. Barry purchased from Alexander Turner thirty- five acres and one hundred perches of land lining more than one thousand feet on the north side of the National road. On this he built a mansion in 1842, located on a beautiful knoll, commanding a most magnificent view of the distant mountains and surrounding country. Mr. Barry laid off a few lots on the eastern part of this tract, one of which was sold to Henry T. Diffenderffer and another to Isaac Skiles, Sr. On one of these lots a small brick house was built, which stood for many years and was occupied at different times by various tenants and was a very comfortable little home. These lots soon reverted back to the tract from which they were taken. Immediately back of this little brick house was a spring near which stood the log house in which Jacob Beeson first lived on settling west of the mountains.
The purchase of this property and the erection of the mansion so involved Mr. Barry that he conveyed it to Richard Beeson, who occupied it for some time. Hon. John Dawson purchased from Alexander Turner twenty-six acres adjoining the Barry- tract, and. he also purchased the Barry tract, aggregating sixty-two acres. Judge Dawson moved to this mansion upon retiring from the bench as associate judge, and resided here until 1865, when he moved back to town and sold this place, known as Oak Hill, to George A. Thompson, an English iron-master, president of the Fairchance Iron company, who resided here four years, and in 1875, it was purchased by the Honorable Charles E. Boyle, who made it his home. While residing at Oak Hill, Mr. Boyle was appointed by President Cleveland to the honorable position of chief justice of Washington territory, and while on his way to assume the duties of that office, he contracted a cold that terminated fatally. On Sunday, October 28, 1900, Mrs. Boyle received injuries in a runaway that caused her death December 13th following.
In 1903, Mr. J. V. Thompson purchased the Boyle mansion with thirty-five acres of ground and tore away the old mansion and erected a fine mansion, which with its surroundings, forms the finest estate in western Pennsylvania.
West of the Thompson estate was for many years the home of Levi Springer, one of the most prominent citizens of the com- munity in his day. This property became the home of Henry W.
d it te id ıl
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Gaddis, a son-in-law of Levi Springer, who moved here in 1862 On July 28, 1903, Levi S. Gaddis sold this property to George D Howell, who made it his home until he built a more imposing one into which he moved. This is now the beautiful residence of Hon Andrew A. Thompson, son of Josiah V. Thompson.
CHAPTER IX.
EAST MAIN STREET, EAST OF THE EASTERN BRIDGE, INCLUDING LOTS NOS. 1 TO 10 IN HENRY'S ADDITION.
The large stone bridge on East Main street was erected in 1818, by James Kinkead, Gabriel Evans and James Beck, a large contracting firm on the stone work of the National road. Before the construction of this bridge, pedestrians crossed Redstone creek at this place over a foot-log.
Margaret Allen purchased from Henry Beeson two pieces of land east of Redstone creek: one on the north side and the other on the south side of Elbow street, November 3, 1789: the two pieces together a little less than five acres. Mrs. Allen was also the first purchaser of lot No. 21, now the property of the heirs of Hon. Nathaniel Ewing, Sr., opposite the court house. She also owned 350 acres of mountain land in Wharton township. Granny Allen, as she was familiarly known, kept a tavern in a log house which stood on an eminence called "The Pinnacle," opposite the Madison college buildings.
The part of this land lying on the north side of East Main street was sold to Thomas Prentice in 1822. Mr. Prentice located in Uniontown with his family in 1817. His father was a native of Scotland and came to America when quite a young man. Mr. Prentice was an exceedingly industrious and frugal man. He opened a stone quarry, from which he furnished stone for building purposes and for sidewalks. He also ran a hack line between Uniontown and Brownsville for a short time, and did considerable of a livery business besides heavy hauling. He died June 9, 1869. Mr. Prentice left a quite respectable family, of whom Thomas was a well known wagon maker of the town for many years, and An- drew, who was brought here by his parents, having been born on Chestnut street in Philadelphia, September 11, 1815. At 20 years of age, Andrew commenced driving a six-horse team from Wheel- ing to Baltimore over the National road, which occupation he followed for 14 years. He next took the management of the Seaton house for Mrs. Seaton, and four years later, when she sold out, he went in the same capacity to the National house, under the proprietorship of Col. Samuel Elder, two years, and continued one year under Joshua Marsh.
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In 1856, Mr. Prentice rented the store room of John Keffer, on Morgantown street, and there carried on the grocery business for thirteen years, when he sold out to John Keffer, Jr., and re- entered the grocery business on East Main street, where he con- tinued for seven years, when he sold out his business to his nephew, N. P. Cooper, and retired from business. Mr. Prentice always related with pride that he shook hands with General Lafayette, when that renowned personage was touring the United States as the nation's guest, and visited Uniontown in 1825; and with Andrew Jackson, when he stopped over night at the Eagle house on his way to Washington to be inaugurated president of the United States; and with Henry Clay, on his way through Uniontown; and with President R. B. Hayes; with Governor A. G. Curtin ; with President U. S. Grant and with Hon. James G. Blaine.
Uncle Andy, as he was familiarly known, was peculiar in many respects, yet was held in the highest esteem by the com- munity. He was a stalwart Republican, and took a deep interest in the success of his party. He advertised at one time that he would distribute $500 in cash to the poor of Uniontown in presents of $5 each, the only conditions were that they were Republicans and in need of money. Strange to say, the money was never all called for. He left quite an estate, which he generously donated to his worthy relatives.
Back of the Thomas Prentice property was a piece of ground on which John Porter had a still-house, which he operated for some time, but James Gallagher, knowing the demoralizing effect of such a business upon a community, resolved to purchase a piece of ground adjoining on which was located a fine spring from which Porter was piping the water for his still. Mr. Gallagher cut off the piping and Porter was obliged to discontinue his distillery.
John Seiler built some frame houses along the north side of the eastern bridge, which have been used as residences. Mr. Stewart erected one or two for the accommodation of the soldiers' orphan school.
Before 1785, Henry Beeson laid off additional town lots, to the number of ten, east of Redstone creek and fronting on Elbow street. The first seven of these lots were on the north side and the remaining three were located opposite and on the south side of the street. The first of these, designated as No. 1, adjoined the tract already sold to Jonathan Downer, and subsequently known as the Madison college property, and the others in succession to
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and including No. 7, extended to the present Connellsville street, and were severally owned by Richard Thompkins, William Beck- ford, Dr. Solomon Drown, William Grimes or Graham, John Ferris and James Langsby. The three lots, Nos. 8, 9 and 10, on the south side of the street, were purchased by William Merriman.
In the rear of lots Nos. 1 to 7, Dr. Solomon Drown purchased from Henry Beeson a tract of land containing 13 acres, 3 qrs. and 35 perches, January 4, 1796, for which he paid 81 pounds, 3 shillings and 9 pence, a sum equal to $217.40, or less than $16 per acre. A fuller account of Dr. Drown is given elsewhere.
Hon. Andrew Stewart purchased several acres of this Dr. Drown tract and erected a frame dwelling thereon, most beau- tifully located, and here made his home for many years previous to the close of his brilliant and honorable career.
Thomas Irwin, Esq., built a frame house east of town which was later known as the Rev. John Morgan house. In this Matthew Irwin, a brother to Thomas Irwin, lived for some time. Rev. Charles Elliott was a resident here while president of Madison college. Rev. John Morgan owned and occupied this house for several years and died here. Louis D. Beall occupied this house at one time. George Chick was a tenant here for thirteen years. Harold L. Robinson, Esq., purchased this property and tore away the old frame and in 1908 erected a fine modern residence into which he moved in December of that year.
On the east side of what is now Cleveland avenue where it enters East Main street, stood a small frame dwelling and a wagon shop. This at one time was the property and home of Martin Dutton who carried on his occupation as a wagon maker here. John W. Barr purchased this property from Dutton. William Doran, the carpenter, was a tenant here in 1845, and for several years thereafter. William C. Stroud, the carpet weaver, occupied this house for several years and carried on his business of carpet weaving in a small shop in the yard. He was here in 1852. John Crossland, the well-known gunsmith, owned and occupied this property for many years and here carried on his business. He was a splendid workman in his line. Mr. Crossland's son, Albert S., tore away the old buildings and erected a comfortable two-story dwelling in their stead and occupied it as a residence.
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