USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 20
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Next east of the before-mentioned property stood a log dwell- ing, long owned and occupied by Ephraim Palmer, a well-known colored barber, who with his family, lived here many years. Eph.
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was an artist in his line, and carried on his occupation in various locations in town until compelled by advanced age to retire. He had an estimable wife, and reared a creditable family. His son, Addison, became a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal church. His son, Eph., tore down the old log and erected a frame. This house was the scene of a most shocking murder, January 12, 1901, when Archibald Biggs cut the throat of his wife as she lay in bed. This deed was committed on Saturday and was not discovered until Monday, when parties occupying another part of the house, sus- pecting that something was wrong, had the premises investigated. Biggs fled to Oliver on Monday, and upon the approach of the officers, cut his own throat. They were both buried at the county home in one grave. This house was destroyed by fire as the prop- erty of Oliver G. Chick, October 8, 1901. James H. Dunn, a blacksmith, purchased this lot and erected thereon a modern and comfortable dwelling.
James Langsby purchased from Henry Beeson lot No. 7 in this addition, paying therefor the sum of $25.00. This lot was bounded on the east by a one-hundred acre tract belonging to Jesse Beeson, the oldest son of Henry Beeson. It is now the lot on the corner where Connellsville street enters East Main street. A long frame building once stood on this corner, having a covered porch in front, with hand rail the full length. This porch was a considerable distance off the ground, and entrance was at the east end.
Hannah Sands kept a tavern in this property in the very early history of the town, and subsequently kept in the old Merriman stand, nearly opposite. James Madison succeeded Hannah Sands in the tavern business in this stand and died here and his widow, with the aid of her daughters, continued to conduct the tavern for some time.
In 1828 this property was occupied by William Clark and family. William Clark was a son of Matthew Clark, Sr., and had two brothers, Joseph and Matthew, Jr .; the latter is well remem- bered as one of the old carpenters of the town. William was a weaver by trade and carried on the business in this property. On Friday evening, August 1, 1828, Mr. Clark and his family, consist- ing of his wife and three children, all sat down to a supper con- sisting of mush and milk, all at the time being in good health. A short time after eating, they were taken violently sick at the stomach ; vomiting ensued and all remained in this condition dur- ing the night, but they did nothing further to alleviate their suffer-
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ings than to drink copiously of cold water. The following morn- ing physicians were called, who administered remedies, but to little effect, and at 10 o'clock Oliver, aged six years, died. The consent of his parents being obtained, a post-mortem examination was made, which revealed that poison was the cause of death. The child was buried at 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, but before the funeral took place, Albert, aged three years, died, and about 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, Mrs. Clark, aged about 33 years, also died. The funeral of these two members of the family was announced to take place at 11 o'clock on Monday, and a large concourse of people gathered at the house; but Mr. Clark becoming extremely ill, and hopes of his recovery being abandoned, the funeral of the mother and child was postponed until Tuesday. On Monday evening Mr. Clark also died, aged 35 years. He was conscious of his fate, and died without a murmur. The only member of the family that escaped this distressing calamity was William, then a babe but nine months of age, who, on account of his tender age, had not partaken of the deadly poison. On Tues- day, the father, mother and son were buried at one time in the Baptist graveyard at the head of Morgantown street.
From the suddenness of the deaths, and the distressing cir- cumstances attending them, an unusually large concourse of rela- tives, friends and strangers, estimated to be between 1,000 and 1,200, attended the funeral. It was never ascertained how the poisonous substance found its way into the mush, whether by accident or design, but it was evident that the mush contained the poison that caused the deaths. A cat and dog were fed some of the mush; the cat died and the dog showed evidences of poisoning. William, the babe, who escaped poisoning, was taken by relatives at Brownsville, where he grew up. He came to Uniontown and learned the cabinet-making trade with John Phillips, after which he settled in the West.
Edward Jones occupied this property in 1836, and advertised that he was an itinerant clock fixer. Henry Walters, who sub- sequently owned Dunbar's camp, and still later founded the town of Waltersburg, once occupied this property. William Wood at one time owned and occupied this as a residence. Other tenants were James Becket, William Braden and George Miller. The com- fortable brick residence and store room of E. K. Snyder now occupy the site of these old buildings.
Jesse Beeson purchased from Henry Beeson a tract of 99
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acres, 1 qr. and 29 perches of land for the sum of $1,000. This tract was at the junction of Connellsville and Coolspring streets with East Main and extended eastward to the limit of Mr. Bee- son's tract, and comprised land on both sides of East Main street.
Mr. Beeson erected a two-story frame house in the fork between Coolspring and East Main streets, and here resided until his death, March 11, 1826. He laid off a part of this tract on the south side of East Main street into town and out lots, which is shown on the plan book in the recorder's office.
Jesse Beeson was the oldest child of Henry Beeson, the founder of the town, and was born at Martinsburg, Va., Decem- ber 5, 1767, and was carried over the mountains when a small babe, on horseback, in the spring of 1768, at which time his parents settled west of the mountains. He was a bright and ambitious young man, and a most excellent penman, as the records in the office of the county commissioners, where he was employed as clerk for that board from November 23, 1802, to April 25, 1808, will show. He was editor and proprietor of the Genius of Liberty as early as 1809, until 1818; he filling the office of coroner of the county in the meantime from 1812 to 1817, and treasurer of the county from 1814 to 1818. Mr. Beeson's first wife was a Miss Campbell, and his second wife was Miss Elizabeth Skiles, a sister to Robert and Isaac Skiles, both prominent merchants of the town in their day. Mr. Beeson had two children by the second wife. His widow subsequently married Rev. James Guthrie, the well remembered Presbyterian minister, who was pastor of the Laurel Hill church of that denomination from 1804 until his death, August 4, 1850. After the death of Rev. Guthrie, his widow married for her third husband, Jonathan Vankirk, whom she survived. She died in Uniontown June 26, 1886, aged 94 years, 3 months and 10 days.
Richard Beeson succeeded Jesse Beeson in the ownership and occupancy of this residence. He embellished the property, and together with its beautiful location, it was a most desirable resi- dence. Richard Beeson was a son of Jacob Beeson and grandson of the founder of the town, and a brother of Isaac Beeson, the merchant. He was admitted to the bar of Fayette county Novem- ber, 1816; was appointed to the office of prothonotary, July 11, 1833, which office he filled until January 13, 1836. He was again appointed to the same office February 6, 1839, and elected October 8, 1839, and served until succeeded by Daniel Kaine, who was
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elected October 11, 1842. Mr. Beeson at one time owned and resided in what was known as the Robert L. Barry property west of town, where the palatial residence of J. V. Thompson now stands. He was not only prominent and successful at the bar, but was popular as an orator and writer. Some of his productions are still preserved.
Mr. Beeson moved to Pittsburgh, where he became prominent as a lawyer and where he died in April, 1864, leaving a son and two daughters, Mrs. Reed Johnson and Miss Ella, the artist.
Harry Gilbert lived in this property in 1842-43, and kept boarders and for a while taught school.
Richard Huskins occupied this residence for some time. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and education and fitted himself for the law. He served as clerk for the county com- missioners from November 16, 1842, to December 1, 1848, and was elected prothonotary October 10, 1848, and again October 15, 1851, and was succeeded by R. T. Galloway, 1854. In 1856, he removed to a farm in Johnson county, Iowa, and subsequently to the village of Lone Tree, where he carried on the business of a general store, and also served as a justice of the peace and town- ship clerk for several years. He was born in Chester county, Pa., October 21, 1803, and on February 15, 1827, he was married to Miss Charlotte Wells, by whom he had twelve children. Mr. and Mrs. Huskins celebrated their golden wedding at the home of their son, John P. Huskins, February 15, 1877. Mr. Huskins died at his home at Lone Tree, September 11, 1885, within less than one month after receiving the appointment of postmaster at that place.
Benjamin Frazer, whose wife was an Amos of near Baltimore, and a sister to Harry Gilbert's wife, settled here on account of his health, and purchased this property and lived here until his death. He was buried in the Baptist cemetery. His widow married John Miller, the tanner, of Mill street, and lived here until they moved to Rockford, Il1.
Isaac Doran lived here awhile, as did James Darby. F. B. Titlow owned and occupied this property, and sold to Isaac Mess- more, who improved the dwelling and erected a two-story brick store room and dwelling near the point and lining on Main street, in which he kept a store. This store was sold to Thomas Wood, who ran it five months and sold it to E. K. Snyder, who sold to John D. Ruby, who sold to George H. Miller, who ran it fifteen years, until 1898, when he moved across the street, and this build-
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ing was torn down. I. L. Messmore succeeded his father as occu- pant of this residence, and put considerable repairs on it and made it a very desirable residence.
Daniel J. Johnson bought this property, removed the old build- ings and erected a very fine modern residence in 1899, which has since been owned and occupied by other parties.
A magnificent spring is located near this residence, which fur- nishes an abundant flow of pure water, and supplies a public water- ing trough on Stewart avenue, and is a never-failing blessing to the inhabitants of that section of the town.
On the eastern part of this property, on the corner of Grant and East Main streets, stood a small log building, once owned and occupied by Wayne Belt, and later used as a blacksmith shop. The school board of Union borough, in 1906, purchased this lot, front- ing 160 feet on East Main street, and erected thereon a fine two- story vitrified buff brick school house at a cost of $37,000, which was opened for occupancy Monday, September 16, 1907, with John Hopwood as principal, and an enrollment of over 200 pupils.
The frame house on the east side of Grant street was the home of Joseph and Teney Blue, the parents of John and Isabell Blue. A school teacher by the name of Billings taught a colored school in part of this building at one time. He also taught in the colored church on Morgantown street for a while.
The next house east was occupied by Georgianna Bruce, who married Wesley Fox, a barber. Elias Beasell once occupied this house. The next property is the home of Joseph Black, who does hauling with a one-horse team. Next east, Thomas Lawson owned a long, one-and-a-half-story frame building, which he occupied for many years as a residence and shoe shop. He was formerly a slave, was a good citizen and highly respected, and raised a respect- able family. His son, Robert, succeeded in the occupancy of this property with a small store. The son, Edward, moved to Canada, where he became thrifty, and died at Windsor, Michigan, June 13, 1897, where he had filled the office of town councilman.
East of the Lawson property, John Page, in 1905, erected a respectable two-story frame building intended for a public house. Mrs. John H. Trimble lived in a frame house east of the Page house. Boggus Johnson owned and lived on the lot next west of Baker alley. Boggus was well known in the town in his day. His son-in-law, James Jordan, succeeded in the ownership and occu-
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pancy of this property. It is now the home of Silas S. Carter, the fish vender.
Joseph Black owned and lived in a house up Baker alley, and his daughters, Margaret and Josephine, continued to occupy it for many years after the death of their parents. William Froman lived at the upper end of Baker alley, now the property of Rev. Thomas Ford. Kitty Green owned a house in Baker alley, on the east side.
Ray Wood purchased the first lot east of Baker alley and tore away. the two-story frame house formerly owned by Isaac Skinner, and later occupied by Jim Blair, and built thereon a com- fortable frame dwelling some distance back on the lot and occu- pied it as a residence. Mrs. Nellie Wood, a widow, owned and lived in a small, one-story frame house on this lot, which was also torn away. The African Methodist Episcopal Zion church was organized September 19, 1849, and the members fitted up a small log meeting-house on the lot on which their present church now stands. The log building was replaced by a neat brick building in 1873. A frame parsonage stands on the lot east of the church.
John Manaway owned and occupied the lot next east of Smothers alley. George Halfin bought this lot and erected thereon a comfortable frame residence, which is now owned and occupied by John R. Kuhns. John Wood lived in a small stone house east of the Kuhns house, and some time after his death his son, Thomas, built a dwelling in front of it, while his mother continued to occupy the stone house. The frame took fire while building and was con- siderably damaged and was sold to George Halfin, who removed it to the Manaway lot and it is now the Kuhns home. Jimmy Wood kept a small store in a building just east of the before- mentioned property, and some years after his death, his grandson, Thomas S. Wood, built on its site a modern brick residence. He also erected a frame dwelling east of the brick, and occupied it as such.
James Wood, a major in the Mexican war, resided in a small ยท frame house, still standing, near the junction of East Fayette with East Main street, and here his family continued to reside for many years.
Evans M. Jeffries built a frame residence east of the Wood property, which he continues to occupy. Mrs. Mary Lewis, widow of James Lewis, built a frame dwelling opposite the mouth of Fayette street, on East Main street, where she made her home.
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George Whyel purchased this property from the executor of Mrs. Lewis' will, and greatly improved it and occupied it. A small frame house once stood just east of the stream that crosses the pike, east of the borough line, in which the mother of Billy Ander- son once lived. Billy Anderson will be remembered as the " Mas- cot " of the old White Swan tavern, where he sawed wood and did chores about the house. Wilbert Crossland, son of Greenberry Crossland, Jr., built in 1907, a frame dwelling some distance back from the road and west of the Crossland mansion.
Dennis Springer purchased from Henry Beeson 72 acres and 8 perches of land, March 19, 1790, for 144 pounds. This reached the eastern limit of Mr. Beeson's tract. Here Mr. Springer, who was the pioneer of the numerous Springer family in this section, erected his dwelling on the old road leading from Woodstock, as the village of Hopwood was then called, to Uniontown. This was a frame building with a checkered front, and here Mr. Springer lived when he erected the first brick court house Fayette county erected, in 1795. Mr. Springer was a man of more than ordinary. energy and business capacity.
Charles Brown purchased the Dennis Springer tract, and about 1806 erected a new frame residence a little nearer the National road than the original Dennis Springer house. He sold to Green- berry Crossland, who made this his home for about forty years. Mr. Crossland came to Uniontown in 1822, and engaged in the butchering business for several years, and later became an extensive cattle drover, by which he amassed a considerable fortune which he invested in real estate. His son, Greenberry, Jr., inherited this estate and erected a fine modern brick residence immediately in front of the old house, upon the completion of which, in 1900, he tore away the old home.
Frank Crossland built a frame residence on the south side of the pike.
Billy Rankin purchased this and made it his home.
The McFarland Planing Mill company erected some small houses, seven in number, on the south side of East Main street, im- mediately west of the bridge at the eastern limit of the borough, which have been occupied by various tenants. William A. Mc- Dowell became possessed of these houses, and they are still held by his heirs. On the night of November 30, 1903, a fire broke out in one of these houses, in which Mrs. Lydia Reckard lived, which
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entirely destroyed the house, and Mrs. Reckard was burned to death. This is the first fatality of the kind in the history of the town.
Dr. R. P. McClellan built a comfortable two-story frame dwelling just west of the McDowell row, for a home for his father, who occupied it until his death, after which his widow continued to occupy it. William E. Chick built a fine two-story brick resi- dence immediately east of the junction of East Fayette with East Main street and occupied it for some time. John Todd bought this property and improved it and lived here for some time. McClel- land Leonard succeeded Todd in the ownership of this property and still occupies it. Frank Dey owned and William T. Beggs oc- cupied the first frame house west of the mouth of East Fayette street. John Mossburg built and occupied the second frame house west of the mouth of East Fayette street.
Cato Webster, one of the old-time darkies of the town, owned and occupied a one-story plank house with no floor, and his faithful wife, Hannah, did washing and gathered herbs for sale. John Dutton built the one-story frame now standing on this lot. and made it his home until his death. It is now owned by Armor S. Craig and now occupied by an automobile garage.
Joseph Wares was one of the best-known darkies of the town in his day. He was born a slave, and his freedom papers record that Solomon Parson, of Randolph county, Va., doth hereby manu- mit and set at liberty his negro man, Joseph Wares, about 33 years of age, dated September 27, 1830. Joe bought a small lot and lived next west to Cato Webster in a log house, where he made his home from 1836, till the time of his death. Joe was an indus- trious and law-abiding man, his principal occupation was making and carrying mortar, and he was the favorite bell-ringer of the town to announce all the public sales, which he did in a sonorous voice, which attracted attention. His importance in his neighborhood acquired for him the sobriquet of Governor of Hayti, by which he was generally known. Henry Cunningham bought this property and tore away the Wares' log house and erected a two-story plank house and occupied it. Mrs. Jane Tompkins was a later occupant.
Joseph Jackson owned and occupied a two-story plank house west of Joe Wares, and is still standing. Mrs. Isaac Skinner was a later tenant. It is now the property of R. D. Warman.
Jemima Hall, a well-known colored woman, owned and occu- pied a small two-story frame house and died here. It was later
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occupied by Tom Maple, and owned by McClelland Leonard. The building was removed to the rear of the lot.
Alonzo Beckett built a two-story brick garage in 1911 next west of the Jemima Hall lot. He also built a modern frame residence opposite Baker alley in 1905, and sold it to Charles W. Hart, who, after occupying it a while, sold it to Peter Jacoby.
Jacob Gallagher owned a one-story white frame next west of the Beckett house, and George Skinner was a tenant here for many years. An Italian family occupied it later. James Jordan, a son- in-law of Boggus Johnson, built, occupied and died in a small frame next west. Tommy Gilbert, who married a daughter of Jane Cran- shaw, lived in a one-story frame, now owned by George Black, who married Jane Cranshaw.
Nancy and Mary Macahan, two maiden sisters, well-known in the town as confectioners, lived in a small frame, and were burned out. The lot is now occupied by a small frame, owned by George or Noah Thomas. Henry Offitt, a respectable colored confectioner of the town, owned property and was a resident of Hayti.
Mrs. Mary Ryan built and occupied a frame residence on the south side of East Main street, east of Grant street. George Mc- Clure, son of Wellington McClure, owned and occupied until his death, a neat frame west of Mrs. Ryan, which his widow later occupied. The congregation of the Mount Rose church erected a frame meeting-house next west of the above, and here worshiped until they built a much more pretentious one on Grant street.
John Bolen built a frame two-story residence on the southeast corner of Grant and East Main streets. He was a son-in-law of Boggus Johnson, and lived here for some time. Simon Johnson bought this property and lived here until his death. Sophia and Elias Miller bought this property and made it their home.
Ed. Butler built a two-story frame store room and residence on the southwest corner of Grant and East Main streets, and occu- pied it as a residence and grocery store. James Graham, son-in- law of Stephen Becket, built a frame residence next west of the Butler house, and lived there, and sold it to Henry O. Francis, who made it his home.
The borough bought a lot from James A. Williams and in 1907, erected thereon a two-story buff brick building for the use of the Union Hose company. James A. Williams built a fine, two-story buff brick residence in 1903, which he continues to occupy. Next
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west of this he erected a frame residence in 1880, which he occu- pied until he built the brick, when he sold to David R. Trader.
Charles H. Livingstone built a frame store room and dwelling in 1880, and lived and carried on the grocery business here until his death, October 28, 1897. Mrs. Sarah A. Keenan bought this prop- erty, and continued the grocery business.
Adolph Shipley built the frame next west of the Livingstone property and here lived for several years. He sold to his brother, Milford, who also occupied it for several years. It later came into the ownership of William Rankin.
Daniel P. Gibson built a two-story frame tenement next east of the old brick, about 1900, which has been occupied by various tenants.
Joshua Hart erected the large brick building east of Stewart avenue, and advertised, June 7, 1817, that he had lately opened a house of public entertainment at the sign of the "Unicorn," at the east end of Main street, and in 1820, he announced that he had opened a commission store at the same place. He taught in the old Union academy for a while. He and Sol. G. Krepps and Col. Sam. Evans were candidates for assembly in the fall of 1827.
Harry Gilbert kept a house of public entertainment in this building in 1836, and he was succeeded by Mathias Frey in the same business. Rev. Geo. Brown kept a boarding house here and boarded students attending Madison college. A Mr. Brimmer, a mail con- tractor on the National road, occupied this house for a while, as did John Bryan, C. E. Swearingen, Redding Bunting, F. B. Titlow, John Allen Messmore, C. H. Livingston and many others. Hon. John Dawson owned this property for many years. It now be- longs to the heirs of Daniel P. Gibson.
A brick house stood next west of the large brick just described, which was built by Levi Downer and occupied by various tenants.
Stephen Becket bought this from Isaac Skiles and tore away the old brick and erected the present two-story frame dwelling and store room, and his widow occupies the dwelling, and George H. Miller moved into the store room in 1898, and conducted a grocery here until his death, and he was succeeded in the business by his son, Clyde B. Miller, who continued the business here until 1913.
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