USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 22
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Lewis M. Dawson purchased the Stewart Row from Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart, widow of Hon. Andrew Stewart, and tore away the southern end and erected a two-story brick business block which extended out to Morgantown street, and in 1886 he built a one-story extension in front of the remainder except in front of No. 1. Among the tenants in the new Dawson block may be mentioned the following: Armor S. Craig, groceries ; John N. Dawson, groceries ; Pittsburgh Five and Ten Cent store,
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notions and toys; Mrs. Anna Collier, millinery; Mrs. Rebecca Smith, millinery ; Samuel Morris, groceries ; Baker and Company, dry goods; George Roth, clothing; S. Brooke, groceries; Scott and Hutchinson, groceries; Moser and Moser, groceries and meat ; Pergy D. Hagan, groceries, and many others.
Jacob Knapp purchased from Henry Beeson a lot contain- ing 157 perches on the south side of South street and running to a point on Morgantown street, May 20, 1795. On this he built a two-story log house, and it is evident from the construction of it that it was intended as a brewery, and as Peter Knapp, most likely a brother, purchased lot No. 1 in Jacob's Addition, where the Thompson-Ruby building now stands, and it is certain the latter carried on a brewery there, it is altogether probable that the two were in some manner connected in business. Jacob Knapp's executor conveyed this property to James Gregg, the proprietor of the old Gregg tavern, and he transferred it to Ann Murphy, his wife's mother, who occupied it at the time of her death, 1814, and by her will it descended to her daughter, Nacca Gregg.
Mrs. Ann Murphy came from near Baltimore, bringing some slaves with her, settled on a farm one mile west of town prior to 1785.
She was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church to which she contributed generously of her means, and she made her home the stopping place of the traveling minis- ters of that denomination.
Her son, Jacob Murphy, married a daughter of Colonel Isaac Meason, the wealthy proprietor of the Mount Braddock farm, and settled on a farm near what is now Mount Braddock station. Her daughter, Ann, married Samuel Stevens, and they were the parents of Priscilla, who became the wife of John M. Austin, a prominent member of the Fayette county bar. Sallie married a Mr. Banning and moved to Ohio. Rachel married Rev. Roberts a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and also moved to Ohio. Nacca, the youngest, married James Gregg, the well- known tavern keeper of East Main street. Mrs. Murphy, known as Mother Murphy, died September 10, 1814, aged 83 years and was buried in the old Methodist graveyard on Peter street.
Nacca Gregg conveyed this property to Abner Greenland, July 15, 1819. Mr. Greenland had previously operated a pottery on Morgantown street next above Foundry street. After locat-
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ing on this lot he conducted a pottery until his death, April 24. 1830, in the 47th year of his age. He was prominent in the busi- ness enterprises of the town and was a man of considerable influence. He was a splendid scribe and a good bookkeeper, and was frequently employed in posting books and clerking at public sales. He was a candidate for the legislature in 1829. His son, Norval, continued the pottery business on this property for many years until the business became unprofitable.
Norval Greenland tore away the old log building, and in con- junction with Daniel Jackson, built the three-story business block which they named " The Commercial Block," in 1889, and in 1900 they conveyed it to Dr. J. W. Jaco.
At the celebration of Uniontown's centennial as a corpora- tion, held July 3-4, 1896, there was unveiled a handsome drink- ing fountain on Morgantown street at the intersection of Church and South streets. The fountain was a gift from the ladies of the Women's Christian Temperance Unions and the "Y's " of Fayette county. Addresses were made by Mrs. E. D. C. Mair of Pittsburgh and Miss Puella Hornblazer of Clintondale, Pa. The presentation speech was made by Mrs. Harry F. Detwiler and the gift was received in the name of the citizens by Josiah V. Thompson, president of the town council.
John Collins purchased from Henry Beeson, May 20, 1795, two acres and 84 perches of land fronting on the east side of Cheat or Morgantown street, extending from what is now the north side of Church street to what is now known as Play- ford's alley. Mr. Beeson reserving the right of way of the old millrace which passed within the northern line of this lot. Mr. Collins is referred to elsewhere as being the proprietor of what was believed to be the first tavern or house of public enter- tainment in the town. He owned other real estate besides this. The frontage of this lot on Cheat street was 338.5 feet, and was purchased for 12 pounds, Pennsylvania money, equal to $32.00.
John Collins' house stood on the northwest corner of this lot on what is now the mouth of Church street. It was a good sized frame building, with two rooms in front. The kitchen stood back and was connected to the front by a covered porch, and an orchard stood in the rear of the house, where the Second Presbyterian church now stands.
Dr. Adam S. Simonson, elsewhere mentioned, at one time occupied this house as an office and residence, and during his
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4 occupancy here he had three students of medicine at one time at his home, and it is related that one night a skeleton was placed in the bed of one of the students and the other two went to bed and anxiously awaited the results of their practical joke. The belated student jumped into his bed without noticing his strange bedfellow, but soon found what had been done. He gave the bones a shove to the far side of the bed, saying, " Lay over, Dry Bones," and soon fell into a sound slumber. Dr. Benjamin Stevens succeeded Dr. Simonson in the occupancy of this property.
John Collins willed this to his son James who conveyed seventy-two and a half feet frontage to Dr. Caleb Dorsey of Morgantown, who conveyed it to Reuben and Ellis Baily who conveyed it to Isaac Wood. Mr. Wood conveyed 40 feet of the northern part of this lot to the borough for the purpose of opening out Market or Church street, and erected on the southern part a brick store room and residence.
John, Isaac 'and Clement Wood, three brothers, came over from England. Clement settled near Philadelphia. Isaac's family consisted of Isaac, Clement, Josiah, Comley, Betty, who married John Lewis, a saddler and the father of the late Marshal N. Lewis, and Rebecca who married Thomas Wathen. Comley lived in the building still standing on the corner of Church and Morgantown streets. He was a saddler by trade. Josiah Wood was a tanner and married Hannah Hopwood. They were the parents of Julia, Priscilla, who married James N. Mackey ; Melvina, who married Daniel Duer; Elizabeth, who married Andrew Keys; Mary Ann, who married Robert Hagan; Sarah, who married a Mr. Rhodes; and John C. a furniture manu- facturer.
This corner room has been occupied by many tenants since its erection. John Sowers was located here with a grocery store and also occupied the adjoining residence. He was at that time one of the substantial business men of the town. His wife was a daughter of Isaac Meason, Jr., of the Mount Brad- dock farm. He was succeeded here by Jacob F. Brant in the same line of business, and Brant was succeeded by C. A. Shel- cutt in 1844. In 1845 Samuel S. Austin was located here with his law office. After Austin's occupancy John F. Teed located here with a restaurant and confectionery and remained for several years. Later tenants were Clement Wood, Allen Bowie,
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Crawford Rose, A. W. Black, John C. Brown, Mrs. Hochheimer and E. W. Trader. The latter conducted the grocery business in this room for eighteen years. ,
Many tenants have occupied the residence part of this prop- erty. Isaac Wood, the builder and owner, died here in 1872. Jacob B. Adams purchased the residence part of this property from Mrs. Frank Jones, a daughter of Isaac Wood and erected the fine three-story building known as the Adams building which was completed in June, 1904. This building has been used principally as a stationery store with living rooms above.
John Hibbon, a hatter by trade, purchased the lot next south of the Isaac Wood lot from Thomas Collins on which was a log house then in the occupancy of Andrew Collins. This property extended from what is now the Adams Building to the Teed House. Into this log building Mr. Hibbon moved his hat shop as early as 1812, after having been in business on West Main street since 1808. Mr. Hibbon fitted up one room for his dye kettles and another for finishing, and lived in a frame house next south. He was a consistent and devout Methodist, and his house was always a home for Methodist preachers, to which they always found a hearty welcome. About 1830 Mr. Hibbon moved to a farm about four miles west of town subsequently known as the Balsinger Plains. He later moved to Ohio and died at Hills- boro, November 8, 1853, at about 70 years of age.
L. W. Stockton purchased what is now known as the A. I. Ellis and the Wallace Miller properties in 1836, and converted part of the former into a store room and occupied it as a general store, principally for the supply of his workmen and stage drivers. At various times in this store were employed as clerks Isaac and Jacob Moreland, George Martin, Andrew Byers, Robert L. Barry, John Keffer and others. This was known as the National Road Stage Company's store, and did a good busi- ness. Mr. Stockton associated Andrew Byers with him January 6, 1836, under the name of Stockton and Byers. After a few years Byers withdrew and John Keffer became associated with Stockton as Stockton and Keffer. Later the firm became Keffer and Company, and finally John Keffer alone in the forties. Mr. Keffer closed out his business in 1852, and William Hill- ing succeeded for a few years with a feed store. Andrew Pren- tice opened a new grocery and provision store in this room, January 1, 1856, and conducted his business here for 13 years,
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when he moved to East Main street, where he continued in busi- ness for 7 years. John Keffer and family owned and occupied the residence part of this property from April 1, 1846 to 1886. A. Inghram Ellis purchased this Keffer property and has since occupied it as a residence and business room for the sale of sew- ing machines and musical instruments.
John Keffer, the son of Christian Keffer, was a quiet, un- assuming man, a good penman and a splendid bookkeeper. He succeeded Col. McClean as Register of Deeds and Recorder of Wills and Clerk of the Orphan's Court, which position he held for two years, having been a former clerk in these offices at the time of Col. McClean's death.
John Hibben erected the large, two-story brick building later known as the John H. Deford property and rented it to different parties while he occupied a frame building on the northern part of this lot. L. W. Stockton purchased this prop- erty in 1836, and for a while it was used as a finishing shop for stage-coaches and the manufacturing of harness. He sub- sequently fitted it up as a residence for his second wife's mother, Mrs. Stockton, and her daughter, Katharine, who subsequently married Samuel S. Austin, Esq. Mr. Stockton built an addition to this property on the north for an office and occupied it as manager of the National Road Stage Company. This office was subsequently occupied by Dr. F. C. Robinson and others.
John H. Deford, Esq., purchased this property November 26, 1847, and occupied it as a residence, and died here in 1856, at the age of 58 years. His widow subsequently married Dr. James Brownfield. John H. Deford's first wife was Miss Biddle of Philadelphia, a cousin to Charles Biddle. She came here to teach school and married Mr. Deford. His second wife was a full cousin, a daughter of John Deford of Hopwood. Their fathers were brothers and their mothers were sisters. They had three daughters and four sons, viz .: John W., Henry, Daniel and James who all went west and became prosperous.
A. M. Gibson purchased the Genius of Liberty printing of- fice in 1868 and moved the equipments of the office to this prop- erty, and for the first time, in the long history of that office the machinery was operated by steam power. In 1872 Mrs. Daniel F. Cooper purchased this property and here resided until 1888, when it was sold to Andrew Prentice who conveyed it to the family of William K. Cooper in 1890, and here several of the
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family resided until 1902, when they conveyed it to Wallace Miller who remodeled it; making a three-story business block of four business rooms on first floor and flats above.
John Vankirk bought the lot on which the New Teed House now stands and built a small frame dwelling, one room and hall down and one room up, on the northwest corner of the lot. Aunty Cox and Fuel, her husband, lived here. Fuel was a chair maker by trade and worked for Mr. Vankirk, and Aunty was a tailoress and made clothing for old Richard Barry and for George W. Rutter when they were in the clothing business.
Jacob F. Brant purchased this property in 1842, and lived in the small frame and carried on gunsmithing in a small frame shop on the southern side of the lot for several years. Brant built a brick dwelling on this lot, which stood back from the street a sufficient distance for the erection of rooms in front. Into this he moved, and the frame was moved to the corner of Union and Foundry streets, where it still forms a part of what was known as " the old red frame," and John Gadd was its first occupant after its removal. Brant, it appears, prospered for a while, and laid off a small addition near the east end of South street, but becoming involved, this property was sold to Eleazer Robinson, and his brother, Dr. F. C. Robinson, became a tenant here for some years. Roberts Barton occupied this little gun shop for a while with a feed and flour store; where he sold the product of his mill on Redstone creek.
Mrs. Sarah Teed purchased this property in 1870, and im- proved it by adding a two-story brick front and here conducted a boarding house until March 26, 1902, when it was nearly de- stroyed by fire. She then erected the present building, which she named the " New Teed House," and here continued to conduct a house of entertainment until her death, March 18, 1907, since which time the business has been continued by her son, Charles G. Teed.
Zadoc Cracraft purchased the lot next south of the Teed House in 1844, and erected thereon a two-story brick residence, standing some distance back from the street.
Miss Esther Jeffries purchased this property March 31, 1853, and erected a two-story brick front to it, and resided here until her death. She conveyed it to her niece, Mrs. Ella Brown, who on March 15, 1909, conveyed it to Charles Titus who con- verted it into business rooms and dwellings.
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A small double-frame house, one and a half-stories high, once occupied the lot on which the present Methodist Episcopal church stands and belonged to the Peter Hook estate; and his daughter, Priscilla, whose husband was the Reverend Thomas Daughaday of the Methodist Episcopal ministry, occupied one side. After the death of Rev. Daughaday, she became the wife of Samuel Dorsey. For many years this property was owned by Frederick Byrer and was occupied by various tenants, among whom was a family by the name of Riddle who had a daughter who disappeared mysteriously. The congregation of the Methodist Episcopal church purchased this lot, and in making the excavation for the new church, human bones were found which recalled the disappearance of the Riddle girl, and the earrings found with the bones were recognized as those of the missing girl. This new house of worship was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God June 1, 1878.
A small two-story red frame dwelling stood next south of the double frame before mentioned, and stood about twenty feet back from the street, with a porch running along the south side. This house was occupied for many years by various ten- nants. This was included in the sale to the Methodist Episcopal congregation, and the site is now occupied by the church.
A small one-story frame building with shed roof was built on a seventeen and a half-foot lot next south of the before men- tioned lot by William T. Busser, a tobacconist, as a shop for carrying on his business. He was located here in 1845. This small building was occupied by various tenants and for different kinds of business. Mrs. Hannah Lincoln became the owner of this property and made it two-stories high and occupied it as a residence until 1899, when William H. Playford purchased the lot and removed the house to the rear and constructed a bay- window and a fine veranda on its site.
Joseph P. McClelland erected the two-story brick residence now known as the Playford property, who with his mother, Becky McClelland, made this his home. He married Amanda, a daughter of Enos West and carried on a tan-yard on a lot in the rear of his residence.
William H. Playford purchased this property, 1867, and greatly enlarged it and made it one of the finest residence prop- erties in the town.
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James McCullock, a blacksmith and cutler, purchased from Henry Beeson, 1790, a tract of nearly nine acres, lining on the east side of Cheat or Morgantown street about 320 feet. This reached from what is now the Playford alley to the alley next south of Fayette street. Much of this tract came into the pos- session of William Lyon who laid off a plan of lots facing on Morgantown street and extending on both sides of Fayette street from Morgantown street eastward a distance of 900 feet. John Lewis purchased the lot next south of the Playford alley and erected thereon a brick residence and occupied it for some years. John Lewis was a son of Jacob Lewis who migrated from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, to Fayette county in 1796, and settled at Minor's mill, about one mile north of Uniontown, coming as a miller for John Minor, bringing his two sons, Free- man and John: Freeman at that time being 16 years of age. He became a pupil at surveying with Col. Alexander McClean, which with that of school-teaching, he followed for many years. He was a resident of Uniontown from 1829, until his death, September 18, 1859. He made a map of Fayette county in 1832, and made connected plots of many of his surveys which were in bound form and were purchased by some of the members of the bar and are still preserved and form a valuable adjunct to the history of the county. He held the position of Deputy Sur- veyor from 1828 to 1836. He was a teacher and composer of music, and published a note-book titled "The Beauties of Harmony " in 1812, and published a revised edition of the same in 1831. He assisted materially in the compilation of data for Judge James Veech's history, "Monongahela of Old ": a very rare and interesting work. John Lewis learned the saddlery trade with John Campbell, and served his country in the war of 1812. He was the father of the late Marshal N. Lewis, Samuel Lewis, Rebecca, who married Thomas Wathen, and Phebe, who married Isaac Wood.
John A. Sangston purchased this property and added the southern part to it. He was appointed to the office of sheriff of the county, October 22, 1829, for three years. He was the oldest son of James Sangston who kept a public house in Mason- town for 40 years. He was elected to fill the unexpired term of Solomon G. Krepps in the State Senate, defeating Col. Buchanan of Greene county for the nomination. After Mr. Sangston's term of office as sheriff had expired he embarked in
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the mercantile business on the corner of Main and Morgan- town streets, and after conducting business a few years, he traded his stock of goods to William Snyder for a farm near Walnut Hill, and Mr. Snyder started his son, Christopher Brown Snyder, in business at Sangston's old stand.
Mrs. Ann Bowie purchased this property in 1839, and it became the home of her son, Lucien B. Bowie, until 1897, when he moved to his farm in Menallen township, where he died September 13, 1907, over ninety years of age. Mr. Bowie will be remembered as one of the old-time druggists of the town, having been engaged in that business for over a half century. This property was purchased by Charles J. McCormick in 1901, and was converted into business rooms and dwelling.
John Bradbury, a thrifty, well-to-do stone-cutter, purchased 100 feet frontage on Morgantown street, beginning at Fayette street and running north to the Lewis lot. On the northern part of this lot Mr. Bradbury erected a double, two-story brick dwelling, the northern part became occupied by William Swear- ingen, known as "River Bill," who was the father-in-law to William McCleary, and who was a merchant in the town. The southern part was occupied by Mr. Bradbury whose wife was Keziah Moore, a daughter of Joseph Moore, who was the step- father of Thomas Fenn, while he occupied the rest of the lot for carrying on his business as a stone-cutter. He ran saws by horse-power for sawing out stone, and did considerable of a business in his line. He owned much other valuable property in the town, and was highly esteemed in the community.
After Mr. Bradbury's death the large stone-yard on the corner of Fayette and Morgantown streets was occupied at different times by others in the stone and marble business, for which purpose a small, one-story frame building was erected. Among those carrying on the tombstone business here may be mentioned Hagan and Cracraft, Joseph White, Sheets and Hagan, Sheets and White, Charles E. and J. Marshall and Joseph R. Marshall.
Teagel Trader purchased this corner lot and erected the present two-story brick business block with dwellings on the second floor. Ernest E. Weniger purchased the whole of the original Bradbury lot which he held for several years. A business room was erected between the Bradbury residence and the Trader building which has been occupied as such since its
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erection. Charles J. McCormick purchased this property, which with the Bowie property makes a frontage of 150 feet.
William Whitten purchased the lot on the south side of Fayette street, having a frontage on that street of 147 feet and a frontage on Morgantown street of 100 feet, for the sum of $500. Mr. Whitten was at one time connected with Col. Wil- liam Redick in the ownership of the Genius of Liberty printing office.
Blanchard's show exhibited on this lot in 1832, this being the second time this celebrated show visited the town. A two- story frame building subsequently occupied this lot which was moved up and across Morgantown street, and was used as a furniture wareroom by Wesley Phillips, and afterwards by Henry T. Diffenderffer and others.
Alfred Patterson purchased this lot about 1841 and erected the present three-story brick building and rented it to Harry Gilbert who conducted a boarding house here for several years, and Mr. Patterson, who was then unmarried, was one of his boarders. After Mr. Patterson's marriage he oc- cupied this property for a short time as a residence. He then built other residence property on Fayette street to which he moved, and this property was used for many years, and in fact, almost ever since its erection, as a boarding and lodging house.
When old Madison college was in the zenith of her glory this building was usually filled with students attending that institution. Harry Gilbert's boarding house was quite popular with the students, and he was succeeded by John F. Jackson, and the house, under the management of Mrs. Jackson, lost none of its prestige as a boarding house. Mrs. Andrew Byers kept boarders here for some time, during which time her husband was employed in steam-boating on the Monongahela and the Ohio rivers. Jonathan Fisher also kept a boarding house here for some time in connection with a small grocery store in the corner room. A number of persons taught select schools in part of this building at various times, among whom may be mentioned Joshua V. Gibbons, who styled his school as "The Union High School," and to be opened Monday, March 22, 1847, for a term of five months, and to be taught by James Lane, A. B. Mr. Lane was reported to have been a most excel- lent teacher.
Joshua V. Gibbons spent his whole life in educational work.
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He was the first to fill the office of superintendent of public schools of Fayette county, which office he filled with signal ability and satisfaction to the people for many years. His large physique and heavily-bearded face gave him an awe-inspiring appearance. William Lyon taught a female seminary here in 1850.
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