USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 23
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Cuthbert Collingwood Hope, a retired capitalist and woolen- mill owner and operator of Mexico, purchased this property and kept boarders here for several years. He was a gentleman of con- genial disposition, and his relation of his travels was exceedingly interesting to his many friends. He was born in Liverpool, England, April 6, 1806, and at his baptism Admiral Colling- wood, the friend and successor to Lord Nelson, after whom he was named, stood as his godfather. In 1829 he went to Mexico and engaged with his brother, Archibald Hope, in the manu- facture of cotton and woolen goods. He crossed the Atlantic ocean more than thirty times in attending to his business. He had bought nearly all the cotton and woolen machinery in the valley of Mexico at the date of his departure from that country. He traveled extensively over France, Holland and Belgium. In 1857, one of his factories burned, and his loss was estimated at $350,000. He then retired from business and came to the United States in 1860, and came to Uniontown in 1861. In 1869 a move was inaugurated to establish a woolen-mill in this town, in which Mr. Hope was the prime mover, and in which he took much interest. This enterprise was successfully conducted on the corner of Ray and Mill streets, at the site of the old tan-yard, until 1879, when the plant was entirely destroyed by fire. After a residence of 21 years, Mr. Hope died in this property, June 14, 1882, leaving a widow; one son, William Henry Hope, a member of the Fayette county bar; and one daughter, Emma, the wife of Lieutenant-Governor John Latta of Greensburg. The widow returned with her son to Mexico.
William H. Playford purchased this property July 21, 1882, and it is continued to be used as a boarding and lodging house.
A small frame house on this lot, just south of the large brick, has always belonged to this property, and has been occu- pied by various tenants as a dwelling. John Carothers, a well remembered shoemaker of the town, lived here, and made the bricks for the large brick building, and the late Thomas Jaquette
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sanded the molds for Mr. Carothers. This little house was en- larged and improved by Mr. Playford.
The alley just south of the foregoing property marked the southern limit of the William Lyon plan of lots, and ran east- ward to his eastern limit.
South of the foregoing alley, and extending southward to the old Great Bethel Baptist church at the head of Morgantown street, on the east side, and down the west side of said street as far as Foundry alley, Henry Beeson laid off a number of lots which he named "Henry's Addition." These lots were thirty in number, each having seventy-two and a half feet frontage on Cheat or Morgantown street and running back 150 feet. These were put on sale in 1793, and many were sold at the trifling sum of six pounds, Pennsylvania money, equal to $16.
Lot No. 1 in Henry's Addition was the first lot south of the alley before mentioned and was sold to John Ward, April 18, 1797, for six pounds. In 1800 John Ward sold this lot to Dr. Adam S. Simonson, elsewhere mentioned, and moved to Steuben- ville, Ohio, where he became prothonotary and clerk of the courts, which position he held for ten years. His wife was Ann McClean, the oldest child of Colonel Alexander McClean. They were the parents of the first white female child born in Steubenville and of the second male child born there. Mr. Ward was a good scholar, a fine penman and a prosperous business man.
Samuel Lewis, a tailor by trade, and a son of Jacob Lewis, built the brick residence on this lot and occupied it as such for some time. William McDonald at one time owned and occu- pied this property. His wife was a sister of Joseph Pennock and of the first Mrs. Isaac Beeson. Her first husband was Cap- tain John Connell, who had been a sea captain of Marcus Hook. Her son, George Connell, became a state senator from Philadelphia. She came to Uniontown and kept boarders and taught school. She was a brilliant lady and wrote poetry of considerable merit under the nom de plume of "Cornelia." An idea of the style of Mrs. McDonald's composi- tion may be found from her account of an incident that trans- pired in Uniontown on the 4th of March, 1840, during the ex- citing campaign of Gen. William Henry Harrison for the presi- dency. The article was headed; " A Pageant and a Funeral," and read thus :
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" March the fourth, 1840, dawned auspiciously, and was a beautiful day. It was Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. There seemed enthusiasm in the gentle pulsations of the fresh, dew-washed morning air as is oft' felt on the eve of eventful occasions. All nature seemed to inspire such a thrill. The firm, icy grip of winter had gradually loosened under the balmy breeze, tempered by the rich, mellow sunshine. The first van- guard of the robin, fresh from the far sunny south, were cheerily prospecting the most desirable homestead sites amid the cherry and pear trees. The fields of wheat were carpeted in royal emerald. It was the Whigs' rallying day at Uniontown; the campaign being noted for the unusual enthusiasm developed in the interests of General William Henry Harrison as candidate for the presidency. Gaily decorated vehicles with uniformed horsemen as out-riders, heralded by fife and drum, approached the town by many serpentine routes, and finally were assigned positions in the serried ranks."
A procession of far different import, of sombre hue, was forming at Mount Braddock March 4, 1840, a spot sacredly his- torical through the frequent associations of Gen. Washington. It was the funeral cortège of Mrs. Elizabeth Meason Murphy, widow of Jacob Murphy, one of those hardy pioneers who built for us better than they knew, both in matters of church and of state. She had been an aggressive church worker. Her home and her massive barn were ever wide open to the itinerant preacher, where master and slave worshiped in common, and now so near the anniversary of the resurrection of our Lord, her summons comes. After threading the long, narrow lane with its stately walnut and locust trees as sentinels, the main thoroughfare was traversed, mingling over and anon with the gay cavalcade. The narrow streets of the town are crowded with prancing steeds. The air was rent with loud, continued huzzahs. The side streets were sought to reach the burial ground adjoining the Methodist church, where, twenty-seven years prior, she had buried her husband, Jacob Murphy, one of the charter members of the church, where with life's burdens and cares as pillows they sleep the years away, apparently almost forgotten and unknown; away from the din and disappointments of life, unheeding the hollow pageantry in crowds still passing by. If the roll could be called of the throng present on that eventful springtide, on whatever errand bent, either of mirth or
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sorrow, how very few could answer. Mrs. Elizabeth Meason Kerr of Uniontown was an occupant of one of the funeral car- riages, driven by Capt. John Sowers. The following lines, rela- tive to the occasion were from the pen of Mrs. McDonald :
" From north, south, east and west they come, The gathering ranks in long array, With stirring music, trump and drum, And many a banner streaming gay.
The prancing horses spurn the street, And proudly forth their riders bear ;
While crowding chariots rush to meet And mingle in the pageant there.
But see ! amid the gazing throng, Diverse from all, approaches one,
Silent and slow she moves along, Compassed with crowds and yet alone.
Her hands no snowy 'kerchief waves ; No kindling beam illumes her eyes;
Her listless ear no sound receives Though shouts triumphant rend the sky.
No sign of fear or woe or bliss Escapes her as she journeys on ;
The wing of dark forgetfulness Hath shrouded all beneath the sun.
Far different trumpet summoned her From that which greets our ears today ! Its pealing blast with power severe, Shook to the earth her walls of clay.
Far different too the mighty crowds Where she and I again shall meet ; When Christ, the Judge, descends in clouds To call the nations to His seat.
Oh, wondrous contrast! Now we gaze On serried ranks 'till sight grows dim ; Then fixed in awe and deep amaze, Lo! every eye shall look on Him."
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Mrs. McDonald died while occupying this house, from cancer of the breast, about 1842. Soon after her death Mr. Mc- Donald married the daughter, which act made him so unpopular that he soon left the town and took to a wandering life.
This property was occupied by a number of tenants of whom may be mentioned, Charles P. Austin, James Thorndell, Ellis Y. Beggs and others. R. M. Modisette purchased this property and occupied it for a number of years. John W. Barr, who had been a confectioner on Main street for many years, retired from business and purchased this property and died here April 14, 1879. Sanford Claggett purchased this from Elizabeth Barr March 8, 1886, and made it suitable for two families. A. I. Ellis purchased this property.
William Snyder, who served as sheriff of Fayette county from January 1, 1848, for three years, erected the two-story brick dwelling on the southern part of this lot. He occupied it much of the time as a residence, but while living elsewhere it was rented to various tenants, among whom may be mentioned Samuel S. Austin, Esq., who was an occupant here at the time of his accidental death, as related elsewhere; Rev. Theodore S. Rumney, an Episcopal clergyman; Joshua Marsh; Rev. Israel D. King, a Baptist clergyman and E. P. Oliphant, Esq. The Episcopal church bought this property March 10, 1871, after which it was occupied by Rev. R. S. Smith as a parsonage until his death, and on April 1, 1893 it was sold to Mrs. Jennie Thorndell who made it her home.
John Ward purchased also No. 2 in Henry's Addition, May 22, 1795, for six pounds, and after passing through several hands, the northern part of it came into the possession of Rev. Thorn- ton Fleming, May 22, 1815. Rev. Fleming lived in a log house which was plastered on the outside. He built the brick dwelling on the southern part of his lot. He was a Methodist Episcopal preacher, and remained in Uniontown a number of years, and was beloved by all who knew him. He was a member of the M. E. church for 61 years, and a minister of that denomi- nation for 57 years; holding a superannuated connection for 8 or 10 years. He died at the residence of his son-in-law, Rev. David Sharp, at Elizabeth, Pa., in 1846, aged 82 years.
Armstrong Hadden purchased this property from Rev. Thornton Fleming, April 1, 1839, and moved into the log dwell- ing and used the brick as a shop where he manufactured wagons
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and buggies. Mr. Hadden sold the brick to Miss Julia Wood and tore away the old log house and erected the present brick dwelling, which he sold to his father-in-law, Joseph McClean who occupied it for several years. Joseph McClean was the son of James McClean who was a brother of Col. Alexander Mc- Clean, and was born and raised on a farm located a short dis- tance north of the village of Hopwood. He died in this house in 1865, and his widow died here in 1883. '
O. J. Sturgis purchased this property from the heirs of Joseph McClean in 1883, and made this his home for several years, when he sold to William Carter, the celebrated ice-cream manufacturer and caterer, who carried on his business here until his death, June 9, 1904. His widow sold the property to W. S. Trax since which it has been occupied by various tenants.
Miss Julia Wood purchased the two-story brick once used as a shop by Armstrong Hadden, and since as a dwelling by different persons. Miss Wood occupied this as a dwelling and carried on her business as a dress-maker for several years. She sold it to Judge James Veech for a home for Sallie Gardner, an old domestic in the Veech family. Henry Farwell, A. I. Ellis, Mrs. Jennie Thorndell and others have owned and occupied this property. Mrs. Thorndell sold it to W. S. Trax, the present owner and occupant.
Armstrong Hadden erected a small, two-story brick building on the southern part of lot No. 2, which he used as a finishing shop in the manufacture of wagons, etc. He carried on busi- ness here for several years, and then converted the building into a dwelling, which he continued to occupy as such the remainder of his life. He extended a row of small dwellings, seven in number, in the rear of his dwelling, back to the rear of the lot. These he rented for the sum of $24 per year each. The tenants were principally stage-drivers employed on the old National road. This row of houses was torn away in the early sixties. After the death of Armstrong Hadden, October 9, 1872, his widow still continued to occupy the property until her death, June 19, 1895; the heirs then sold it to James Hadden who continues to occupy it.
John Stockwell purchased lot No. 3, May 22, 1795, and after several conveyances it came into possession of Nancy Harman, a colored woman, who lived in a small frame house on the northern part of the lot. Her administrator conveyed this
THE OLD BEESON MILL.
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property to Samuel McDonald, who in 1844, conveyed the same to Armstrong Hadden. Mr. Hadden removed the frame dwell- ing to the southern part of the lot, which he conveyed to George W. Martin, retaining the northern half of the lot. George W. Martin was formerly employed as a clerk in L. W. Stockton's store, and married Rebecca Seaton, daughter of James Seaton, and lived in this property. He became a member of the mer- cantile firm of Sowers and Martin and was highly respected. He moved to Lancaster, Ohio.
Andrew B. Bryson purchased 36.5 feet of the southern part of lot No. 3 and greatly enlarged and otherwise improved the property and occupied it as a residence until his death, June 15, 1899, in his 80th year. He was a carpenter by trade, and was a man of most excellent character. His daughter, Mrs. Emma Hickman, still owns the property.
Thomas Chaplin purchased lot No. 4, which faced 51 feet on Cheat street, July 9, 1803; the price paid was 7 pounds, 18 shillings and 4 pence, a sum equal to $21.10. Chaplin sold this lot to James Fletcher. A small log house stood back on this lot which was occupied at different times by various ten- ants, among whom were Silas Millhouse, a relative of James Fletcher, and a cabinet maker by trade; Fred Shutee; Thomas Miller; George White, a blacksmith employed at the stage- yard; Bud Hendricks, a stage driver; Addis Linn and others. The executors of James Fletcher sold this lot in 1838, at which time it contained a frame house and a log dwelling. The frame house had been removed from Main street when Robert Skiles built the brick residence and store room on its site, in which his brother, Isaac, did business and lived.
Jesse King, a blacksmith, once owned and occupied this property, and died here. It was next sold to Mrs. Kit Stuck, wife of Cary Stuck, a shoemaker, who lived here for several years, but the property reverted back to the heirs of Jesse King. Philip Bogardus, a coach and carriage trimmer, and Thomas King, a blacksmith, were occupants here.
The congregation of the First Presbyterian church pur- chased 36.5 feet frontage of this lot and tore away the frame house and erected on its site a two-story brick parsonage. This was occupied by their minister, Rev. Dr. A. S. Milholland, from the time of its completion until his death. It was soon there- after occupied by Rev. William Hamilton Spence until the com-
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pletion of the new manse in 1908, when it was sold to Dr Charles Smith, who improved it and occupied it as a residence
John Walters purchased lot No. 5 in Henry's Addition February 27, 1802, for $24; fronting 72.5 feet on Cheat street Roberts Barton a Quaker by faith and a miller by occupatior. owned and occupied a weather-boarded log house on this lot for many years. Mr. Barton was born in Bucks county, Pa., in 1787, and when ten years of age his parents moved to Fayette county and settled in Menallen township near New Salem. He served in the war of 1812, along the northern lakes, under General Harrison, and remained until peace was declared. He was commander of the Pennsylvania Blues, a local company, in 1815. He was appointed register and recorder of the county, January 13, 1836, which office he filled for three years. His second wife was Jane Skiles, the widow of Henry Beeson, Jr., a son of Henry Beeson, the founder of the town. His daughter, Sarah, married James P. Hedges ; Rachel married John S. Harah ; Martha married Clark Robinson; Hannah married Jesse B. Baily and died in Clayton county, Iowa.
Mrs. Jane Gray purchased this property and occupied it for several years with her family. George Grimes added a small store room on the north in 1900, in which he kept a grocery store. Chads Stewart purchased this property and oc- cupied both the house and store room.
John Walters and Nancy, his wife, for $110, transferred to Louis Lewis part of lot No. 5, August 25, 1803. Louis Lewis was a Revolutionary soldier and served under General La- fayette, and when that distinguished personage, as the guest of the nation, visited Uniontown, Mr. Lewis was accorded a seat at the banquet table. Mr. Lewis and his wife conducted a small bakery and cake shop in their residence, which was a log build- ing of one room and hall down and one room up, with kitchen back, connected by a porch :
Their daughter, Polly, inherited this property, and in her old age she married Lewis Clemmer, a saddler by trade, who came to this town to work on government artillery harness then being manufactured by Fuller and Wood in the Tremont build- ing. Mrs. Clemmer disposed of this property by giving it to Mrs. Kate Mitchell Hoop for caring for her the remainder of her life. Edgar S. Hackney purchased this property and it was destroyed by fire December 2, 1908, and the lot lay vacant for
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several years, when Mrs. Jennie Thorndell purchased it and in 1912, erected the present brick residence.
Isaac Young purchased lots Nos. 6 and 7 in Henry's Ad- dition, September 1, 1795, for 12 pounds ; these lots fronting 145 feet on Cheat street. Young conveyed the same to Pierson Sayers, Nov. 2, 1801, and Sayers conveyed to Gilbert Stiles, a shoemaker by trade, who lived in a small log house on the southwest corner of No. 7, now the corner of Morgantown and Foundry streets, and from whom it was sold by the sheriff, August 2, 1822. Isaac Beeson, on Dec. 5, 1840, conveyed this to Joseph Moser who conveyed the two lots to Eleazer Robinson, March 28, 1845, for $750.00.
Eleazer Robinson was born in Bethel, Windsor county, Vermont, March 4, 1804. He was the son of Eleazer and Ex- perience (Downer) Robinson, and engaged in farming and school teaching in Saratoga county, to which place his parents had moved in 1810. In 1824, his parents removed to Broome county where he studied surveying and afterwards, law. He embarked in the lumber business at Oswego, where a freshet swept away a fortune in lumber. He then moved to Erie and engaged in the drug business, where he remained three years. While here he made the acquaintance of Jonathan Hathaway who was leav- ing the United States to escape imprisonment for debt, and Mr. Robinson negotiated with that gentleman for his patent right and patterns for the manufacture of the famous cooking stove which still bears the name of the inventor. Mr. Robinson next located in Pittsburgh and began the manufacture of Hathaway stoves, but his foundry soon being destroyed by fire, he located in Uniontown in 1837, and erected a foundry which he put in operation in 1840. He made his stoves and other castings at Wharton and at Redstone furnaces before building his foundry in Uniontown. His brother, Clark Robinson, was in partner- ship with him here at first, but the latter took charge of a branch foundry at Washington, Pa., and he was succeeded here by Amos R. Frisbee.
Mr. Robinson lived on Union street when his first wife, who was Miss Cornelia Wells of New York, N. Y., died in 1845. On November 6, 1846, he married Miss Mary Ann McClelland, daughter of William McClelland, the tavern keeper, who died childless in 1850. He was again married, on Nov. 24, 1852, to Mrs. Elizabeth J. Porter, daughter of James Wilson of German
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township, who died April 29, 1881. Mr. Robinson erected the large brick residence on lot No. 6, in 1847, and occupied it as such the remainder of his life. He died March 29, 1889.
Mr. Robinson erected a large frame building on the rear of lot No. 7 where he carried on the foundry business under the name of the Union Foundry until January 2, 1867, when he sold this foundry property and fixtures to Thomas Jaquette and Joseph Keffer who conducted the business as Jaquette and Kef- fer some ten years, at which time Mr. Jaquette became sole owner, and in connection with his sons, Nathaniel and Andrew D., he conducted the business until compelled by age, he re- tired, leaving the foundry in charge of his sons.
The street between lots Nos. 7 and 8 of Henry's Addition was left open by Henry Beeson, the founder of the town, for access to his mansion, and after the erection of the foundry was known as Foundry street. This street was opened as a public street through to South Beeson avenue in 1901, and the name changed to Robinson street.
Philip Creichbaum purchased lot No. 8, November 26, 1803, for $25, and on May 25, 1808, he assigned to George Ebert, who on November 12 of same year assigned back to Henry Beeson who makes a new deed to Mr. Ebert embracing ten feet ad- ditional on the north, thus giving the lot 82.5 feet frontage on Cheat street. A two-story log dwelling stood on this lot, some four or five feet above the sidewalk and was approached by steps. Here Mr. Creichbaum lived for several years. He was a stone-cutter by trade and manufactured gravestones and grind- stones and did considerable business in his line. He was quite a versifier and composed many of the verses carved on the grave- stones found still standing in the old burying grounds of Union- town. One day while drinking at Morgan A. Miller's tavern, at the head of Morgantown street, in company with Abraham Brown, it was proposed that Creichbaum compose a suitable epitaph for Brown's tombstone, when the following was quickly produced :
" Here lies the body of Abram Brown, Who lives three miles from Uniontown ; He loaned his money at six per cent, The more he got the more he lent, The more he lent the more he craved, Good Lord! can such a soul be saved?"
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Mr. Creichbaum's advertisement in the town paper ran as follows :
" I public notice hereby give In Uniontown where I do live, I grindstones keep and them do sell, The grit is good; I make them well :
With whetstones also I'll supply All those wishing for to buy ;
Good money I will take in pay, But paper trash-keep that away.
Good bargains I will let you have,
If you good money to me give.
I'll make them honest, good and just,
But do not like too long to trust.
Old debts are often in dispute And likely to bring on law suits ;
Therefore 'tis best take care in time,
The grindstone 's yours, the money mine.
The time is now drawn very near
When you must kill your hogs and steer,
Therefore buy whetstones right away,
Then you can butcher any day.
Take my advice : come on right quick,
And of my stones have the first pick,
For I the money want right bad,
So fare you well my honest lad."
Abner Greenland carried on his business as a potter on this lot for several years before locating at the junction of South street with Morgantown street, where his pottery remained so long.
Absalom White, a well known and highly respected car- penter, bought this property in 1854, and occupied it for several years. He worked on many of the best buildings erected in his day.
Mary and Susan Collins, together with their brothers, Si. and Jack, who were noted fiddlers and dancers, owned this
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property, and in 1871, conveyed it to John T. Smith of Georges township, who erected a frame dwelling on the northwest re corner of the lot. This part of the lot, with the dwelling, Mr. Smith conveyed to William B. Thorndell in 1877. Kenneth R. Hagan purchased this lot of 35 feet frontage, October 8, 1896, and w and added many improvements and made it his home.
James Winterbottom purchased the southern part of this lot and willed it to his daughter, Minerva Monaghan, who tore away the old log building and erected on its site a modern frame residence which she occupied for some time. Her heirs con- veyed this property to Dr. F. C. Robinson, August 25, 1902.
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