USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 3
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Armstrong Hadden succeeded Johnston May 5, 1862, receiv- ing 122 votes to his competitor, James McKean, 121 votes. Mr. Hadden casting his vote for his competitor. Mr. Hadden had served three terms as postmaster.
Thomas A. Haldeman succeeded Hadden May 4, 1863. He was a blacksmith by trade and also served as a justice of the peace.
G. W. K. Minor succeeded Haldeman May 2, 1864, and was re-elected May 1, 1865. He was a member of the bar.
J. Duncan Ramsey succeeded Minor May 7, 1866. He was a member of the bar.
Marshall N. Lewis succeeded Ramsey May 6, 1867, and it appears that he held the office until 1873, when he was succeeded by John Holmes. Mr. Lewis was a saddle and harness maker by trade, and filled the office of a justice of the peace for several years.
Eli Hewitt succeeded John Holmes February 16, 1875. He was a member of the bar, and was re-elected February 15, 1876. He was also a telegraph operator.
George W. Foulke succeeded Hewitt February 20, 1877, and held the office three terms. He was a miller by trade, and filled the office of borough weighmaster for several years.
Alexander McClean succeeded Foulke February 17, 1880, and was re-elected February 15, 1881. He was a harness maker and buggy trimmer by trade.
Harry F. Detwiler succeeded McClean February 21, 1882, re-elected February 20, 1883, and again February 19, 1884. He was a member of the bar.
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
John Bierer succeeded Detwiler February 17, 1885. He was a member of the bar.
Jesse Reed succeeded Bierer February 16, 1886, and served ten terms continuously, when the law was changed, not allow- ing a re-election. He was a miller by occupation.
Edgar Boyle succeeded Reed February 16, 1897 and filled the office for a term of three years.
Frank Rutter succeeded Boyle February 20, 1900.
Henry O. Francis succeeded Rutter February 17, 1903.
R. D. Warman succeeded Francis February 20, 1906. He was a member of the bar.
Robert S. McCrum succeeded Warman February 16, 1909.
CHAPTER III.
EAST MAIN STREET, BOTH SIDES, FROM REDSTONE CREEK TO THE COURT HOUSE, COMPRISING LOTS NOS. 1 TO 20, INCLUSIVE.
Lot No. 1 in the original plan of Uniontown lay some dis- tance west of Redstone creek, on the south side of Elbow, now known as East Main street, and was bounded on the west by a fifteen foot alley. Jonathan Miller was the first pur- chaser of this lot, together with all other land lying between it and Redstone creek on the east, in all comprising more than one and one-half acres. Redstone creek at the time of this purchase, April 24, 1797, was crossed by a foot-log, as no bridge was constructed over that stream until the construction of the National road, 1818. Mr. Miller purchased several other pieces of property in the town, and appears to have been a tavern keeper in Brownsville up to 1821.
The above described property later came into the pos- session of John M. Austin, Esq., who sold it off in parts. In 1830, when Market street, now known as Church street, was laid out it passed through a part of this property, leaving a part on the south side of the new street and a part still lining on Elbow street.
John Casforus, a former ship builder and carpenter, erected a small frame house a short distance west of what is now the eastern bridge and occupied it as a residence. Edward Cronin, a blacksmith, built an addition to the west side of this house from lumber taken from the wagon shop which was at one time the property of Ephraim Douglass. John Seiler erected a small store room west of the above for which purpose it is still used.
Hugh Rogers purchased a part of lot No. 1 next east of the fifteen foot alley, and thereon erected a log house facing on Market street and here lived and carried on his business of blacksmithing in a shop in the rear for many years. He also erected a brick dwelling east of the log dwelling. After the death of Mr. Rogers, his son-in-law, James G. Watson, as blacksmith and Maurice Lonergan as woodworker, carried on wagon and buggy making in this shop for some years. Asa Rogers, a son of Hugh Rogers, continued to occupy this prop-
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erty, erected a new brick residence thereon and continued the blacksmithing.
Lots Nos. 2, 3 and 4 were purchased by Robert Moore in 1788 and 1792, the price paid for the three lots was eleven pounds, equal to $29.33. No. 2 had a fifteen foot alley taken off the eastern side and all were badly damaged by the opening of Market or Church street. Judge John Dawson became possessor of these lots, a frontage of 202.5 feet on Elbow street. It subsequently became the property of his son, E. B. Dawson, who sold it off to different parties. Asa Rogers built a brick building on No. 2 and part of No. 3, and here he embarked in the grocery business in 1901. Samuel Loughman erected two frame dwellings on lot No. 3. A frame workshop was also erected on No. 3 which was later converted into a dwelling.
On the western part of No. 4 is still standing an antiquated frame dwelling which had the appearance of having been built in the early history of the town. Nathaniel Brownfield pur- chased this property for a home for his son, Samuel, who oc- cupied it as such for some years. It was then traded in for other and better property to which the family moved. The old building is now used as a store room and dwelling. Next west of the above stood a blacksmith shop which at one time was owned and used by Ephraim Douglass in connection with his wagon and buggy manufacturing establishment. This build- ing was used for many years by different persons, among whom were Thomas A. Haldeman and Ed Cronin. John D. Ruby tore away the old blacksmith shop and erected on its site a modern brick dwelling which upon nearing completion was so badly wrecked by an explosion of natural gas that it was found necessary to rebuild it.
West of the blacksmith shop, and separated by a narrow private alley, stood a frame wood shop used in connection with Eph Douglass' carriage factory. This shop stood on lot No. 5, which had been owned by James Buchanan, a surveyor of Lancaster county, Pa. Mr. Buchanan assigned to Eph Doug- lass. This shop was used for many years after the death of Eph Douglass by others who carried on wagon making. Ed- ward Cronin, above mentioned, tore away the old shop and erected on its site a neat two-story frame residence and oc- cupied it as such for several years and then sold it. Mr. Cronin was a large, muscular man and a splendid workman; strictly
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temperate in all things. He was a devout member of the Roman Catholic church and was a gentleman in every respect.
West of the wood shop stood some frame buildings used by Eph Douglass as finishing shops for carriages, wagons and other work done in his shops. These were subsequently converted into dwellings and occupied as such. These were torn away in 1905 by Edgar S. Hackney and a block of substantial brick residences erected on the site.
General Ephraim Douglass erected a large two-story brick residence on lot No. 6, and here resided many years before he removed to his farm two miles north of town. An extended sketch of General Douglass will be given elsewhere. After General Douglass' removal to his farm in now North Union township, his natural son, Eph Douglass, Jr., occupied this house as a residence. He was registered as a student at law in 1824 and was admitted, but his clientage was exceedingly limited. He advertised that at considerable expense he had established a coach and harness manufacturing establishment, October 15, 1824, east of the court house. This he conducted for some time, and was continued under the management of his wife. His wife was Miss Ellen M. Young of Greensburg, by whom he had four children.
The killing of Moses Shaw by Eph Douglass, May 21, 1831, was one of the most noted events in the criminal history of the town. As a natural result of drink, the men had quarreled until angered and vile epithets freely exchanged, and it is said Shaw struck Douglass. Douglass then ordered his colored boy servant to go across the street to his home and bring him his spear cane. The boy did as he was commanded and Douglass started in pursuit of Shaw, who, knowing the temper of Douglass, fled through a blacksmith shop then occupying the corner now occupied by the residence of Mrs. E. G. Roddy, and up the alley to the rear, and while trying to climb the fence at the bend of the alley Douglass stabbed him to death. Shaw was placed on a stable door and carried home in a dying condition. The coroner's inquest found that Moses Shaw came to his death by three thrusts of a spear cane in the hands of Ephraim Douglass, Jr., Esq. He was tried October 25, 1831. The verdict was "Not guilty of murder, but guilty of man- slaughter." He was sentenced to the penitentiary for ten years. After serving a part of his term he was pardoned on account
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of the age and prominence of his father. He returned to his old home, broken in spirit and shunned by his old associates. He died in the spring of 1839 and was buried in the Methodist Episcopal graveyard at the west end of Peter street. Soon after his burial, ghouls entered the graveyard at the still hour of midnight, opened the grave and with a large chisel and mallet cut off his head and took it to a nearby cabinet shop where the flesh was boiled from the grinning skull. His wife came some time after and removed the body to Greensburg.
James Veech, as administrator of the estate of Eph Doug- lass, sold the tools and material along with the unfinished work in the shop, to Armstrong Hadden, June 1, 1839, who continued the business of wagon and carriage making in the Douglass shops as a tenant of Mrs. Douglass until the spring of 1840. Mrs. Douglass remained in the brick residence but a few years after the death of her husband, when she returned to her people, and subsequently sold the real estate.
C. B. Snyder succeeded Mrs. Douglass in the ownership and occupancy of this house and he was succeeded by a number of tenants. This building was destroyed by fire.
William Doran purchased the eastern part of this lot, Jan- uary 25, 1873, from Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart and erected thereon a frame dwelling and occupied it as such for several years. It is now the property of Mrs. Samuel Brownfield. A part of this lot became the property of Martin Dutton, and later that of Isaac Beeson. A frame dwelling was erected on this part of the lot by John Williams, a carpenter, and soon became the property of John Messmore, where he lived until his death, and his widow continued to occupy it for some time.
On the lot next west of the Douglass mansion stood an old log house which was the residence of General Douglass before building the brick. This lot, No. 7, was first owned by Aaron Sackett, a tailor by trade, who resided and carried on his business here for some time. This house consisted of one room and hall down and one large and one small room up, and the kitchen stood separate from the house, with a covered porch between. Armstrong Hadden occupied this house upon going to housekeeping in the summer of 1838, as a tenant of Eph Douglass, Jr. Just west of this house stood a blacksmith shop, which was often used by the same tenant as occupied
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
the house. Charles King came from Connellsville and com- menced the blacksmithing business in this shop in 1827. He was succeeded in the same business by Joseph Fisher, John Howell, Patrick McDonald and others. Mrs. Eph Douglass fell heir to this property by the will of General Douglass, and it finally passed into the ownership of Daniel Kaine, Esq., in whose estate it remained for many years. Dr. A. M. Cramer purchased a part of the eastern part of this lot and erected thereon a large double brick dwelling in 1910.
A small frame house stood about where the Hopwood- Hagan law office now stands and was occupied as a residence by John McCuen, the tailor, and others. Robert F. Hopwood, Esq., and A. C. Hagan, Esq., built a two-story brick building here and occupied the first floor as law offices and the second floor was used as dwellings and later as offices.
Mary McDonald became the owner of lot No. 9 in 1785 in consideration of the natural love and affection Henry Beeson had for her. Mrs. McDonald was the widow of Dennis Mc- Donald, and after selling this property she purchased a portion of lot No. 38, facing on Peter street, in trust for the heirs of Dennis McDonald. She subsequently became the wife of a Mr. Bunton and lived in a small frame house on Peter street. She was the mother of Patrick McDonald, who was killed by being ejected from a bar-room; and Samuel McDonald, who was a printer and was editor of the Pennsylvania Democrat ; and William McDonald, Esq., who was an editor and who was appointed postmaster July 13, 1841. Granny Bunton lived to a very advanced age and moved to Pittsburgh where she died.
James Piper, Sr. came into possession of this property and kept a tavern in a log house which was weatherboarded and painted red. His tavern was known as "The Jolly Irishman," and was kept here as early as 1801. It is related that his wife would sit in the bar-room with her wheel and spin, and keep notice of the receipts of the bar, and after Mr. Piper's death she continued the business for some time until 1819. James Piper had a sister who was the widow of Joseph Hedges, Sr., who in her widowhood taught school for many years, and many of the youth of the town were enrolled as her pupils; some of whom ascended the ladder of fame, and all loved to refer to Aunt Betsy Hedges with veneration as their first instructor. Aunt Betsy Hedges had one son, James Piper Hedges, who be-
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
came a prominent furniture manufacturer and dealer of the town.
James Piper, Jr., son of James Piper, Sr., became the owner of this property and was quite prominent in the affairs of the town. He was admitted to the bar in 1819, was district at- torney in 1824, was appointed register of wills and recorder of deeds in 1839, and was elected to that office October 8, 1839, and held the position until he was succeeded by Joseph Gadd, who was elected October 11, 1842. He established the Demo- cratic Shield in May, 1834, with Thomas Patton and Justin G. Morris as printers. The office of publication was in the western part of this house, and in 1847 the paper was absorbed by the Genius of Liberty. Mr. Piper was the first secretary of the Fayette County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which com- menced business December 6, 1844. He owned property on the north side of town on Pittsburgh street, and erected the brick residence later owned by Jacob B. Miller and later by D. J. Jordan.
On the eastern part of the Piper lot stood a two-story weatherboarded log house which was occupied for many years by Ruth Piper, a maiden sister of James Piper. She became old and feeble minded and blind and was sent to the County Home, where she fell from an upper porch sustaining injuries from which she died. Other tenants occupied this house, and the Uniontown News, owned and edited by Charles D. Conner, was issued for a time from this building.
James Piper raised and commanded a company in the war of 1812, and served his country along the northern lakes. He removed west about 1850, and died soon after. The Piper lot is now occupied by the fine double brick residence of Miss Minnie S. Thorndell.
Lot No. 10 was purchased by Matthew Campbell, January 7, 1784, for five pounds Pennsylvania money, and was bounded on the west by Meadow alley. Mr. Campbell had already erected a log tavern stand on the western corner of this lot before he received his deed for it. He applied for license at December court 1783, but at December court, 1785, and for some years after, he was licensed in Menallen township, and this lot was advertised for sale in 1819.
The log building was either weatherboarded or torn away
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
and a frame erected in its place which was occupied for several years for different purposes. Among the attorneys who oc- cupied this as an office were James Todd, Andrew Stewart, Samuel Gaither, John H. Deford and others. Among those who kept store here may be mentioned D. and S. Witherow, Johnze Dicus and William W. Stumph, Jacob Stone and Samuel Griffin, John Casforus, Polly Sullivan and others. Ephraim Douglass, Jr., owned this property at one time and conveyed it to Seth Howell and Howell erected a brick building on the eastern part in which he kept a tavern for many years. It ap- pears that Douglass and Howell had been dickering on this lot from 1828 till 1833, part of the time it appears to be in the possession of Douglass and part of the time in the possession of Howell.
The office of publication of the Genius of Liberty was lo- cated in a brick building on this lot, then owned by Eph Doug- lass, from April 1, 1832, to April 1, 1834. Seth Howell was generally known as Flinger Howell. A large swinging sign on a pole at the curb announced that his tavern was known as the Fulton House, and here he kept tavern for more than a quarter of a century. He had two sons, Amos and John. One daughter, Amelia, married John Crossland. He also had two daughters who were dwarfs and made their home with Amelia. Seth Howell and his son, Amos, married sisters by the name of Mc- Burney. Seth Howell moved to Pittsburgh where he died.
William Thorndell, Jr., leased the Fulton House for a num- ber of years from July 8, 1859, and afterward purchased the property and continued the hotel business there for a quarter of a century. He enlarged the building to three stories and otherwise improved it. Others who have succeeded Mr. Thorn- dell here in the hotel business were David Mahaney for three years, Michael Carter for a few years, and James Moran, who opened here in 1880, and purchased the property in 1882, paying $16,000, and sold it to T. Irwin Altman October 26, 1906, after running it twenty-six years, for $100,000. The hotel building has been added to, enlarged and improved by its different owners until it has reached its present proportions. The appearance of the front shows many additions. For more than a century and a quarter this lot has been occupied with a hotel.
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History of Uniontoren, Pennsylvania.
EAST MAIN STREET, NORTH SIDE, FROM REDSTONE CREEK TO THE COURT HOUSE.
Lot No. 11 in the original plat of the town was the first lot west of Redstone creek on the north side of Elbow street, and fronted 100 feet on that street, and ran back to the margin of the creek. This lot was deeded to Col. Alexander McClean December 31, 1798.
On this lot Hugh Graham erected a two-story dwelling from material taken from the old frame Methodist Episcopal church which stood at the west end of Peter street. This house stood back from, and considerably below the street. Edward Hyde, an Englishman, and a brickmason by trade, occupied this as a residence for some years. He was well and favorably known in the vicinity. It was he who ran into the court-room while court was in session, February 4, 1845, and excitedly called out " Wat in the 'ell are you doin? The court house is on fire." Court adjourned instanter, and the court house was destroyed. He died at his home here, November 16, 1847, and it was on the occasion of his funeral that the bell of the new court house was tolled for the first time. Lewis Vandiver, the well known plasterer, and John Hagan, the well known stone- cutter, each lived here for some years. Clarence McClure, a plumber and gas fitter, erected a two-story frame building, on a lease, on the front of this lot, in which he lived and carried on his business for five years. It has subsequently been used as a restaurant and dwelling.
Samuel Gilman purchased lot No. 12, September 13, 1794. A long frame house, painted red, occupied much of the front of his lot, in front of which was a long uncovered porch or board walk, the boards of which were loose and made much noise on being walked over. John and Jacob Reynolds carried on the cabinet and furniture business, as well as the undertaking business here in 1815 to 1827. This lot was sold at sheriff's sale as the property of John Reynolds in 1827. Charles Reed announced that he would commence the weaving business in the house lately occupied by John and Jacob Reynolds, where he will weave carpets, table linen, etc., June 5, 1827. " Neddie " Cooper, another weaver, owned this lot and carried on his busi- ness here. After his death his widow married Gabriel Dessel- lems and still continued to carry on the weaving business. Gabriel was the well-known grave-digger in his day, and
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
although he had many friends, they would not give Gabriel a job as long as they could avoid it. Gabriel prepared his own tombstone which stands at his grave in the old M. E. grave- yard and announces that he died February 11, 1869, aged 84 years, 9 months and 11 days. A small frame building stood back on this lot, built on posts and some little distance from the ground, in which Moses Shaw lived at the time he was stabbed to death by Ephraim Douglass, Jr. Daniel Collins, for many years a section hand on the Pennsylvania railroad, owned and lived in a frame house on the southeast corner of this lot which Hugh Graham had erected from lumber taken from the old M. E. church. John D. Ruby tore away the old Gabriel Dessellems house in which Benjamin Dessellems had lived for many years, and erected on its site a modern frame dwelling which he occupied for several years.
Patrick Milligan purchased lots Nos. 13 and 14 in 1794. On the front of these lots were a number of frame houses which were occupied as tenant houses and work-shops. John Canon lived and carried on the wagon making business here for many years. His advertisement states that he had an experience of 35 years at the business. John P. Sturgis was also an occupant here for some time and carried on blacksmithing in a shop on the corner west. Thomas A. Haldeman was an occupant here for several years, and carried on wagon making in shops on the opposite side of the street. He also filled the office of justice of the peace. Joseph R. Marshall, the well known marble cutter, purchased a part of this lot and in 1883, tore away an old frame and erected a modern frame residence which he occupied for some years. Some of the old Canon houses still stand on this lot. William Shipley erected a brick store room next west of the old frames still standing. In this he kept store for some time, and it is still occupied as such.
David Brown purchased lot No. 15 in 1796.
James Hankins of North Union township purchased this lot and erected thereon a two-story brick residence and occu- pied it as such. It was sold in 1863 by his executor to James Darby who occupied it as a residence until his death, and it is still in the occupancy of his widow. Dr. A. M. Kramer pur- chased the eastern portion of this lot and erected thereon a fine brick residence and dental office in which he lived and practiced his profession.
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
John Porter was the purchaser of Lot No. 16, April 4, 1796, , for six pounds, Pennsylvania money, equal to sixteen dollars. A frame blacksmith shop stood on the western corner of this lot in which various blacksmiths at different times carried on their occupation. John P. Sturgis, a well-known blacksmith in the early history of the town, conducted his trade here for some time before locating on Pittsburgh street.
Levi D. Stephens, a merchant of the town, erected the large brick residence still occupying this lot. Mr. Stephens was not a married man but built this property for renting purposes. Mr. Robert Boyle, a carpenter, and who was em- ployed on the building, was the first occupant of the house. Daniel Kaine lived here while building the residence of the late Senator A. D. Boyd. Alexander McClean succeeded Daniel Kaine as tenant here, having been burned out on Morgantown street by a destructive fire in 1851, and here kept a boarding house for the accommodation of students attending Madison college, for the space of five years. This was sold as the property of Levi D. Stephens and subsequently came into the possession of Col. Edward G. Roddy, Sept. 21, 1863, who moved his family into it.
Col. Roddy was born in Addison, Somerset county, Pa., June 12, 1824. In 1843 he located in Uniontown, where he was employed in the dry goods business with Col. Ewing Brownfield. He then went to Uppermiddletown and took charge of a branch store and subsequently purchased it. In 1858 he returned to Uniontown and purchased the Genius of Liberty printing office, which paper he edited and continued to own until his death, June 12, 1867, being his 43rd birthday. His widow, who was Miss Lydia Jane, daughter of Rezin Beeson, still owns and oc- cupies the property.
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