USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 30
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North of the Laughead, Modisette & Co. planing mills a row of frame tenements were built many of which were occupied by workmen employed in and about the mill. F. T. Adams erected a large brick warehouse at the head of this row in which he established a wholesale produce business. This part of the town was known as " Jimtown " but from the fact that many of the houses have passed into the hands of Italians it is now known as " Little Italy."
What is now known as South Beeson avenue, was at the laying out of the town known, as Middle alley, and after the building of a banking house by the Union Bank of Pennsylvania, in 1814, the name was changed to Bank alley, which at that time extended only as far as South street, but after its extension to Fayette street it was styled Redstone street, but was for an obvious reason, dubbed Dog alley. This street, having been wonderfully improved and extended from the northern limit of the borough to Berkeley street, was on September 11, 1890, named Beeson avenue in honor of Henry Beeson the founder of the town.
On the rear part of the Robert Skiles property on the west side of now South Beeson avenue, stood a warehouse which
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was used for several years as a furniture shop by Clark Beeson and by James P. Hedges. This building was burned away. Some small business rooms were built along this lot in which butcher shops, restaurants, barber shops, etc., were located. These were torn away about 1900, and I. N. Hagan erected a three-story business block and flats on the site, and here con- ducted a restaurant and other business.
On the lot between South street and Church street Jacob B. Miller had a small frame building which had been removed from Main street. In this he had his law office, although he cared little for the practice of law. This lot was purchased by John F. Gray who built the residence on the Church street front- age, and after it came into the possession of James G. Watson he erected an iron store and warehouse on the South street side and a comfortable frame tenement between.
A brick building stood on the south side of the Methodist Protestant church which was used as a furniture shop by Col. William Redick and others, and was destroyed by an incen- diary fire. William P. Dittmore covered this lot with business rooms.
South of the alley in the rear of the Methodist Protestant church Richard Beeson conveyed to Thomas Wathen, October 23, 1843, a lot on "the new street laid out by Isaac Beeson in April, 1839, known as Redstone street." On this Mr. Wathen built a frame residence and occupied it for some time. Miss Mary Jane Shaw came into ownership of this property and oc- cupied it as a residence for many years, where she carried on the millinery business until age compelled her to retire. Frank Dey purchased this property and made it his home.
D. M. Springer, the tailor, and son-in-law of Thomas Wathen, purchased the next lot from Richard Beeson, October 27. 1842, and erected the frame house in which he lived for some time. This came into the ownership of Alfred Howell who conveyed it to John Thorndell who made it his home for forty- eight years, when he moved to Fayette street. Daniel Huston erected a brick tenement next south of the above as a residence for Daniel Hunt, one of his tailors. Thomas Thorndell owned and occupied this property for many years. Searight Walters bought and improved it by adding a new front. It is now the home of R. D. Warman. Hugh Gilmore built the frame house next south of the above and occupied it for some time. M. H.
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Bowman owned and occupied it for a while, since which it has passed through several hands. This house and the following three were built on a large lot formerly owned by George A. Shallenberger and subsequently by William Crawford, fronting 170 feet on the street. The members of the Cumberland Presby- terian church erected the next house south as a parsonage for Rev. Henry Melville, who occupied it as such. They sold it to Samuel Clark who occupied it for a while and conveyed it to J. K. P. Winterbottom who improved it and made it his home a short time. He conveyed to the Methodist Episcopal missionary society who occupied it as a training school for foreign children. William.T. Moore built the next house south and occupied it for a time. Laveria and Jennie Cooper bought this and made it their home until their deaths, after which it was sold to the family of Martin Brey, the present owners. Mrs. Benjamin Kremer built the next house south in which she and her family lived several years, since which it has passed through several ownerships and been occupied by various tenants.
John H. Deford built a frame tenement on the east side of Redstone street in which John L. Means lived for a while and his wife carried on her business as a mantua-maker. George H. Thorndell was another occupant of this house. The Pennsyl- vania Railroad company bought this property and tore away the house.
The small frame house next south with end to the street was once occupied by Rev. Beacom, a Methodist Protestant minister, and by Isaac Hunt and others. It has later been oc- cupied by employes of the Pennsylvania railroad. Next south was a row of frame houses, the first was owned and occupied for some time by William Maquilken, a furniture manufacturer. Stewart Speers, James Snyder and many others have since oc- cupied it. Where the People's Tribune three-story building now stands was owned and occupied for many years by Capt. A. C. Nutt, Orval Johnson and others. Next south Jasper T. Sembower tore away a frame and erected a comfortable dwell- ing in which he lived a short time. It is now the home of David L. Evans. William Hall, with his brothers, Crumwell, Israel, and Silas and two sisters, erected the brick dwelling next south and here William lived many years and carried on his business as an upholsterer.
This property was bought and remodeled by the Fayette
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Real Estate company and occupied as a bakery. Charles King built the next brick house south of the above and occupied it a while. Daniel Canon purchased it and made this his home for many years. Mr. Canon, in his old days, filled the office of borough weighmaster. He reared an intelligent family of daughters.
South Beeson avenue was extended through the Beeson estate from Fayette street to Berkeley street by the heirs of Charles H. Beeson whose widow erected a fine brick residence at the head of the avenue and made it her home. Other fine homes have been erected on this extension by James R. Cray, E. E. Dillinger, the Cumberland Presbyterian church, Max Baum, S. W. Graham, Lloyd G. McCrum, P. P. Long, Dr. J. W. Jaco, W. E. Sharps, Dr. George O. Evans and others. T. Blair Palmer tore away the old Henry Beeson mansion which stood on the eastern side of this avenue and erected on its site a fine modern mansion which he made his home.
On a part of the Charles H. Beeson tract Charles street was laid out from South Beeson avenue eastward and connected with Derrick avenue and comprised some thirty lots, command- ing a beautiful view of the town, on which L. L. Crawford, Marlin C. Miller, Col. Harry Robinson, E. E. Dillinger, Thomp- son Hunt and others have built beautiful homes.
Still another part of the Beeson tract was laid off compris- ing some eighty-seven lots through which Alder street or the Country Club boulevard passes.
SOUTH MOUNT VERNON AVENUE.
What is now known as South Mount Vernon avenue was originally known as Veech's lane, from the fact that David Veech formerly owned the land over which it was laid out. In 1881 this lane was widened to a 50-foot street and was named South Mount Vernon avenue to perpetuate the name by which the tract through which it passed was originally called.
Among those who bought lots and erected dwellings, and of those who early resided on this avenue may be mentioned, Robert Patterson who erected the large brick store room and dwelling on the corner of West Fayette street and South Mount Vernon avenue and now owned by his son, Robert I. Patter- son; C. W. Pyle, frame; Mrs. John Crawford, frame; Alex Patterson, brick; William Curstead, frame, now Bauch; Oliver
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G. Board, frame, now Pickens; John N. Lewellen, frame; A. D. Conwell, brick, now W. J. Parshall; Hugh Burchinal, brick; Jacob Johnson, frame; Captain Hickman, frame; Mrs. L. B. Howard, frame; Edward Rose, frame; Elias Heath, brick; Mrs. John A. Litman, frame; John C. Breading, frame; William Gra- ham, frame; Hugh Burchinal, frame; Daniel Bierer, frame; Dr McClean, frame; Thomas Hunt, frame ; Margaret Rouch, frame ; Walter Miller, frame; John Stockdale, frame; Martha Wood, double brick; Walter Miller, frame; Perry Debolt, frame; Charles Moser, frame; Mrs. George W. Kremer, frame; George Balsinger, frame; Caleb F. McCormick, frame; Isaac Williams, frame, later Mrs. Thomas J. Miller; Jacob Johnson, frame ; C. J. McCormick, frames ; C. W. McCann, frames; Ewing Burchi- nal, frame; Nicholas Fleckenstein, frame; William Kerr, frame ; Continental No. 1 property.
West side South Mount Vernon avenue. Daniel P. Gibson, brick, now Peter A. Johns; John C. Breading, brick, now Chas. J. McCormick; Mrs. Julia Tate, frame, now Delbert Rush ; H. S. Dumbald, frame; Thomas Howard, frame; Isaac Hurst, brick, now Mrs. Hankins; Joseph Strickler, brick, later Frank Lew- ellen; M. M. Hopwood, brick, now Mrs. Rachel Finley; E. E. Strickler, brick; Robert Brown, frame; Quincy Partridge, frame, now Michael Andrews; William Ellicott, frame, now R. S. McCrum, brick; Daniel Thompson, frame; Mrs. Mella Keys, frame; John Jefferis, brick; George Balsinger, frame; Theo- philus Bowie, frame; Jacob Rosinweig, frame; Mrs. Frank Hambry, brick, now Albert Kremer; William Hatfield, frame; Alfred Johnson, frame ; J. D. Rider, frame ; Herbert G. Crippen, frame; Gas Regulator, brick; Samuel Carter, frame; Methodist Episcopal church, frame; Hiram L. Blackburn, frame; Clayton Gadd, brick; St. Joseph's Polish Roman Catholic church, brick ; parsonage for the same; Continental No. 1 coke company buildings.
Many new and modern buildings have been erected and old ones remodeled on this avenue, making it one of the most desirable residence streets of the town. In October, 1900, work was begun on the construction of a trolley line over this avenue, and the franchise required the company to pave the street with brick, which was done about the same time as the construction of the line.
South Mount Vernon avenue was extended by Whyel and
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D. Crawford in 1902, and comprised some eight-seven lots south of Lebanon avenue.
GALLATIN AVENUE.
By an ordinance passed by the Borough council March 25, 875, Gallatin avenue was opened from East Main street north- ward to the borough limit, through lands formerly owned by ohn Gallagher, James Lenox and others.
In 1903, George Roth erected a three-story brick building on the east side of Gallatin avenue, between East Main and Peter streets. The first floor was occupied for business pur- Doses, the second floor as dwellings and the third floor as a public hall. Between Peter street and Penn street were the dwellings of Mrs. E. B. Dawson, Dr. John D. Sturgeon and the leirs of Dr. William H. Sturgeon. In 1912, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows erected a three-story brick building be- ween Penn street and Redstone creek, for business, flats and odge room. Other good business properties have been recently. erected on that part of the street. The old Downer property, which has recently passed into other hands, occupies the op- posite side of the street. North Gallatin avenue north of Red- stone creek is described in the Playford, Boyle and McClelland and other additions.
South Gallatin avenue extends from East Main street south- ward to East Fayette street; and from East Main to South street is lined on both sides with business houses. This part of the avenue was made by tearing away the old Dr. R. M. Walker property. In 1883, Charles D. Conner purchased from the William Thorndell estate what was formerly known as the Hugh Thompson meadow, extending from the alley south of Church street southward to East Fayette street. On this he laid off some twenty-three desirable building lots upon which have been erected several modern residences.
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CHAPTER XIII.
FAYETTE STREET, EAST OF MORGANTOWN STREET.
Fayette street was laid out by William Lyon through a tract Henry Beeson had sold to James McCullock and which subsequently came into the possession of John Lyon, from whon seven and a half acres were sold to William Lyon, March 1 1824. This part of the John Lyon tract had a frontage o 321.75 feet on Morgantown street and extended from the alley next south of Fayette street to the alley next north of that street Through this tract Fayette street was opened 60 feet wide, and Mr. Lyon's plat extended eastward to the alley east of Beeso1 avenue ; from whence it was extended through the John Collin: eight acre meadow to Redstone creek, and still later, eastward till it joined the National road : thus forming a street nearly : mile long, 60 feet wide and the most desirable residence stree in the town.
The lots of the Lyon plat began at Morgantown street and ran eastward on the north side. Lot No. 1 is described of Morgantown street. Lot No. 2 was the first to be sold and Pete Lewis was the purchaser, August 16, 1824, for $200. These lot: had a frontage of 50 feet and ran back various distances to ar alley. Mr. Lewis built a moderate brick house on this lot which he made his home for a number of years. The Methodis Episcopal church purchased this lot for a parsonage in 1857, and in the old building was replaced by the present structure it 1887. Mrs. Anna Mariah McCall, who became the widow of the late Judge John Huston, was the purchaser of lot No. 3, Febru ary 9, 1825. On this lot was built a double frame house which was occupied for many years by different tenants. Charles H Seaton tore away this old frame and erected the present hand some brick residence which he occupied until he purchased the Harrison Wiggins farm back of Chalk Hill and made it a mos desirable county residence. Ex-Judge E. H. Reppert has oc cupied this property for several years.
George D. Stevenson was the purchaser of lot No. 4, which was next west of a twenty-foot alley. On this lot was erected a frame filled in with brick and plastered on the outside. This it was said, was the first building erected on the new street
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although it was not erected on the first lot sold. Many tenants occupied this old building before it was purchased by Henry Clay Rush who occupied while he built a neat brick residence on the eastern part of the lot and moved into it. Mrs. F. C. Breckenridge purchased the western part of this lot, tore away the old plastered house and erected on its site a neat and modern two-story brick residence which she continues to occupy in con- junction with her business as a fashionable milliner. The daughters of John S. Craig purchased of Henry Clay Rush the brick residence and have since occupied it as a dwelling.
A twenty-foot alley is next east of the last described prop- erty, and immediately east of this was lot No. 5, which was pur- chased by John Phillips for $75. Alexander Turner built the frame dwelling still on this lot, and here lived for many years. Mr. Turner was a large contractor on the bridge work in the construction of the National road, and owned much valuable land west of the town, as mentioned elsewhere. Samuel Darby, a well remembered teamster about the town, was a tenant in this property for several years. Mr. Darby was very much put out by the building of the railroad to Uniontown, as his business of hauling goods from Brownsville was at an end. He moved to Alliance, Ohio. Daniel Marchand Springer, one of the old line tailors of the town, purchased this property and occupied until his death. Mr. Springer carried on the tailoring business at various places in the town for many years, and was an accom- plished workman in his line. His two sons, Thomas and John, enlisted and died while in the service of their country. Mrs. Springer, who was a daughter of Thomas Wathen, continued to occupy this property until her death. Dr. John F. Detwiler pur- chased this property from the Springer heirs in 1899, and im- proved it and occupies it as a dwelling and physician's office.
William McMullen was the purchaser of lot No. 6 for $75. William Loomas came into ownership of this lot, and while in the ownership of his heirs the frame residence thereon became a wreck. Charles T. Cramer purchased this lot and built thereon a modern two-story brick residence which he occupied for several years. Mrs. William Trader purchased this property and made it her home until her death, after which Amos S. Bowlby pur- chased it and made this his home until his death. John Thorn- dell purchased this property in 1911, and after adding many im- provements, made it his home.
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David H. Weems bought lot No. 7 for $85. A small twc story brick house still stands on this lot which at one time wa owned and occupied by Jonathan Fisher, who carried on glov making for many years, having a number of hands in his employ He purchased deer hides and tanned them on this lot and har buckskin gloves made from the product. This property wa sold from Mr. Fisher in 1858, and John Huston became th owner. Daniel Smith was an occupant of this property for many years. Mr. Smith carried on an iron store for several years, and was appointed postmaster to fill out the unexpired term o William McDonald, May 19, 1843, and served till May 5, 1845 He was elected burgess of the town in 1847 and in 1852, and again in 1853. He was elected a justice of the peace in west ward, 1845, and for several terms thereafter, and some of these times without opposition. He was one of the most conspicuous residents of the town, and always presided as a justice of the peace with the dignity and wisdom of a judge. Esquire Smith was a leading and active member of the Episcopal church, and was its organist for many years. He was instrumental in secur- ing the loan of the bell which called the worshipers together for many years, as related elsewhere.
Daniel Smith had three sons and two daughters, viz .: Frank, William, Thomas, Rachel and Elizabeth. Frank was with William Walker in one of his filibustering expeditions against Nicaragua. He was captured, but was assisted out of his peril- ous predicament by the interposition of friends and had nothing further to do with Walker, who was finally captured and shot, although he had many adherents to his cause. Frank Smith re- ceived a commission as lieutenant in the United States navy at the breaking out of the civil war, and served until its close.
Lieutenant Smith wrote a letter to his father, dated U. S. S. Pensacola, April 27, 1862, off New Orleans, in which he de- scribes the shelling of Forts Jackson and St. Philip on the 17th inst. thus: " I saw the old Star of the West, the ship that took me to Nicaragua, burn. During the engagement I was in the engine room, and when one of our engineers, Mr. Huntley, at the signal bell, was wounded in the head at the third fire, he was carried below, and I took his place. Here I witnessed the most fearfully grand sight to be beheld, yet escaped unharmed, although grape and shell flew over me in the most menacing manner. Our ship was pierced in divers places, and the rigging
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somewhat cut, yet we all escaped in this last encounter. On the 25th the squadron anchored in front of the Crescent city. Capt. Baily, 2nd in command, went ashore to demand the uncondi- tional surrender of the city. General Lovell, in command, prom- ised to withdraw all his troops to avoid the shelling of the town, but could not surrender the city. As soon as we reached New Orleans we hoisted the stars and stripes on the mint, and at 11:00 o'clock we were having service on deck to return thanks to Almighty God for our victory. Before the services were con- cluded, however, the look-out reported that our flag was down. A rush was made for the guns, and if primers had been in them the city certainly would have received a broadside, and, as the wharves were crowded, great execution would have been done. As it was, the howitzer in the main-top was fired which served as a warning, although they did not haul their flag down; and until the surrender of the city, the commodore would not allow any other flag to fly."
William Smith, also, bore a commission in the United States navy and lost his life in the ill-fated ship, Tulip, November 11, 1864.
Thomas Smith became a lieutenant-colonel in the United States army where he served during the late civil war and in the Cuban war. He died at Portland, Oregon, March 3, 1901.
Rachel Smith was married to Arnold A. Plumer, and Eliza- beth became the wife of C. H. Beall.
Armstrong Hadden purchased this property and by adding a hall to the east end, converted it into two tenements which were occupied by Joseph M. and John M. Hadden. After Mr. Hadden's death it became the property of Mrs. Agnes Robinson and from whom it descended to her son, Harrold L. Robinson, Esq., who had occupied the property for several years. After Mr. Robinson's removal to his new home at the east end, this property was occupied by various tenants.
Armstrong Hadden built a frame tenement on the eastern part of this lot as a residence for Henry McClay, in 1872. Mr. McClay occupied this house until after the death of Mr. Hadden when it was sold to Mrs. McCullough. Frank A. Hill purchased this house and lot and moved the frame back from the street and veneered it with brick, making it a nice modern residence into which he moved. Logan Rush purchased this property and made it his home.
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From the last described property to the eastern limit of the Lyon plan of lots, including Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, was sold to Alfred Patterson, who afterwards sold it off into lots. A part of No. 8 came into the possession of Joseph P. Mc- Clelland who conveyed it to Rebecca Watson who made her home in an old frame house on the rear of the lot. The second Beeson mill race passed through this lot. Rebecca Watson was born a slave and was sold several times as property. Wil- liam Willey, brother to U. S. Senator Waitman T. Willey, was her last owner, and set her free. She bought this lot in 1866 and in the fall of the following year she took unto herself a husband in the person of Henry Keary with whoin she lived twenty-five years, when he died; and Rebecca, in rehearsing the story of her checkered life, when she came to the death of her husband, said, " Then it pleased the good Lord to set me free again." Rebecca was cared for in her last days by the good people of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, of which she was for many years a faith- ful member, and was buried in the Methodist graveyard on Peter street.
Frank A. Hill purchased this lot and erected thereon a modern brick residence in which he lived for several years. He sold this to Rev. W. Scott Bowman, a Presbyterian minister who occupied it as a residence.
James Hadden purchased a lot of 50 feet frontage, next east of the before described property, and in 1871 erected thereon a two-story brick residence which he occupied until 1875, when he sold it to Rev. Henry Lucas, a minister of the Methodist Protestant church, who occupied it until his death, and his widow still continued to occupy it until she sold it to Mrs. Agnes Robinson. Mr. Lucas erected the brick addition on the west as a photograph gallery for his son, John, who was suc- ceeded in the business by Wm. Moore and others, when the building was changed to a dwelling for which it has since been used.
On the large lot immediately west of what is now South Beeson avenue, Alfred Patterson erected the large double brick residence now occupying the lot. The western part of this property was occupied for some time by the Patrick family, one of the leading families of the town at the time. It later passed into the ownership of William A. West who occupied it for
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many years. Mrs Mary A. Hagan purchased this western half in 1906, and is still the owner.
Charles H. Rush and family occupied the eastern half of this property for several years, as did Samuel E. Ewing, Esq., and others. Mrs. Mary A. Hagan purchased this property and some of the members of the family occupy it.
East of South Beeson avenue to the alley on the east was a lot that lay vacant until William N. Irwin and George B. Rut- ter erected thereon a large frame building as a planing mill and carpenter shop, and where they dealt in lumber and contract work. They placed but little machinery in the mill and used no steam power. This firm did not last long. W. C. McCor- mick purchased this property and here conducted a grain and feed store and other business for several years. Thomas S. Col- lier purchased this property, fronting 131 feet on the north side of Fayette street and 149 feet on the east side of Beeson avenue in 1901, and here carried on a coal yard and feed store for some time. He erected a modest double frame on the corner of this lot which has been occupied by various tenants, and the frame shop has been occupied by various kinds of business.
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