USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 31
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A ten foot alley which marked the old mill race separated the William Lyon plan of lots from the Hugh Thompson meadow which was subsequently laid out in lots to conform to the lots on Fayette street. The first lot on the east side of this alley was occupied by a small frame house which was occupied by various tenants. David Dougle purchased the next lot east, from Alfred Patterson, who had purchased a part of the Hugh Thompson meadow and laid it out in lots, and in 1842 he erected the double brick residence still standing on the lot. Mr. Dougle removed to Washington county but continued to own the prop- erty for several years. Joel Greene owned and occupied this property for a while. M. Myers, a saddler and relative of Greene, lived here a while, since which it has been occupied by various tenants. J. K. Ritenour is the present owner. William B. McCormick conducted a grain and feed store next east of the Dougle house for some time. Robert Hagan purchased this lot and continued the business of a feed store and coal yard for several years. Harry Hagan erected a large, three-story brick ware house on this lot which has been used by the Uniontown Grocery company who conducted a wholesale business. Next east of this ware house is the right-of-way of the South West
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Pennsylvania railroad, and next east of this is South Gallatin avenue.
Lewis Wood erected a frame building on the corner of South Gallatin and East Fayette street which he occupied as a dwelling and his business as a tinner. K. Forzley bought this property and here lived and carried on a grocery and meat market, several others have carried on business in this room. Mrs. Miller mother of Sophie, Elias, Austin and Zach. owned and lived in the frame dwelling now known as 37 East Fayette street. Thomas S. Hepplewhite pur- chased this property and made it his home. Isaac Beeson owned the lot on the corner at the entrance of Iowa street into East Fayette onto which he moved the old Madison fire engine house from Morgantown street, and it became the home of Dicky Paine and his wife, Prissie Patterson Paine for some years. Samuel Magie purchased this lot and erected thereon a comfortable frame dwelling.
Redstone creek was the eastern end of Fayette for many years after that street was laid out. The creek was crossed by a foot bridge until 1859, when the first wagon bridge was erected. Henry Beeson, Jr., son of Henry Beeson, the founder of the town, erected a saw-mill a short distance north of East Fayette street, on the eastern bank of Redstone creek. This mill was operated for several years by Henry Beeson and sub- sequently by Isaac. A small frame tenement stood just south of the mill and was generally occupied by the man in charge of the mill, and is still standing. The school board of Union Borough purchased the ground on which the old saw-mill stood, and erected thereon a frame school house to be used by the colored children, for which a colored teacher was employed. Dissatisfaction arose as to the separation of the races, and the colored children were admitted to the other buildings along with the whites. The building was then remodeled and painted white and the name changed from that of " colored school build- ing " to that of the " White school building " in honor of Joseph White, who had served on the school board for many years, and the small children of the near-by section of the town were assigned to this building.
The congregation of The Tree of Life, known as the Ortho- dox Jews, purchased this property from the school board and converted it into a synagogue. This synagogue was dedicated
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Monday night, October 12, 1908; Rabbi Shinky, chief rabbi of the Orthodox Jews of Pittsburgh, making the dedicatory ad- dress.
At the death of Isaac Beeson the old saw-mill and lot be- tween it and Fayette street became the property of his daughter, Mrs. Louise Hamilton, and the front lot now belongs to the estate of Hon. J. K. Ewing. East of this property the right- of-way of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad crosses East Fayette street.
A two-story white frame house stood east of the B. & O. crossing a few feet back from the street. The boards were nar- row, grooved and tongued and placed vertically on the sides. A covered porch extended along the front of the house. Andrew Dutton was a tenant of Isaac Beeson here for many years, as were George Mclaughlin and Jimmy Hagan.
James Moran purchased 146 feet frontage immediately east of the B. & O. crossing and erected a row of six neat and com- fortable dwellings which have since been occupied by various tenants. Jacob McFarland purchased a lot east of the Moran row and erected thereon a neat frame residence which he oc- cupied for some time. This subsequently came into the owner- ship of George W. Litman who made it his home until his death, August 21, 1904.
Samuel Magie purchased the lot on the western corner of Pennsylvania avenue and East Fayette street, and Miss Ida L. Gray purchased this lot and erected thereon a fine, modern, brick residence, and occupied it from the time of its completion.
Max Baum purchased a lot of 228.5 feet frontage on the north side of East Fayette street and immediately east of Penn- sylvania avenue, which was previously a part of the tract run- ning through to East Main street and belonging to D. Kaine, Prof. Cox, at one time president of Madison college, Isaac Skiles and A. D. Boyd. William J. Sturgis, Esq., purchased the lot next east of Pennsylvania avenue and erected a fine brick residence which he occupied upon its completion.
A lot was purchased from E. D. Fulton by what is known as "The Reformed Church " among the Jewish people, and a Jewish synagogue, known as the Temple Israel was erected thereon at a cost of $25,000, which was dedicated August 30, 1907, by Rabbi Dr. Joseph Krauskope.
R. P. Kennedy purchased the 70-foot lot between the syna-
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gogue and Willson avenue, on which stood a very small frame house which had been erected by Isaac Skiles, Jr., as a home for " Aunt Betsy " Guthrie, the widow of Rev. James Guthrie, and former widow of Jesse Beeson. In this she made her home for a short time. Henry Melier, a well-known gardner in the early history of the town, and who formerly owned considerable land and gardened at the west end of town, lived here a while, as did many others. James Henderson erected on this lot a fine modern brick residence which he occupied from its com- pletion. Orran W. Kennedy, a prominent coal and coke operator, erected a fine, modern, frame residence on the eastern corner of Willson avenue and East Fayette street which he occupied from its completion. Harvey T. Jaco built and occupied a comfort- able frame residence next east of O. W. Kennedy.
The family of Alfred Gorley erected a frame residence on the west side of Stewart avenue and occupied it for many years. John C. Wood built a frame residence on a lot of 124 feet on the north side of East Fayette street and east side of Stewart avenue, and lived here for some time. He was a manufacturer and dealer in furniture. His sister, Mrs. Robert Hagan, erected a small, double, frame tenement just east of the above. Charles T. Cramer purchased this lot, from Stewart avenue to an alley on the east and tore away the old buildings preparatory to the erection of a fine, modern residence which was completed in 1912 from which time he made it his home. Charles T. Cramer erected a comfortable frame dwelling east of the alley mentioned, and made this his home for several years from the time of its completion. Thomas H. Lewis and Robert Knight bought a considerable frontage on East Fayette street and Mr. Lewis built a frame residence which he occupied for a time. George H. Miller bought the Lewis house and added many im- provements and made this his home until his death, Novem- ber 24, 1905. His son, Clyde, still holds the property. Mr. Miller had been a thrifty and honored business man of the town for many years. Robert Knight built a frame residence east of the one erected by Thomas H. Lewis which he occupied for several years. Enoch H. Abraham purchased this property and greatly improved it and occupied it while superintending the Warren glass plant near the foot of Grant street. Harry Whyel bought this property and further embellished it and here
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made his home. He was superintendent of the H. C. Frick coke works at Leith for many years.
Harry S. Clark, a druggist, purchased a lot of 54 feet front- age immediately west of Grant street in 1899, and erected thereon a modern frame residence and occupied it from the time of its completion.
George Jenkins, a well known colored man, owned the first lot east of Grant street, and here he and his wife lived in a small shanty still standing. Rebecca Porter, a colored woman owned and lived in a small house east of the Jenkins house. Isaac W. Semans bought both of these lots and tore the buildings away. John W. Darby owned and occupied the next lot, on which stood a frame house. Mr. Darby served as register and re- corder of the county for two terms, being elected to these of- fices November 2, 1875, and again November 5, 1878. He was much respected by the community. Nathan Woodward owned and lived next east of John W. Darby in a red frame house, and after his death it was owned and occupied by his daughter, the wife of S. G. Patterson.
George Whyel owned a fine, large lot east of the above de- scribed properties. On this lot a large hippodrome was con- structed in 1910 and several exhibitions were held, but after several unsuccessful attempts the project was abandoned, and in 1912 the structure was torn away. . Across a ten-foot alley east of the hippodrome lot Benjamin Douglass, a worthy colored man, built a frame house and lived there until his death. It has since been in the occupancy of his son, Gilson Douglass. Armor S. Craig built two neat frame dwellings east of the Douglass property which have been occupied by his sons, Altha and Armor D. C. C. Woodfill built a frame tenement east of the Craig property, and Alex. Johnson built the last house on the north side, in which Johnson lived.
FAYETTE STREET, SOUTH SIDE.
William D. Swearingen purchased 40 feet of the eastern part of the Alfred Patterson lot, on the south side of Fayette street and next east of Morgantown street, on which he erected a two-story frame dwelling some twenty feet back from the street. Mr. Swearingen occupied this house but one year when he moved to the village of Monroe and took charge of the flouring mill built there by Thomas Hopwood, which he ran for
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20 years. William McCleary, the son-in-law of Mr. Swear- ingen, moved into this house and occupied it for some time. O1. Wells was also an occupant here. Peter A. Johns pur- chased this property and occupied it as a residence for many years and died here September 20, 1876. Mr. Johns was a member of Col. Roberts' command in the war with Mexico, was elected to the offices of register and recorder of the county, 1851, and as a member of the legislature in 1855. He enlisted and served in the war of the rebellion and was appointed as postmaster at Uniontown in 1870, which office he held at the time of his death. He was admitted to the bar of Fayette county December 7, 1857. His family retained the property some years after Mr. John's death. J. V. E. Ellis tore away the old house and erected the present brick residence and oc- cupied it.
Samuel T. Lewis, uncle of Marshall N. and Samuel Lewis, bought lot No. 15 in William Lyon's plan of lots, on the south side of Fayette street, and next east of the above described prop- erty, January 18, 1827. On this he built a two-story brick resi- dence which he occupied until his death. Daniel Lynch, who had served a term as high sheriff of Fayette county, occupied this house at the time Isaac Skiles, Jr., married his daughter, Caroline. His daughter, Anna, married a wealthy book pub- lisher of Cincinnati. Benjamin Hellen purchased this property from Alexander Turner, October 7, 1850, and this became the home of his son, Peter H. Hellen, for many years. Peter Hook Hellen was engaged in merchandising in the early history of the town, and in 1853, he erected the three-story business block on the southeast corner of West Main and Morgantown streets. The Hellen heirs conveyed this property to the members of the Great Bethel Baptist church who tore away the old buildings and erected a handsome stone parsonage. The members of the Great Bethel Baptist church began the erection of a two-story brick meeting house on the southwest corner of Union and Fay- ette streets in 1867, in which the first service was held in the lower room March 14, 1869, and here continued for ten years, until the auditorium was completed in 1879, and the dedicatory services were held August 17th of that year. The last public services were held in this brick church May 11, 1891, at which time plans were completed for the erection of the present stone structure. The corner stone of this building was laid with ap-
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propriate ceremonies October 28, 1901, and the edifice was dedi- cated, free of debt, with appropriate services, October 11, 1903.
John Bradbury purchased lots Nos. 18, 19, 20 and 21 east of Union street, the first of which Benjamin Wintermute owned and occupied and carried on his business as a stone cutter for many years. Mr. Wintermute was a son-in-law of Enos West who succeeded Wintermute in the ownership of this property and William A. West became an occupant. The title passed to Zadoc Fleming, another son-in-law in whose family it still remains.
Isaac Beeson built a large, two-story, double brick resi- dence on lots Nos. 19 and 20, in 1848 ; and Judge Samuel A. Gil- more was a tenant of Mr. Beeson in this house soon after his appointment as president judge of Fayette county. Alfred Howell, Esq., purchased the western half of this property in 1861, and added the third story and other improvements. Henry Jennings purchased this property from the Howell heirs and made it his home.
Mrs. William McClelland, widow of William McClelland who in his lifetime was proprietor of the old McClelland tavern, was an occupant of the eastern part of this property until her death. Rev. William F. Hamilton, son-in-law of Isaac Beeson, was an occupant for several years, as was Mrs. Eliza Beeson, widow of Isaac Beeson. William Beeson was in the occupancy of this property for many years, and died here May 14, 1913, in his 89th year.
Isaac Skiles, Jr., built the house east of the Beeson prop- erty in 1848, and occupied it for several years. His brother, William Skiles, senior member of the popular dry goods firm of W. & T. D. Skiles, occupied this residence for some time and died here December 18, 1862. Amos Bowlby bought this prop- erty and resided here for several years, and conveyed it to M. H. Bowman; and Chas. F. Kefover, Esq., was its occupant for several years.
The next house east was apparently built at the same time and by the same person, as they were twin houses. Both stood a little back from the street and had small yards enclosed by an iron fence and stone steps leading to the door. Louis D. Beall, one of the best known liverymen and horse dealers of the town, owned and occupied this property, and died here May 6, 1871. Morgan H. Bowman purchased this property and greatly en-
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larged and improved it making it one of the most desirable residences on the street.
Alfred Patterson, Esq., purchased all of the eastern part of the William Lyon plan of lots, beginning at the present resi- dence of M. H. Bowman and running eastward on both sides of Fayette street to and including the alley east of Beeson ave- nue. Mr. Patterson sold to Mrs. Ann Bowie a lot of 45 feet frontage on which she erected a good two-story brick house which she made her home the remainder of her days. Mrs. Bowie came from Maryland with her sons, Lucien B., Theo- philus, John and George. Col. Thomas B. Searight bought this property about 1866, and here made his home which is still in the possession of his family.
A frame house was built next east of Searights for a home for Dr. William Fuller, son of Dr. Smith Fuller. Here he lived for some time. David Freedberg bought this property and added many and valuable improvements and made it his home. Dr. Fuller erected a small, one-story frame building on his lot which he used as an office in the latter part of his medical practice. This building was removed to the rear of the lot. A brick residence was erected on this lot which was occupied for a time by Hugh L. Rankin, and later by Miss Lizzie Fuller who owned it and the frame before mentioned.
Alfred Patterson, Esq., erected the large, double brick house on this lot in 1842, and occupied the eastern part from the time of its erection until his removal to Pittsburgh. Mr. Patter- son erected a small brick building on the corner of his yard which he occupied as a law office for some time. Joshua B. Howell was the first tenant of the western part of this double brick from the time of its completion, and in 1856 he purchased 124 feet frontage, including the western half of his house and running to the Searight property. Dr. Smith Fuller purchased all this property in 1866, and here made his home until his death, March 14, 1892. His son, Dr. John M. Fuller still owns and occupies the property.
Zalmon Ludington purchased the Alfred Patterson resi- dence and lot east and occupied it for several years, after which Nathan Divvens, a successful tobacco merchant owned and oc- cupied it for several years, and it is still owned by his heirs. The vacant lot east of this residence was absorbed by the open- ing of South Beeson avenue. Mr. Ludington and wife conveyed
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to Mrs. Albert G. Beeson the eastern lot of the Lyon's plan of lots, on which, in 1878, she erected a comfortable brick resi- dence which she occupied for several years and still owns.
James R. Cray erected two modern brick residences next east of South Beeson avenue which have since been occupied by various tenants.
Mr. Shipley erected a brick residence lining on the alley east of the Mrs. Beeson residence and occupied for some time. He was followed by a number of tenants. Robert Hagan is the present owner. A neat frame tenement was erected just east of the Shipley building and is owned by Robert Hagan, who also erected a brick tenement next east of the above.
David Lewis built the two brick houses next east of the before mentioned property. David Lewis was one of the aristoc- racy of the colored folks of the town, and was a barber by trade. He carried his shaving tools about the town and waited on his numerous customers at their residences, He was a leader in the church and colored society. He was the father of Tabitha, who became the wife of Martin Armstead, and of Eliza, who became the wife of Alexander Moxley. These two daugh- ters were of the most respectable colored residents of the town. David Lewis lived in the part later owned and occupied by William A. Donaldson and built the western part for a home for his mother. James Monahon owned and occupied the western part for several years. It is now owned by Robert Hagan.
William A. Donaldson purchased the David Lewis resi- dence and made it his home the remainder of his life, and his family still own and occupy the property. William A. Donald- son was born at Emmittsburg, Md., February 14, 1818, and came to Uniontown in 1839. He was a buggy and coach and sign painter, and was a master in his line. He was a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. Mr. Donaldson erected the double frame tenement east of his residence which has been occupied by various tenants.
Charles E. Kremer purchased a small lot immediately east of the South West Pennsylvania right-of-way and erected a small frame residence which was subsequently enlarged and converted into a dwelling and business room. T. Sutton Wood erected a frame dwelling and business room next east, and oc- cupied it with his business as a tinsmith. This property was
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subsequently much enlarged, and owned and occupied by Joshua Scott.
Nathan Allen, a well known colored man of the town, owned the lots next west of Redstone creek and here lived in a small house. William Hall, the coach trimmer and carpet layer, pur- chased this property and erected thereon one or two frame dwellings. At his death these passed to the ownership of his nephew, Fred Thomas.
James E. Cottom erected a brick business block and dwell- ings immediately over Redstone creek in 1911.
Mr. Cottom also built the stone residence immediately east of the creek, and occupied it as a residence. He also erected two double frame dwellings east of his residence.
East of the Cottom houses Samuel C. and Alf Johnson built a large brick building in which they established machin- ists, hot water and steam fitters and a general repair shop, to which, in 1904, C. W. Johnson added a concrete automobile garage, subsequently the two were united and became known as the Fayette automobile garage, which has been owned and operated by different parties.
William R. Miller built a frame residence and plumbing shop east of the garage and here carried on his business for some time. He retired from the plumbing business and the room was rented for a grocery, and subsequently used by Daniel J. Johnson as a milk depot. Eggers and Graham erected a frame building next west of the B. & O. railroad crossing as an office to their planing mill in the rear.
The first residence east of the B. & O. right-of-way was erected by Milton Freeman who occupied it as a residence for a short time. He sold it to Frank Lewellen, who after occupy- ing it a while conveyed it to Robert Hogsett in 1902, since which time Mr. Hogsett has occupied it. George Daugherty built a double frame tenement next east of the Freeman house and sold it to Joseph Fell who still owns it. Sutton Wood built a frame dwelling next east, and after occupying it one year sold it to George W. Semans who has since occupied it.
Hon. Frank M. Fuller, son of Dr. Smith Fuller, erected the fine brick residence next west of Pennsylvania avenue exten- sion, and occupied it from the time of its completion until his death, July 10, 1905. Frank M. Fuller was born April 7, 1853, was admitted to the bar, 1879, was made secretary of the com-
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monwealth by Governor Pennypacker in January, 1903, which honorable position he held at the time of his death. His widow, who was Miss Amanda Wyatt, still owns and occupies the prop- erty. John Taylor erected a fine brick residence immediately east of Pennsylvania avenue and occupied it from the time of its completion. He was interested in the manufacture of coke. Fred C. Keighley erected the fine brick dwelling next east of the Tailor House and occupied it. He is considered the highest authority on the manufacture of coke in Fayette county. Mr. Keighley had built a frame dwelling on the eastern part of his lot in which he lived until he finished his present home. Mrs. William E. Hogg, his daughter, now occupies the frame.
Judge John Kennedy Ewing owned several acres of land fronting on East Fayette street. This fine lot of valuable ground the judge magnanimously offered to donate to the in- habitants of Uniontown upon which to erect a free public library. Mr. Andrew Carnegie having agreed to donate the sum of $5,000 toward the erection of a building for that purpose. The borough never decided to accept Judge Ewing's princely gift nor Mr. Carnegie's generous donation. After the death of Judge Ewing his heirs laid out this plat of ground into building lots, and extended Willson avenue southward from Fayette street to the B. & O. right-of-way on which have been erected several modern and comfortable dwellings.
On the first lot east of Willson avenue the Uniontown high school building was erected in 1910-11, as related elsewhere.
L. P. Whiteman erected the present residence of Capt. James M. Hustead, known as 180 East Fayette street. Capt. Hustead added many and valuable improvements to this property and made it his home. Capt. Hustead is widely and favorably known as one of the most prosperous business men of the town, and his kindly and genial disposition has secured him hosts of friends. Thomas Hadden purchased several acres of land fronting on East Fayette street on which he erected a fine brick residence opposite the mouth of Stewart avenue in which he lived until he moved to Bucks county, Pa. He sold this prop- erty to Harry Hazzard, son-in-law to Judge A. E. Willson, who after occupying it a while conveyed it to Jasper Augustine who added many improvements and occupies it along with his magnificent county seat in Somerset county.
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