USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 42
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Z el re
During the occupancy of the frame building above men- tioned, the bank purchased the western part of lot No. 28, on the southeast corner of Main street and Middle alley, and erected thereon a two-story bank building and dwelling house. The banking room occupying the eastern part of the building with a directors' room over and vault in the rear. A solid wall sep- arated this from the dwelling which had its entrance on Middle alley, the name of which was soon changed to that of Bank alley.
Under an act of the legislature of March 21, 1814, the bank obtained a charter the same year, and in a letter written by Cashier Sims dated May 28, 1814, he states that the bank ex- pected to move in a few days to its new banking house.
Books were opened on Monday, May 2, 1814, for the sub- scription of stock, the shares of which were $50 each, five dollars of which were to be paid at the time of subscribing. These books were in the hands of John Kennedy, Joseph Huston, Ellis Baily, Robert Long, Jacob Beeson, Jr., Samuel Trevor, Isaac Meason, Jr., Samuel Huston, Robert Whitehill; the latter two were appointed solicitors for Greene county.
At an election held December 13, 1814, the following direct- ors were chosen: John Kennedy, Jesse Evans, Reuben Baily,
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De ele res cer be en
Da bel
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Daniel Marchand, James Lindsey, Joseph Huston, John Camp- bell, Ellis Baily, John Miller, Jacob Beeson, Jr., John Lyon, Isaac Meason, Jr., Alexander Vance. At a meeting of the directors December 8th following, John Kennedy was unanimously elected president and John Sims, cashier, and the following resolutions were passed: Resolved, that the balance of 40 per centum on each share subscribed be paid to the cashier on or before the 14th of January next or the delinquents will not be entitled to a dividend.
A bank note of fractional currency issued by this bank reads as follows: "This Note for TEN CENTS will be re- ceived on deposit, or in payment of debts, at the UNION BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA. Union Town, Pa., September 4, 1815. John Sims, Cashier."
An election held November 18, 1816, John Kennedy, Reuben Baily, Ellis Baily, John Campbell, Jesse Evans, Joseph Huston, James Lindsey, John Lyon, Daniel Marchand, John Miller, Zadoc Walker, Jacob Beeson, Jr., and Laurence Rider were elected directors, and on Monday, the 25th the directors met and re-elected John Kennedy president and John Sims cashier.
Notice was sent out July 25, 1818, that the report that the Union Bank had suspended specie payment was false, and that the affairs of the bank were in good condition.
On November 1, 1818, a dividend of three per cent. was declared for the last six months, and a statement of the bank made the same day is as follows:
Dr.
Cr.
Stock .$124,793
Stock
$233,538
Discount since last ...
5,628
Silver and gold
778
Notes in circulation ...
91,257
Foreign notes
1,311
Bank of Bedford.
629
Bank of Muskingum .. 527
Contingent fund
487
Real estate
7,705
Bank of Brownsville. 038
Bank of United States
10,965
Bank of Pittsburgh .. .
113
Deposits
9,949
$243,859
$243,859
Notice was sent out prior to the election for directors to be
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History of Uniontoren, Pennsylvania.
held the 16th of November, 1818, requesting that all stock holders vote in person and not by proxy, and stating that the following stockholders had been agreed upon, viz .: James W Nicholson, Robert Long, Jesse Evans, Laurence Rider, Johr Lyon, Jacob Beeson, Samuel Trevor, Robert Skiles, Johr Witherow, John Campbell, David Ewing, Zadoc Springer, James C. Seaton; signed by John Sims, cashier. The election resulted in the election of the following directors: John Kennedy, Johr. Miller, Jesse Evans, John Campbell, Daniel Marchand, Johr Lyon, James Lindsey, John Witherow, John Denny, John Daw- son, John Strickler, James W. Nicholson and James C. Seaton; John Sims, cashier.
Another note of issue of this bank reads :
" No. 1602. The Union Bank of Pennsylvania promises to pay John Stacy or bearer on demand FIVE DOLLARS. Uniontown, Jany. 15, 1819.
Signed, Wm. McKee, Cashier.
Thomas Waller, President."
The bank gave notice on February 9, 1819, that it would not receive other money than that of its own, specie, United States or other par paper.
A supplement to the act regulating banks was passed by the lower house, February 16, 1819, fixing the first of August of that year for the time when, if they did not pay specie, they should lose their charter.
On May 3, 1819, the bank declared a dividend of three per cent. on the capital stock for the last six months.
On September 9, 1819, the board of directors ordered that five per cent. be paid every sixty days on the outstanding debts of the bank; the board wishing to meet the payment of all its paper in circulation as soon as possible and also to close its business as soon as possible.
On May 1, 1820, the bank declared a dividend of four per cent.
At an election held November 20, 1820, the following di- rectors were chosen: John Kennedy, John Denny, Jesse Evans, J. W. Nicholson, John Dawson, Robert Long, Robert Skiles, Hugh Thompson, David Ewing, John Hamilton, John Strickler, S. Y. Campbell and Zadoc Springer, and at a meeting of the directors John Kennedy was elected president. This minute was signed by Benjamin Barton as cashier.
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
John Sims was a native of England and received his naturalization papers from the Supreme court of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia the 17th day of February, 1798. He was a resi- dent within the limits of and under the jurisdiction of the United States on January 29, 1795, and a resident of Pennsylvania at least two years. It appears that he was in declining health for quite a while before his death, and that Benjamin Barton was employed as assistant cashier at the time of his illness and death. He was buried in the old Methodist Episcopal burying ground on Peter street where a modest flat sandstone slab marked his grave for many years, until his friends removed the remains to Philadelphia. Letters of administration were issued to Nathaniel Ewing, Esq., in the estate of John Sims on February 20, 1822.
Twenty or more of the stockholders, representing one- twentieth of the stock, requested a meeting of all the stock- holders on February 21st to take into view the affairs of the bank, and to adopt such measures as the interests of the in- stitution may require, and such as the stockholders deem ex- pedient and just : signed, Samuel Minor, Jacob Beeson, Robert Skiles, David Ewing, Samuel Y. Campbell, Thomas Irwin, John Strickler, John Hamilton, Samuel Trevor, Joseph Torrence, James Finley, Ann Stevens, Hugh Thompson, William Hogg, Nathaniel Breading, John E. Breading, John McClean, Charles Porter, Andrew Oliphant, Robert Long, John Davenport, Samuel Harper, John Harper, David Veech, George Ewing, Dennis Springer, Zadoc Springer, Levi Springer, Jr., James Veech.
Notice was given that the sockholders would meet on the first Monday of November, 1821, to receive a statement of the affairs of the bank : signed, Benjamin Barton, cashier.
Notice was given that the stockholders would meet on the first Monday of November, 1822, to elect five trustees to close the concerns of the bank, according to the act of assembly passed April 1, 1822; signed Thomas Irwin, cashier. An election of officers was held on the 3rd Monday of November, 1823; signed, Thomas Irwin, cashier. An election held on the 3rd Monday of November, 1824, was for the purpose of electing five trustees for the ensuing year. Thomas Irwin, cashier.
Notice was given that two tracts of mountain land, con- taining 200 and 100 acres respectively, belonging to the Union Bank of Pennsylvania, were exposed at sheriff's sale the second Monday of June, 1827. It was announced that an election of
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
officers for the bank would take place November 16, 1829 ; signed, Samuel Clevenger cashier.
Two hundred acres of unseated land in Union township, being part of the "Saddle Bag," tract where the big watering trough is located, belonging to the Union Bank, was offered for sale by the treasurer for county and road tax for the years 1827, 34 cts .; for 1826, 331/3 cts .; road tax for 1827, 331/3 cts .; for 1826, 331/3 cts .; total, $1.34; to be paid by the 2nd of June, 1830.
THE FIRST NATIONAL THE OUTGROWTH OF THE JOHN T. HOGG BANK.
Mr. John T. Hogg opened a private banking office in Union- town in April, 1854, upon the completion of the Tremont Build- ing. Between this date and the closing of the Union Bank of Pennsylvania the financial business of the town had been done principally through the Monongahela Bank of Brownsville, which was organized the same year as the Union Bank. Mr. Hogg es- tablished banks in Brownsville, Connellsville, Mount Pleasant, Bedford and Somerset. His bank here occupied the small room in the Tremont Building facing on Morgantown street now oc- cupied as a millinery store. Mr William Wilson was chosen as the cashier which position he held until in August, 1858, when he resigned to accept the cashiership of the Bank of Fayette County, which commenced business in the same location as the Union Bank had started, but in a modern building. Mr. James T. Redburn succeeded Mr. Wilson as cashier of Mr. Hogg's bank. Soon after this the bank passed into the ownership of Isaac Skiles, Jr., by whom it was continued as a private institution until 1864, when in conformity with the provisions of the national banking law, it became the First National Bank of Uniontown, with a paid up capital of $60,000, which was increased, January 1, 1872, to $100,000.
The corporators of this First National Bank were Robert Finley, Charles S. Seaton, Jasper M. Thompson, Eleazer Robin- son, William Hurford, Isaac Skiles, Jr., James T, Redburn, Hiram H. Hackney and John Wilson. The bank moved its place of business, May 3, 1864, to a larger room in the brick building belonging to Mr. Seaton, on West Main street next west of the Round Corner.
The following gentlemen composed the first board of di- rectors under the new organization; Jasper M. Thompson,
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING.
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Charles S. Seaton, Isaac Skiles, Jr., Eleazer Robinson, James T. Redburn and Robert Finley. Isaac Skiles, Jr., was elected presi- dent and James T. Redburn, cashier. Upon the resignation and removal of Mr. Skiles, Jasper M. Thompson was elected presi- dent on January 11, 1870, and upon the death of Mr. Redburn, May 23, 1877, Josiah V. Thompson was elected cashier.
In 1882 the Bank purchased the property known as the Round Corner, on the corner of West Main and Pittsburgh streets, and in 1883 it added the third story to this building and fitted up the room that had been used for many years as a drug store into which the bank was moved in 1884. In this the bank conducted its business until 1901, when it was decided that more modern and commodious apartments were necessary for the transaction of the rapidly increasing business. On the night of May 16th, of that year, the effects of the bank were removed across West Main street to the new Thompson-Ruby building, and at nine o'clock the following morning the doors were thrown open and business resumed as though nothing unusual had transpired, and here the business of the bank was conducted until the completion of the magnificent new structure erected for its permanent home.
The First National Bank building is located on the north side of West Main street occupying the sites of the former prop- erties known as the Round Corner, residence of Charles S. Seaton, Mrs. John S. Roberts and of Daniel P. Gibson, a front- age of 150 feet. These old buildings were torn away in 1901, and the first stone of the new foundation was laid June 16th, of that year. The building is eleven stories high, and contains be- sides the finely appointed quarters for the bank, four fine business rooms on West Main street and several in the arcade on the first floor, and about 300 rooms on the upper floors for offices and flats, and is built of buff brick and terracotta on steel frame work on modern plans and in the most substantial manner. It is the pride and admiration of the town and vicinity, and it houses more people than inhabit many good sized towns, and stands as a monument to the enterprise characteristic of the officers of the bank.
The First National moved into its new quarters March 31, 1903, where it continued on its career of wonderful prosperity until, outstripping all competitors, it attained the highly honor-
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
able position of first of the Roll of Honor banks of the United States.
The Roll of Honor, at the head of which this bank stands, means that it has more surplus and profits in proportion to its capital, and that it has a broader margin between its assets and its liabilities than any other national bank in the United States.
THE PERSONNEL OF THE FIRST NATIONAL.
To the able management of President Jasper M. Thomp- son the wonderful success and advancement of this bank is greatly due. His foresight into business matters, his high sense of honor and integrity, his promptness and accuracy in all his business relations, together with a charming personality, secured to him the confidence and respect of the public at large. These personal qualities of Mr. Thompson soon permeated the work- ings of the bank and gave to it that prestige that assured its phenomenal success. President Thompson was ably supported by a staff of officials and employes, and upon the lamented death of James T. Redburn, the competent and popular cashier, Presi- dent Thompson's son Josiah V., who had entered the bank in 1871, and made teller in 1872, and was now well schooled in banking, succeeded Mr. Redburn as cashier, June 5, 1877, and Edgar S. Hackney entered the bank as teller in July of the same year.
Upon the death of President Thompson his son, Josiah V., succeeded to that honorable and responsible position, and Mr. Hackney was promoted to the cashiership. Frank M. Semans, Jr., entered the bank May 31, 1888 as teller and was made as- sistant cashier in 1899.
The officials of the bank are: Joshiah V. Thompson, Presi- dent ; James M. Hustead, Vice-President; Edgar S. Hackney, Cashier; Frank M. Semans, Jr., Assistant Cashier ; Thomas B. Semans, Bookkeeper; T. D. Bailes, Bookkeeper; J. H. Sparks, Trust Officer, Safe Deposit department ; Sarah Hadden, Stenog- rapher; Virginia Marshall, Stenographer; James C. Whaley, Receiving teller; I. W. Labarrer, Receiving teller; O. W. Powell, Paying teller; T. D. Bliss, Paying teller; William B. Beeson, Ladies' teller.
The Board of Directors is as follows: Josiah V. Thompson, James M. Hustead, John D. Ruby, William Hunt, William M. Thompson, Harvey C. Jefferis, and E. S. Hackney.
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
It is confidently asserted that if any one of the officials or attaches of this bank were blindfolded and set down on any part of this planet he would establish himself in business within twenty-four hours.
While the high position to which this bank has attained in the ranks of the financial institutions of the land may be at- tributed to the observance of strict and conservative banking principles, yet the congenial personality of the officers and at- taches has ever been a potent factor in the success of the in- stitution.
ARPAD G. KAIL BANK.
Arpad G. Kail established a private banking institution with a capital of $25,000, on February 20, 1892, in a room in the old Round Corner building, which had been previously occupied by the post office, and at the tearing away of that building in 1901, for the erection of the present First National Bank building, Mr. Kail moved his bank to the second floor of the Thompson- Ruby building where he continued business until the completion of the First National Bank building. Upon the removal of the First National bank into its new quarters, Mr. Kail moved into the room vacated by the First National, where he enjoyed an ever-increasing business until in January, 1911, at which time the business was transferred to his brother, L. A. Kail, who con- tinued it in this room for some time.
Mr. Kail speaks six different languages and reads and writes four of them.
This bank became absorbed by the First National, August 31, 1912, as the Foreign Exchange Department of that bank.
THE DOLLARS SAVINGS BANK.
This bank commenced business on January 1, 1870, with A. E. Willson, Esq., as president, and Armstrong Hadden as cash- ier. Its capitalization was $25,000, and by paying 4% interest on time deposits these soon reached the sum of $184,155.85, and the earnings and surplus $16,819.85. The business of the bank was in a flourishing condition at the time of Mr. Hadden's death, October 19, 1872, but contrary to the usual rules of banking, the more the deposits the worse the condition of the bank. The interest on the deposits consumed the profits, as the bank was paying interest on deposits lying idle in her vaults, for which it was getting nothing. The bank closed business on July 19,
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
1878, but not a depositor lost one dollar by the closing of the bank.
Upon the election of Mr. Willson to the Bench of this judicial district in 1873, he resigned the presidency and was suc- ceeded by Robert Hogsett. Upon the death of Mr. Hadden Mr. Charles S. Seaton was chosen to the cashiership, and filled the position most acceptably until April 1, 1878, when he retired and was succeeded by Henry McClay who had been the teller and bookeeper since the organization of the bank.
The business of the bank was conducted in the Harah building on the south side of West Main street, in a room which had been especially fitted up and a vault built for the purpose.
THE PEOPLE'S BANK OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
The People's Bank of Fayette County was chartered March 21, 1873, with a capital of $50,000, with the following named corporators; Samuel A. Gilmore, Alfred Howell, Charles E. Boyle, William McCleary, Eli Cope, John D. Roddy, Ewing Brownfield, E. M. Ferguson, John H. McClelland and James A. Searight.
The board of directors was composed as follows: Ewing Brownfield, president, James A. Searight, cashier, Alfred Howell, James Robinson, John D. Roddy and James Beatty.
The books were opened for business July 14, 1873, and on the 12th of August following, Mr. Searight resigned as cashier and was succeeded by Morgan H. Bowman, who filled the posi- tion until April 3, 1882, when he in turn was succeeded by T. Clark Breckenridge, who was assisted by William McCleary as teller who entered the bank February 2, 1886. Mr. Brecken- ridge was succeeded by Joseph H. Kerr June 15, 1887.
Col. Ewing Brownfield was the first president and held this honorable position until his death, February 19, 1889. James A. Searight was elected vice-president February 2, 1886, and upon the death of Col. Brownfield Mr. Searight succeeded to the presidency. Mr. Searight resigned the presidency June 4, 1901, and on July 2, following, T. S. Lackey was elected president. On February 25, 1905, Joseph H. Kerr was elected vice-presi- dent and Jasper Cope was elected cashier.
Personnel of the bank, T. S. Lackey, president; Joseph H. Kerr, vice-president ; Jasper Cope, cashier ; D. M. Higinbotham, assistant cashier.
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
The bank was opened for business in the old store room of Col. Ewing Brownfield, corner of Arch and West Main streets, and here continued until November 2, 1901, when it moved into the same room with the Citizens' Title and Trust Company, where it conducted business until January 1, 1911, at which time it was taken over by the Citizens' Title and Trust Company.
THE SECOND NATIONAL BANK OF UNIONTOWN, PA.
The Second National Bank of Uniontown was organized March 9, 1896, with a capital of $100,000. The board of di- rectors was composed of D. M. Hertzog, James R. Cray, J. C. Work, Albert Gaddis, O. P. Markle, William McShan, William Binns, Joseph H. Long and G. S. Harah. The officers were D. M. Hertzog, president; James R. Cray, vice-president; G. S. Harah, cashier; and opened its doors for business March 19, 1896.
The bank commenced business in the Harah building on West Main street, in the same room in which the Dollars Sav- ings Bank had been previously located, and here continued busi- ness until the directors purchased the property on the corner of West Main street and Beeson avenue. This old building which had been erected by Robert Skiles and described elsewhere, was torn down and a fine five-story stone, brick and terra cotta building erected in 1901, at a cost of $60,000. Into this building the bank was moved June 30, 1902, and the upper floors were oc- cupied as offices.
Mr. Harah resigned his position as cashier of this bank and Isaac Jackson was elected to succeed him October 1, 1911.
THE CITIZENS' TITLE AND TRUST COMPANY OF UNIONTOWN, PA.
The Citizens' Title and Trust Company was chartered July 12, 1901, with a capital of $150,000, the following named gentle- men composing the board of directors: Albert Gaddis, R. F. Hopwood, William A. Stone, T. S. Lackey, H. L. Robinson, Harry Whyel, J. C. Fulton, R. W. Highinbotham and R. W. Dawson. The officers were: Albert Gaddis, president; R. F. Hopwood, vice-president; William A. Stone, second vice-presi- dent; Joseph H. Kerr, secretary and treasurer; William C. Black, assistant secretary and treasurer.
The company purchased what was originally known as the
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Bryan building on West Main street, and in 1907 erected thereon a fine three-story brick and stone building with banking rooms on the west side and most spacious and up-to-date business rooms on the east, running from Main to Peter street. The company commenced business November 2, 1901 : this company and the People's Bank of Fayette County occupying the sanie room. On January 1, 1911, the Citizens' Title and Trust Com- pany took over the People's Bank of Fayette County. This in- stitution has enjoyed wonderful prosperity, and although the youngest, it now ranks second in the banking institutions of the town.
THE FAYETTE TITLE AND TRUST COMPANY.
A meeting of the subscribers to the stock of a proposed trust company to be organized by some of the business men of Uniontown and vicinity was held November 28, 1899, at which William H. Playford was chosen president and John M. Core, secretary.
It was resolved to organize a title and trust company under the name of "The Fayette Title and Trust Company," the capital stock of which should be $150,000, and the following officers were elected, viz .: President, R. H. Lidnsey; Vice- President, Samuel M. Graham; Treasurer, Arthur W. Bliss. The Board of Directors chosen were as follows: George T. Oliver, John M. Core, James M. Reed, Joseph R. Stouffer, R. H. Lindsey, John P. Breman, Charles L. Snowdon, W. H. Playford, Samuel M. Graham, A. W. Bliss and William A. Hogg.
A lot on the south side of West Main street on which the Willson Block had been erected and which was destroyed by fire July 2, 1898, was procured, and a fine three-story stone front brick business block erected thereon suitable to the business of the company. Upon the completion of this building, a charter having been granted by the legislature of Pennsylvania, Jan- uary 2, 1900, the board of directors resolved to begin business on Monday, April 1, 1901.
R. H. Lindsey tendered his resignation as president, to take effect July 1, 1902, and Orran W. Kennedy was elected to fill the vacancy.
Samuel M. Graham who had served as vice-president, trust officer and treasurer from the organization of the company, died from the effects of an automobile accident September 26, 1908, and he was succeeded as vice-president by A. Plumer Austin,
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
and by Peter E. Sheppard as treasurer and trust officer, who as- sumed the duties of these offices October 1, 1908.
President Orran W. Kennedy died June 8, 1913, and Vice- President, A. Plumer Austin succeeded to that office.
This company, like the other banking institutions of the town, stands high among the financial institutions of the country.
H. FUSARINI BANK.
H. Fusarini was conducting a Banca Italiana as a private institution in Dunbar in 1902, and on August 4, 1903, he moved his offices into the O. W. Kennedy building, corner of East Main and South Gallatin, and here by his good business qualifications, soon built up a profitable and increasing business as a foreign exchange and representative of many steamship lines. Here he conducted business until March 17, 1911, when he connected his business with that of the Fayette Title and Trust company as the Foreign Exchange Department of that institution.
THE BANK OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
The Bank of Fayette County was incorporated under an act of the legislature of Pennsylvania, approved December 5, 1857. The corporators were Isaac Beeson, John Huston, Henry W. Beeson, Armstrong Hadden, Joshua B. Howell, Ewing Brownfield, Joseph Johnson, John K. Ewing, Alfred Patterson, William Bryson, Asbury Struble, Everhart Bierer, Josiah S. Allebaugh, Henry Yeagley, Isaac Franks, Jacob Overholt, Thomas B. Searight, Jacob Murphy, Joseph Hare, Joseph Heaton, John Morgan and Farrington Oglevee. The charter was dated July 9, 1858. The first board of directors was com- posed of Joseph Heaton, Daniel Sturgeon, Isaac Beeson, Ever- hart Bierer, Jacob Murphy, James Robinson, Robert Finley, Isaac Skiles, Jr., Henry W. Gaddis, J. Allen Downer, Joshua B. Howell, Alfred Patterson and Daniel R. Davidson. Alfred Patterson was elected president and William Wilson, cashier.
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