USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 5
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William Medkirk, who had been proprietor of the Union Hotel on the opposite side of the street, succeeded Harry Gil- bert in 1851. He had a son, George, who worked under Samuel Bryan in building the court house in 1846-47, and also the Bryan building soon after. An attempt was made in May, 1850, and again in August, 1851, by some adventurers from the United
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
States under the command of a Spaniard named Narcisso Lopez to revolutionize the island of Cuba. George Medkirk joined the last filibustering expedition, but both expeditions failed. The whole 450 men who landed were either killed in battle or taken prisoners. Of the latter 50 were shot, and shortly after- ward Lopez himself was garroted. Young Medkirk in relating his hair-breadth escapes and thrilling experiences said that when captured they were confined in a prison excavated under the ocean, and were taken out daily and marched in a circle and every certain number was taken out and shot, the number varying each time. Medkirk said that at one time the lot fell upon the man in front of him, and at another time the man just behind him was the unfortunate one. The govern- ment of the United States interfered and stopped the butchery and young Medkirk reached home to relate his experience to his boy chums of Uniontown.
In removing west William Medkirk fell from the boat on which he had taken passage and was drowned.
This old building was subsequently used as store rooms for many years. Captain S. S. Snyder carried on a confectionery and bakery here for some time in the early 50's. Johnze Dicus threw the two rooms into one and carried on a feed, flour and bacon store in the 50's. James H. Springer and Thomas Sturgis bought out the store of Johnze Dicus about August 20, 1857. A wide hall separated the eastern and western rooms of this old building, and both rooms were frequently used by the same tenants. In this hall Springer kept two rows of whisky in barrels, to this Sturgis objected and withdrew from the firm, Calvin Springer taking his place. William Thorndell, Jr., soon purchased the interest of Calvin Springer. While in the oc- cupancy of Springer and Thorndell the building was burned, May 29, 1859. The property at that time was owned by Wil- liam Crawford.
Ezekiel Shelcutt, who formerly carried on a bakery and cake and beer shop just east of the old court house, conducted his business for some years in an old building immediately west of the old Ben Miller tavern stand. His place was always popular and was a favorite resort for his many friends who whiled away their time enjoying his unequaled cakes and beer. He was odd in his manners, and always had an eye to business, driving his trade with considerable tact and success. Many of
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
our older citizens recall an incident that happened to Ezekiel Shelcutt on the occasion of a jollification with some of his friends. They had been imbibing pretty freely when Harry Jack, a stone-cutter by trade, put a paper wad into a gun and fired it into Shelcutt's anatomy. This proved to be a very serious practical joke, as the wad penetrated the flesh to such a distance as to cause considerable of a wound. This incident was the occasion of much talk, and was commemorated in verse.
Charles A. Shelcutt succeeded his father, at the "Sign of the Star " in 1843, or took charge of his father's business, and he, in turn, was succeeded in the same business by Samuel S. Snyder, who carried on here for some itme.
Johnze Dicus opened here in the grocery business with Tobias Sutton as an associate. Mr. Sutton was running a flour- ing mill up Redstone creek and here were the headquarters for the sale of the products of the mill. As before mentioned, Mr. Dicus occupied the two buildings and sold out to James H. Springer & Co., who were the occupants of the property when destroyed by fire.
An old well pump stood at the curb on the line between lots 23 and 24 and was known in the early history of the town as the Knapp pump, from the fact that Jacob Knapp was the first purchaser of lot No. 24, November 2, 1789, and doubtless he had the well dug near that date. This pump was kept in order by small contributions from the neighbors. The sub- scription lists, still extant, show that this pump was in opera- tion before 1800. This old well afforded an abundant supply of pure, cold water to the inhabitants of that vicinity and the thirsty public for more than a century, and even long after the city water was introduced; but at last when a new pump was needed this was among the last of the public wells to be aban- doned.
A one-story brick law building was erected on the site of the old Ben Miller tavern, conjointly, by A. E. Willson and Edward Campbell in 1868, and was known as the Willson- Campbell Law Building. Charles E. Boyle later purchased the Campbell interest and the building was long known as the Willson-Boyle Law Building: Mr. Boyle occupying the eastern offices and Judge Willson and others the western. In this building many of the legal lights of the Fayette county bar read law under the able tutorage of Mr. Boyle.
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
This building was torn away in October, 1897, and on its site was erected the fine, stone front, Blackstone Building by Judges Nathaniel Ewing and S. Leslie Mestrezat.
Col. Edward Campbell, in 1870, erected a two-story brick residence and law office on the site of the old Shelcutt store room and occupied the office while his father, Dr. Hugh Camp- bell, occupied the residence part. It was used later as a board- ing house. William A. Hogg, Esq., purchased this property, and had commenced to change it into law offices when he died. It is still known as the Hogg Law Building.
The brick building now occupying the southeast corner of East Main street and South Gallatin avenue and occupied as law offices and business room was erected by J. D. Boyd and I. L. Johnson and known as the Boyd-Johnson Law Building. O. W. Kennedy purchased this property in 1901, and erected business rooms and dwellings along South Gallatin avenue to South street, making it a very desirable business section of the town.
Lot No. 24 was purchased from Henry Beeson by Jacob Knapp, November 2, 1789. He evidently kept a tavern on this lot at a very early date, as he was licensed for such in 1788, and for several years subsequently. He was appointed high constable at the organization of the borough, April 3, 1796.
The widow of Jacob Knapp, familiarly known as Granny Knapp, was the mother of William Crawford and lived in a little one and a half-story log house of two rooms which stood half way down on the lot. A small two-story brick house stood on the eastern part of this lot. In this Theophilus Bowie went to housekeeping and lived until he built his home on Union street. Here he lived and had his tin-shop in 1836.
Dr. Alfred Meason lived here and had his office in the same in 1830. Dr. C. N. J. McGill removed to the office formerly of Dr. Meason, directly opposite the Genius of Liberty, March 30, 1836.
A two-story frame building stood on the western part of this lot, next to a twenty foot alley. John B. Trevor occupied this frame during his term as prothonotary, January, 1822 to May, 1824. He was a smart man and a good orator, and had a personal resemblance to Henry Clay. He was Captain of the Union Volunteers, July 19, 1823. He was active in politics. In the fall of 1824, he announced that having recently formed
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
business relations which will require his removal to Phila- delphia, he offered his household effects at public sale. He entered a banking house in Philadelphia, which failed, and Mr. Trevor, being a heavy stockholder, was financially ruined, which so broke his spirits that he never regained his usual vigor.
It appears that John Dawson purchased the western part of this lot from Elizabeth Crawford and Jacob Knapp, Jr., et ux. fronting 43 feet on Main street, October 2, 1832, upon which he erected a two-story brick building, suitable for a dwelling and an office.
W. D. Barclay purchased this lot from John Dawson, December 23, 1845, removed the frame building and erected a large brick dwelling and store room. The store room was next to the alley. In this Mr. Barclay kept a dry goods store for some time. In the eastern part of this building was a small room in which Mr. Barclay kept his office when he became the secretary of the Fayette County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, to which office he was elected by the Board of Directors to succeed James Piper, June 5, 1849.
L. M. Kline, Robert Whigham and Theodore Marlin were doing business in the Barclay room previous to June 29, 1848, at which time Kline withdrew and Whigham and Marlin con- tinued at the old stand. John Hopwood of Monroe, auctioned off his stock of goods in the room of W. D. Barclay during March court, 1853. Moses Shehan opened a new clothing house in this room in 1851.
After Mr. Barclay retired from active life the small office was used for many years by different attorneys, among whom may be mentioned Hon. Samuel A. Gilmore, G. W. K. Minor and others.
W. D. Barclay was the efficient secretary of the Fayette County Mutual Fire Insurance Company for many years and during his incumbency the company was in a most flourishing condition. Mr. Barclay was an active and consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He was born Sep- tember 4, 1801, and died May 15, 1865. His heirs sold this property to Dr. R. M. Walker March, 1875, and here he made his home and practiced medicine for many years. On February 28, 1890, the borough condemned this property for the purpose of opening Gallatin avenue, and rented the building to the county for two years, in which the several courts were held, and the public records kept while the new court house was building.
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Between lots Nos. 24 and 26 was a space of one hundred and twenty-two and a half feet. Next west of lot No. 24 was a fourteen and a half foot alley, then a space of 35 feet through. which the original mill-race ran diagonally, then came lot No. 25. John Wood purchased 63 feet frontage of the lot immedi- ately west of the alley, June 23, 1791, including the old mill- race. After many conveyances, this lot came into the pos- session of Jonathan Rowland, who on January 13, 1794, con- veyed it to Jacob Beeson, son of Henry Beeson, the founder of the town. He was born April 3, 1769. His first wife was Lydia White to whom he was married November 30, 1790, and by whom he had four sons and one daughter, viz. : Henry White, Jesse, Isaac, Mary, Richard. His second wife was Judith Ann Broughton, to whom he was married November 30, 1806, and by whom he had six children, viz .: Jacob, William Broughton, Lydia Ann, Job John, Strother McNeal, and Phebe S. His first wife died February 27, 1801, and his second wife died at Niles, Michigan, in 1869.
Jacob Beeson established his store on this lot and here he lived and conducted his business until his death. General Eph- raim Douglass, in writing to General William Irving under date of February 6-11, 1784, in which he mentioned that Uniontown then had "five retail shops" it is supposed that the Beeson store was one of that number, and although Jacob Beeson is accredited with being the founder of the Beeson store which held the lead in the town for more than a century, it is not at all probable that a fourteen year old boy founded the store in 1783. The fact that he established his store in this property after purchasing it in 1794, and it was conducted by himself and his descendants, uninterruptedly, until 1897, is a record unprece- dented in the history of the town. It appears that Jacob Bee- son's son, Henry W., succeeded his father in the store in 1818, and that he soon withdrew and the father and another son, Isaac, continued the business until November 31, 1819, when a dissolution took effect. Jacob Beeson died February 13, 1820. His widow subsequently married a Mr. Lewis and later moved to Niles, Michigan, where she died in 1869.
Jacob Beeson evidently associated with himself in business his two sons, Henry W. and Isaac; as Henry W. advertised himself as in business, December 21, 1814 and up to 1819, when
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
on December 31, of that year the firm of J. and I. Beeson is dissolved and each of the three members took one third of the stock of goods. The whole invoicing near nine thousand dollars, would indicate an immense stock for a store in that early history of the town. It is evident that Henry W. soon retired from business as on March 14, 1820, he requests that all accounts due him be settled with Isaac.
Henry W. was engaged in merchandising farther west on Main street, as he erected a two-story brick building in 1820, and occupied it as a residence and business room until he sold it to his brother, Isaac, who soon thereafter erected the brick store room in which the business of the great and famous Bee- son store was conducted for many years.
East of the store room and residence of Jacob Beeson stood a frame building, also belonging to Jacob Beeson and was oc- cupied at various times by different tenants. John A. Donne, an old time school teacher, and an able man, taught in this building for some time, and the children of Jacob Beeson were among his pupils. He was an accomplished scholar and com- petent teacher. He lies buried in Mt. Olivet cemetery at Fred- erick, Md.
R. R. Elliott, a barber, occupied this building in 1830 with his business which he advertised by the high sounding name of " Rasoretical Headquarters." Bill Blaney also carried on barbering here in 1835. Richard Beeson, son of Jacob, occupied this as a residence for a while and so did John Jackson, as a boarding house. Hon. R. P. Flenniken lived here for a short time, and when Isaac Beeson tore away the old frame and built a two-story brick residence in 1836, Mr. Flenniken became the first tenant, then followed Daniel Canon, Samuel Duncan, E. P. Oliphant, John Canon, Matthew Allen, Rev. W. F. Hamilton, whose wife was Louisa Beeson, daughter of Isaac Beeson, Dr. John Fuller and others. John R. Willson purchased this property and moved into it April 1, 1879, and lived here twenty-six years and sold it to Isaac N. Hagan who took possession April 1, 1905, and converted it into business rooms and built other busi- ness rooms facing Gallatin avenue.
Judith Ann Broughton was the daughter of William Broughton, who fought under Col. George Washington in the campaign of 1754, and was at the surrender of Fort Necessity. She came to this country on horseback over bridle paths before
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
highways were constructed. She remained a resident of Union- town some years after the death of her husband and removed to Niles, Mich., where she died at an advanced age.
Before the death of Jacob Beeson, his son, Henry W. took charge of the store, Nov. 26, 1818, with his brother, Isaac, as clerk, who before March 14, 1820, became the owner.
The property in which Jacob Beeson lived and kept his store was a large frame building painted red. Richard Beeson purchased this property at the sale of his father's estate and he in turn conveyed it to his brother, Isaac.
After the death of Jacob Beeson this property was oc- cupied as follows: In 1821, Hardesty Walker announced that he had removed his silversmith shop to the room lately oc- cupied by Jacob Beeson as a store. In 1826 the Genius of Liberty was published from this building, and again, from 1830 to 1834 it was issued from the same building.
William Thorndell, Jr., located in Uniontown about 1840, and in 1841 purchased this property from Isaac Beeson and here established himself as a baker and confectioner, which business he conducted for about ten years when he was suc- ceeded by Simon S. Snyder in the same business, who con- tinued till the time of his death, March 28, 1853. Mr. Snyder was succeeded by George Ingles in the same business until he was accidentally killed while out gunning with a friend, June 23, 1855, and his widow continued the business a few years. Others have followed the same business here, among whom were H. V. Combs, Richard Stewartson, William B. Stewartson, and others. Jacob Fell purchased this property from William Thorndell March 20, 1866.
Jacob Fell conveyed to Ernest E. Weniger, 1878. Mr. Weniger tore away the old red frame building and erected the present two-story brick residence and business rooms in which he lived for several years when he removed to Pittsburgh, since which his son Edward has occupied the property as a residence and store room. Mr. Weniger, conducted a bakery and con- fectionery, and by industry and frugality acquired considerable valuable property.
Samuel King purchased from Henry Beeson a part of lot No. 25, containing 45 feet on Elbow street, June 23, 1791. He was a native of Adams county and was located in Uniontown as early as 1789. He received the appointment of postmaster
15 celon's Jonny Lottery-
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BEESON'S TOWN LOTTERY.
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
from President Washington, and opened the office January 1, 1795, in his store room. His first wife was Polly Coulter, a sister to Mrs. John Lyon, whom he married January 3, 1791, by whom he had three sons. His second wife was Mrs. Ann Marshall, a sister to Thomas Hadden, Esq., by whom he had one daughter who became the second wife of Judge John Hus- ton. Mr. King died August 5, 1803, and his widow died June 23, 1835.
John Clark, who married Jane, daughter of Jacob Beeson, founder of the western part of the town, came from Western Virginia and carried on merchandising in the old Samuel King property. He died in early manhood and his widow, who was familiarly known as Aunt Jane Clark, survived him several years and was a woman of unusual intelligence.
Hugh Thompson, Sr., succeeded John Clark as a merchant and owned the property. Having been east and returning in a buggy by the way of Bedford overtook R. L. Barry, then a boy, on his way to this place, took him in and brought him to Union- town, where he made his home and became one of its useful citizens. Samuel and Daniel Witherow kept store here for a while and Samuel was considered one of the most upright men who ever lived in the town.
John L. Means, a well known tailor of the town, occupied this property in 1851, and advertised his business in the fol- lowing characteristic style: "Whereas in the course of human events it becomes necessary for John L. Means, fashionable tailor, to change his location, it is right and proper for him to announce through the medium of a newspaper his whereabouts, and in so doing he shall not arrogate to his establishment high sounding titles as is the custom of some 'ad captandum rogus ' but modestly state in 'propriapersona ' that his shop is directly opposite the hardware store on Main street, where in the lan- gauge of the poet,
Those who wish clothing made to please, And in the latest fashion,
Shall have them fit with grace and ease,
If they but bring the cash on, or any kind of country produce whatever."
John Clark Beeson, a namesake of John Clark before men- tioned owned and occupied this property as a residence and car-
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
ried on his business as a furniture manufacturer and dealer. While in his occupancy the store room, which was of logs and separate from the dwelling, fell down of a sudden and was re- placed by a brick building, and was later occupied by various tenants as a store room. Miss Julia Wood purchased this property from Mr. Beeson and occupied it as a residence and rented the business rooms for many years. After her death, which occurred February 17, 1899, it came into the possession of Alonzo C. Hagan, Esq., who tore away the old buildings and erected a fine three-story business block which was first ready for occupancy April 1, 1906. The first and second floors were fitted for business and the third for fraternity lodges.
William and John Lee purchased lot No. 26 from Henry Beeson in 1789. They were brothers of Rebecca McClelland, mother of Joseph P. McClelland, and of Polly Phillips, wife of Rev. John Phillips. They owned other property in the town. They conveyed this lot to George Ebert who soon conveyed it to Reuben and Ellis Baily, who were Quakers by faith and natives of Chester county. Reuben settled in this town in 1792 or '93, and started a store; and his brother, Ellis, came out in 1795 and joined him in business, in which they continued to- gether until 1812, when Reuben retired and Aaron Gregg became a partner with Ellis. This partnership was dissolved March 20, 1819, and Ellis retired from business in 1820.
Reuben Baily was born February 19, 1772, and became a miller by trade. He bought a farm in the neighborhood of Uppermiddletown which he traded for a part of the William Campbell farm, immediately south of Uniontown. This farm he gave to his favorite nephew, Ellis Baily Dawson, a grand- son and namesake of his brother, Ellis.
It was through Reuben Baily negotiations were transacted in procuring from the city of Philadelphia the first hand fire engine for Uniontown. This old engine bears the date 1798, and was purchased in 1802, and rendered valuable services until a steamer was purchased. It is still preserved as a relic. Reuben Baily never married, and died at the home of his brother, Ellis, in 1832, at the age of 60 years.
Ellis Baily and wife had but one child, who became the wife of Judge John Dawson. Ellis Baily died November 10, 1853, in the 80th year of his age, leaving an aged widow. Dr.
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
William H. Sturgeon occupied this property for a number of years as a residence and physician's office.
The Ellis Baily residence and store room was a two-story frame building with the store room on the east of a hall and the parlor on the west. A small yard was on the east next to the Hugh Thompson property. This was enclosed by a high, tight board fence. In this yard stood for many years an enor- mous snow-ball bush which overhung the fence, and when in bloom was the admiration of passers-by.
Captain James M. Hustead and Isaac W. Semans purchased this property, tore away the old buildings and erected a two- story brick store room in 1886, and here conducted a general store for sixteen years, when they sold to John F. Hankins and Robert Hogsett who conducted the business for five years, when they sold to the Wright-Metzler company. This new firm remodeled the building; altering the front, lowering the floors and improving the rooms in many ways and continued the business.
James McCullock, a blacksmith and cutler by trade, pur- chased lots Nos. 27 and 28. The deed for the first is dated No- vember 1, 1783, and for the second, September 2, 1780. These two lots extended from lot No. 26 to Middle alley, now known as Beeson avenue. Mr. McCullock transferred lot No. 27 to George Ebert, who conducted a store here for many years. He was well and favorably known in the early history of the town, and died here September 16, 1827, aged 73 years, and his sons, Henry and John H. continued the business until after 1830. They also owned part of the land on which Church street was laid out. Henry Ebert entered his father's store while young and devoted himself closely to business. His first wife was Eliza Lamb, an estimable lady of Wheeling, who survived only two or three years after their marriage, and died August 20, 1829, in the 27th year of her age. His second wife was Elizabeth Phillips of this town, and in-1832 they moved to Tiffin, Ohio, where Mr. Ebert was ap- pointed associate judge by the legislature, and subsequently became clerk of court of common pleas, which office he held for a number of years. He died at his home in Tiffin, March 31, 1880, in the 80th year of his age, leaving a widow, but never had any children. George Ebert's widow moved to Tiffin with her son after she was 80 years of age and married again after removing to Ohio.
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