History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 77

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1314

USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 77

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337

UNIONTOWN BOROUGH.

Uniontown of course gave the distinguished traveler a reception. The address of welcome was delivered by Dr. Hugh Campbell, and according to our infor- mant, brevity was not one of its merits. Famous dis- cussions on temperance and baptism also took place in the church. On the former question there was a division of opinion between the advocates of total abstinence and teetotal abstinence, and the wordy warfare was waged night after night with great vigor and intensity. One of the speakers is remembered as having declared, in the warmth of debate and as a presumptuous advertisement of his own acquirements and habits, that he knew more law than Blackstone, more medicine than Dr. Blank, and was more temper- ate than Christ himself. One of the principal par- ticipants in the discussion of baptism was the well- known Rev. Dr. Fairchild. The debates on this subject were not confined to the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, but were held alternately in all the churches in town. When the body of Col. Roberts was brought home from Mexico, where he was killed in battle, the funeral services were held in the Cum- berland Church."

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

In the fall of 1830 several members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church of Uniontown withdrew from it, and at a meeting held by them at the court-honse were organized into a class of the Methodist Protestant denomination by the Rev. Zachariah Hagan. The class was composed of the following-named members, viz. : John Phillips and Polly, his wife; Joseph Phil- lips, Rebecca Phillips, his wife, and Mary Ann Phillips, their daughter ; Mary Lewis (now Mrs. Mary Clem- mer), William Ebbert, Walter Ebbert, Howell Phil- lips, and his wife, Eliza Phillips.

In March, 1840, a lot was purchased of John Phil- lips, located on the corner of Bank Alley and Church Street, and on this the present brick edifice of the so- ciety was erected soon afterwards. The first preacher was Moses Scott. He was succeeded by James Rob- inson, William Marshall, Joseph Burns, and others, while the society was yet served by circuit preachers. The Rev. John Scott was appointed to the charge when it was first made a station. Among others who became pastors were George McElroy, George Brown, - - Ball, George Conaway, William Wallace, - Brinnell. The church is at present without a pastor. Its membership is one hundred and ten.

ST. PETER'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

St. Peter's Church edifice at Uniontown was built in 1842, and being furnished with temporary seats · and benches (the legs of which were made of spokes from old stage- wheels), was opened and consecrated in October of the same year by Bishop Onderdonk. Be- fore that time services were held periodically, first in the (old) court-house, and next in the Reformed 1 è Methodist Church, the walls of which the Episcopa-

lians plastered, and furnished in part with the afore- said temporary seats, the Rev. W. W. Arnett officia- ting for the Episcopalians, and continuing rector of the parish till December, 1844, when he resigned. Capt. John Sowers and Hon. R. P. Flenniken were at a vestry-meeting held March 21, 1842, appointed wardens of said St. Peter's Church, then building, and L. W. Stockton, Daniel Smith, Daniel Huston, Dr. A. H. Campbell, and William P. Wells were the other vestrymen. On Mr. Arnett's resignation Rev. S. W. Crampton accepted a call, but resigned in May, 1845, after which Mr. James McIlvaine (then a vestry- man) held services as lay reader once every Lord's Day till March, 1846, when Rev. Norris M. Jones took charge of the parish, and resigned in October, 1848, and in November of the same year Rev. Mr. Lawson was appointed to the parish by the bishop (Potter). Rev. Mr. Lawson resigned in 1849, and Rev. Dr. Rawson had charge of the parish till 1851, when Rev. Theodore S. Rumney succeeded him, and resigned the charge in the fall of 1855, when Rev. Hanson T. Wil- coxson took charge of the parish, but was compelled to resign on account of impaired health in November, 1856, and in July, 1857, Rev. Faber Byllesby (then a deacon) took charge of the parish, which he resigned in October, 1859, after which occasional services were held by Revs. John Seithead, Jubal Hodges, and others till April, 1862, when Rev. R. S. Smith took charge of the parish, of which he is still (March, 1881) the rector.

The present vestry are Messrs. Alfred Howell, Judge Wilson, James A. Searight, Dr. A. P. Bowie, John N. Dawson, George Morrison, William H. Play- ford, Charles E. Boyle, John Thorndell, and Thomas H. Fenn, of which number Mr. Alfred Howell and Thomas H. Fenn are the wardens.

There are eighty-seven communicants, eleven Sun- day-school teachers, and eighty Sunday-school schol- ars.

For a period of nearly thirty-five years from the erection of the edifice of St. Peter's Church, in Union- town, there hung in its tower an ancient bell, bearing the device of a crown and the date 1711, it having been cast in England in that year, during the reign of Queen Anne, and by her presented to Christ Church of Philadelphia. It was used by that church for almost fifty years, and in 1760 was transferred to St. Peter's Church of that city, where it remaincd more than eighty years, being displaced in 1842 by a chime of bells which had been presented to that church. At that time St. Peter's Church building in Uniontown was about being completed, and as the congregation had no bell, it was proposed by the sec- retary of this church, Daniel Smith (who had lived in Philadelphia, and was acquainted with the fact that St. Peter's of that city had a bell not in use) that this church should make application for the loan of it, to be returned when wanted. The suggestion was acted

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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

on, the application made, and favorably considered by liam Muman, 1855; S. H. Thompson, 1857 ; N. H. the Philadelphia church, and the bell given in charge of the Uniontown church, under the following agree- ment, viz .:

"November 28, 1842 .- We, the undersigned, com- posing the Wardens and Vestry of St. Peter's Church, Fayette County, Pa., hereby covenant, agree, and bind ourselves and members of said vestry hereafter to re- turn to the vestry of St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, at any time they may demand it a bell which we have asked of them the favor of borrowing until such time as they ask the return of it. [Signed] John Sowers, H. V. Roberts, M.D., Wardens; W. P. Wells, John Dawson, L. W. Stockton, Daniel Huston. Daniel Smith, Sec'y."

The bell was accordingly taken to Uniontown and used by St. Peter's Church for almost thirty-five years as above stated. In 1877 the owners requested its re- turn, and on Monday, May 21st of that year, it was taken down and shipped to Philadelphia.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH (ROMAN CATHOLIC).

About the year 1850 a Roman Catholic house of worship was erected on Morgantown Street, in Uniontown.' The first mention which is found of its congregation is in the communication of the Rev. Malachi Garvey in 1856, when he reported sixteen families and forty-two communicants at the Easter Communion in that year. On the 5th of September in the same year Bishop O'Connor, of this diocese, administered confirmation to fifteen persons.

In June, 1881, the Uniontown Mission and adja- cent districts were set off as the Uniontown District, with the Rev. C. T. McDermott as pastor. At the present time about sixty families are in connection with the church.

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

In the year 1822 a class of colored Methodists was formed at Uniontown, under charge of the Rev. George Bollar, a regular minister, sent out by the Annual Conference of the African M. E. Church. The members of that class were Mrs. Hannah Burgess, John Woods, Henrietta McGill, John Webster, Sarah Woods, Sarah Griffin, David Lewis, Betsey Priteli- ard, Hannah Webster, and Barney Griffin. Meetings were held in the house of Mary Harman for two years, when they moved to Joseph Allen's house, on the same street.

A lot was bought for 875, June 10, 1835, of Zadoc Springer, and on this lot a log building was erected as a place of worship. In 1855 the old building was demolished, and their present brick edifice was erected on the same site.

Turpin, 1859; William Ralph, 1861; Severn Grace, 1864; R. A. Johnson, 1866; C. R. Green, 1867 ; Daniel Cooper, 1868; J. W. Asbury, 1869; W. C. West, 1871; W. J. Phillips, 1872; S. T. Jones, 1874; W. S. Lowry, 1880, to the present time ..

The church has now 133 members.

ZION CHAPEL OF THE AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH.

A colored class of this denomination, composed of five persons, was organized by the Rev. Isaac Cole- man in the fall of 1848. The class was under a mis- sion charge, and for several years was supplied by the Rev. Isaac Coleman, J. B. Trusty, and T. S. Jones. It became a separate charge under Rev. Charles Clingman. His successors have been J. P. Harner, William Burley, Charles Wright, William Johnson, N. H. Williams, D. B. Matthews, William J. Mc- Dade, H. H. Blackstone, W. A. McClure, and J. W. Tirey, the present pastor. The church has at present fifty-five members.

In February, 1857, a lot was purchased of Joseph Benson, on the National Road, east of Redstone Creek, and an old building standing on it was fitted up as a house of worship during the following sum- mer. This was done while the church was under charge of the Rev. Charles Wright. On the 27th of April, 1869, additional land was purchased and added to the lot, and the present brick church edifice of the society was erected on it soon afterwards.

A branch of this church was organized at Georges Creek, and a church building was erected for its use on the Baxter farm. It is still under charge of the Zion Chapel.

BURIAL-GROUNDS.

In the old Methodist churchyard on Peter Street (the most ancient burial-place in Uniontown) the oldest slab which bears a legible inscription is that which stands "Sacred to the memory of Suky Young, who departed this life the 20th of Sept., A.D. 1790, aged 2 yrs., 1 mo., 17 days." It has been stated, how- ever, that a son of Jacob Murphy was buried here some years earlier. In this ground was buried John | Wood, who was for many years a justice of the peace, and who died Nov. 12, 1813. Among other inscrip- tions are found those of the following-named persons :

Rev. Thornton Fleming, an itinerant preacher in the M. E. Church for sixty-one years, died Nov. 20, 1846, aged 82 years.

Hannah, wife of the Rev. Mr. Black ford, died Oct. 16, 1845.

Daniel Limerick, for eighteen years in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died April 28, 1837.

Their preachers have been the following : Rev .- Boggs, 1825; Noah Cameron, 1826; Charles Gray, Rev. Alfred Sturgis, died Nov. 4, 1845. He had been for fourteen years an itinerant preacher of the Methodist Church. 1827; Paul Gwin, 1829; Samuel Clingman, 1832; Thomas Lawrence, 1835; A. R. Green, 1838 ; Charles Peters, 1841 ; S. H. Thompson, 1843; - Coleman ; The "Oak Hill Cemetery" is a burial-ground lying - Hargraves ; Fayette Davis; J. Bowman ; Wil- on the northeast side of Redstone Creek, and formed

339

UNIONTOWN BOROUGH.

of a graveyard fully ninety years old, with a later ad- dition. The original ground was set apart for the purpose of burials by Henry Beeson some time before 1793. An addition was afterwards made to it by Mr. Gallagher. Many of the old citizens of Uniontown were interred here, among whom were Henry Beeson, the donor of the ground and proprietor of the town ; Jacob Beeson, his brother, who died Dec. 16, 1818, in his seventy-seventh year; Jesse Beeson, son of Henry, who died June 8, 1842, aged 73 years and 11 months ; John Collins, died Nov. 3, 1813, aged 72 years ; Capt. Thomas Collins, his son, died Nov. 1, 1827, aged 51 years; Joseph Huston, died March 5, 1824, aged 61 years ; Dr. Adam Simonson, died Feb. 4, 1808, aged 49 years; Alexander McClean, the veteran surveyor, who took the leading part in the extension of Mason and Dixon's line and in the establishment of the dis- puted boundary between Pennsylvania and Virginia, who was born Nov. 20, 1746, and died Dec. 7, 1834.1 On his headstone is inscribed, " He was a soldier in the Revolution, a Representative from Westmore- land county in the Legislature of Pennsylvania at the time Fayette county was established, and was Regis- ter and Recorder of this county from its organization until his death. In his departure he exemplified the virtues of his life, for he lived a patriot and died a Christian."

OLD BAPTIST CHURCHYARD.

The ground on which the old Baptist Church and graveyard are located was purchased in the year 1804, but it had been used as a burial-place several years before that time, as is shown by some of its headstones. The earliest of these which has been found is that of Priscilla Gaddis, who died Feb. 17, 1796, aged 78 years. One, marking the grave of Anna Gaddis, tells that she died, aged 17 years, on the 29th of March, 1796. Another, of Sarah Gaddis, gives the date of death Jan. 7, 1802, age 50 years, and that of James Allen records his death on the 8th of April, 1808, at the age of 37 years. Among those interred here in the earlier years of the borough were Levi Springer, died March 26, 1823, aged 80 years ; Dennis Springer, died April 6, 1823, aged 75 years ; Morris Morris, died Feb. 1, 1825, aged 51 years ; John Gaddis, died April 12, 1827, aged 27 years; and Jonathan Downer, died June 8, 1833, aged 79 years.

The location of this old burial-ground is on Mor- gantown Street, in the southwest part of the borough.

UNION CEMETERY.

In the year 1866 a number of gentlemen, whose names are given below, associated themselves in the purchase of a tract of nearly seven acres of land lying south of the National road, and just touching at one point the northwest corner of the borough boundary, for the purpose of laying out a cemetery

upon it. The land was purchased of Daniel Sharp- nack, the deed bearing date November 5th in the year named. A stock company was organized and incor- porated Feb. 12, 1867, as the Union Cemetery Com- pany of Fayette County, with the following-named corporators : Smith Fuller, John K. Ewing, Eleazer Robinson, F. C. Robinson, William H. Bailey, Hugh L. Rankin, Alfred Howell, E. B. Wood, Daniel Sharpnack, R. M. Modisett, Eli Cope, John H. Mc- Clelland, Andrew Stewart, L. D. Beall, Daniel Kaine. The company caused its grounds to be laid out in burial lots, with walks and carriage-ways on the modern plan, and handsomely embellished with trees and shrubbery.

This cemetery is now the principal burial-ground of Uniontown. Many tasteful and elegant memorial stones are found within its inclosure, and near its northwestern corner there has been erected an im- posing and appropriate Soldiers' Monument.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

The first banking institution established in Union- town was named " The Union Bank of Pennsylvania," which commenced operations (though then unchar- tered) in the autumn of 1812. The promoters of the project were a number of gentlemen, whose names are embraced in the following list, it being that of the first directors of the bank, viz .: John Kennedy, Nathaniel Breading, J. W. Nicholson, Jesse Evans, Joseph Huston, Samuel Trevor, Thomas Meason, Hugh Thompson, Ellis Bailey, Jacob Beason, Jr., John Campbell, Reuben Bailey, John Miller, David Ewing, George Ebbert.

The articles of association were signed May 1, 1812, and the bank (or rather the unchartered association which so designated itself) commenced business in October of that year, in an old frame building which stood on the site of Mr. Z. B. Springer's present store. By the tenor of the following letter (copied from the old letter-book of the bank), it will be seen that the amount paid in was less than one-eighth of the nom- inal capital :

" UNION BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA, 7th Dec., 1813.

"SIR,-The Directors of this institution have unanimously agreed to accept the Coroposition mentioned in the Act of Con- gress ' laying duties on notes of Banks, bankers, and certain Companies, on Notes, Bonds, and Obligations discounted by banks, bankers, and certain companies, and on bills of exchange of certain descriptions, passed Ang. 2nd, 1813, and I have been directed to write you on the Subject. As we have re 'd no let- ter from you we are at a loss to know precisely the information' that may be required.

"This Bank went into operation in October, 1812, on a Capi- tal of only $60,000, and declared a dividend on the first day of May last of five per cent. An additional sale of Stock was then made of 4000 shares of $10 each, and on the first of November last a Second Dividend was declared of five per cent. At pres- ent our capital is 8100,000 actually paid in. According to the Articles of association the directors may sell stock nutil the Capital shall be 8500,000, but it is not contemplated by them at

1 The stone gives Jun. 7, 1834, as the date of his death, but this is a mistake. The correct date of his death is December 7th of that year, as above stated.

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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

this time to make any addition to the present amount. Should they do so, you shall be regularly advised. Any further infor- mation you may wish, I will with pleasure communicate, and am,

"With much respect, "Your Oht Servant, " JOHN SIMS, C'ashier. " HON. WM. JONES, " Acting Sec'y of the Treasury, U. S."

The institution became a chartered bank in 1814, under a legislative act of incorporation approved March 21st in that year. On the 28th of May, 1814, Cashier Sims wrote to a correspondent : " . . We expect in a few days to move into a new banking- house now finishing for our occupation." This is found in the old letter-book of the bank. The new building referred to in the letter is the depot of the Southwest Railroad Company. It was afterwards purchased by the Bank of Fayette County.

It has been often stated, and seems to be the gen- eral belief, that the Union Bank of Pennsylvania failed and went ont of business in 1817. That this supposition is erroneous is shown by the matter of the following extracts from the Genius of Liberty of Uniontown :

" Notice :

" A meeting of the stockholders of the Union Bank of Pennsylvania is requested at the borough of Union- town on the 5th day of October next, at 10 o'clock A.M., in order that they may be made acquainted with the real state and responsibility of the institution. " By order of the Board of Directors, "JOHN SIMS, Cashier. " Aug. 27, 1818."

"Ten Shares of Stock of the Union Bank of Penn- sylvania for sale. Apply to the Printer.

" Ang. 29, 1818."

"UNION BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA, "May 3, 1819.

"The Directors have this day declared a Dividend of three per cent. on the capital stock for the last six months, payable to the Stockholders or their legal representatives at any time after the 13th inst.

"JOHN SIMS, Cashier."

" UNION BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA, "Oct. 4, 1821.

" Notice is hereby given to the Stockholders of the Union Bank of Pennsylvania to meet on the first Monday of November next, at the banking-house in the borough of Uniontown, at which time and place a statement of the affairs of said bank will be laid be- fore them, in conformity to the 10th article in the act of incorporation, passed 21st March, 1814.

" BENJAMIN BARTON, Cashier."

The exact date of the final closing of the bank has not been ascertained, but it is certain that it was not long after the date of the above notice.

NATIONAL BANK OF FAYETTE COUNTY.

By an act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, ap- proved Dec. 5, 1857, the Bank of Fayette County was incorporated. The corporators were Isaac Beeson, John Huston, Henry W. Beeson, Armstrong Hadden, Joshua B. Howell, Ewing Brownfield, Joseph John- ston, John K. Ewing, Alfred Patterson, William Bryson, Asbury Struble, Everard Bierer, Sr., 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 composed of John Huston, Daniel Sturgeon, Isaac Beeson, Everard Bierer, John Murphy, James Robinson, Robert Fin- ley, Isaac Skiles, Jr., Henry W. Gaddis, J. Allen Downer, Joshna B. Howell, Alfred Patterson, Daniel R. Davidson. President, Alfred Patterson ; Cashier, W. Wilson.

The first meeting of the directors was held Ang. 16, 1858, and the bank commenced business on the first day of September following. For about a year after opening, the business of the bank was done in the building now occupied by Z. B. Springer as a hardware-store. On the 19th of October, 1859, the directors authorized a committee to purchase the old Union Bank building on Main Street, at $1500. It was purchased of William Crawford for $1410. While this building was in process of repair the business of the bank was done in an office where Manaway's saloon now is. In the spring of 1860 the bank occu- pied the Union Bank building, and its business con- tinued to be done there for eighteen years. On the 29th of December, 1877, the directors were authorized to sell the building, and it was accordingly sold, and became the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad station as at present. After the sale, and while the bank's new building was being erected and made ready for occupancy, the business of the institution was done in a building on Broadway now owned by Dr. Smith Fuller. About the 1st of April, 1878, the bank re- moved to its present rooms in the fine brick building on the south side of Main Street east of Broadway.

In January, 1865, the bank was reorganized under the National Banking law, and became the National Bank of Fayette County, the first election of directors under the change being held on the 30th of that month. Authorized capital, $150,000.

Mr. Patterson, the first president of the institution, resigned Jan. 4, 1865, and was succeeded by John K. Ewing. Mr. Wilson, the cashier, resigned Aug. 20, 1868, and A. C. Nutt became his successor. The present (1881) officers of the bank are the following :

Directors, John K. Ewing, E. B. Dawson, John M. Hadden, James T. Gorley, John H. McClelland, James B. Wiggins, Henry W. Gaddis, Smith Fuller, Daniel Downer, Alfred Howell; John K. Ewing, president; A. C. Nutt, cashier.

341

UNIONTOWN BOROUGH.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF UNIONTOWN.

In April, 1854, a private banking-office was opened in Uniontown by Mr. John T. Hogg. Prior to that time, and after the closing of the old Union Bank of Pennsylvania, the financial business of the borough had been done principally with the Bank of Browns- ville. Mr. Hogg's bank at Uniontown (he had also banks at Brownsville, Connellsville, Mount Pleasant, Bedford, Somerset, and other places) was opened at the place where Mrs. Smith's millinery-store now is, in the Tremont building. W. Wilson was its first cashier. In August, 1858, he resigned to accept the cashiership of the Bank of Fayette County, and James T. Redburn succeeded him in Mr. Hogg's bank. Soon afterwards the bank passed into posses- sion of Isaac Skiles, Jr., by whom it was continued as a private institution until 1864, when, in confor- mity with the provisions of the National Banking law, it became the First National Bank of Union- town, with a paid up capital of $60,000, increased Jan. I, 1872, to $100,000.

The corporators of the National Bank were Robert Finley, C. S. Seaton, Jasper M. Thompson, Eleazer Robinson, William Hurford, Isaac Skiles, Jr., James T. Redburn, Hiram H. Hackney, and John Wilson ; articles of association dated Jan. 2, 1864. The bank commenced business May 3, 1864, in the banking rooms which it still occupies on Main Street, west of Morgantown Street. The first board of directors was composed of Messrs. Skiles, Robinson, Seaton, Thomp- son, Redburn, and Finley. President, Isaac Skiles, Jr .; Cashier, James T. Redhurn. In January, 1870, Jasper M. Thompson was elected president, and in the following May Josiah V. Thompson was elected cashier on the death of Mr. Redburn.

The present officers of the bank are :

Directors, Jasper M. Thompson, president ; George W. Litman, Hiram H. Hackney, William Hopwood, Charles E. Boyle, Joseph M. Campbell, Charles S. Seaton, William H. Playford, John Wilson; cashier, J. V. Thompson.

A new and commodious banking-house is to be erected during the present summer (1882) for the use of this bank, the property known as the "Round Corner," on Main Street, having been purchased for that purpose.

THE PEOPLE'S BANK OF FAYETTE COUNTY.

This bank was chartered March 21, 1873, the fol- lowing-named gentlemen being the corporators: S. A. Gilmore, Alfred Howell, C. E. Boyle, William McCleary, Eli Cope, J. D. Roddy, Ewing Brownfield, E. M. Ferguson, J. H. McClelland, J. A. Searight. The board of directors was composed as follows : Ewing Brownfield (president), Alfred Howell, James Robinson, James A. Searight (cashier), John D. Roddy, James Beatty.

The bank commenced business July 14, 1873. On the 12th of August in that year the cashier, Mr. Sea-

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History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 77

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 1314

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1314