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1 CHAPTER XIX. The circulating medium among the early settlers of this country was necessarily that of other nations and consequently very limited. Much of the commerce was restricted to the exchange of domestic animals, labor and the products of labor. In Virginia, tobacco was a staple article of commerce for many years, and farther north and west hides and peltry were used as substitutes for currency. The currency of the country was state paper and foreign coin for many years. About the close of 1775, bills of credit, known as Continental money, to the amount representkg six mi!!ions of Spanish dollars, were issued to carry on the war for independence. These bills of credit began to depreciate rapidly and soon became utterly worthless. When the constitution became a law in 1789, there was no United States coin nor United States notes in circulation. Except the gold and silver of foreign nations there was no money that would pass all over the country. The Spanish coin became the popular currency, and the state notes were restricted somewhat to the locality of issue. Congress established the United States Bank in 1782, to supply the demand for a banking institution, but meeting with much opposition, the renewal of the charter was refused in In 1790 there were but four state banks in the whole country, viz.: New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Upon the closing of the United States Bank many state banks sprang into existence and flooded the country with bank notes of more or less value, and it became necessary for the merchants to subscribe for a weekly journal to keep them posted in the value of the notes then in circulation. Congress ordered a mint to be established in Philadelphia in 1792, and named the denomination of coins to be struck, and whoever brought gold, silver or copper to the mint could have it coined without cost. The rate of value on the metal was fixed that one pound of gold was equal to fifteen pounds of silver. The gold was coined in denominations of eagles, half eagles and quarter eagles, and the silver was coined into dollars, half dollars, quarters, dimes and half dimes, three cent pieces came later; the copper was coined into cents and half cent pieces.

2 History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. 443 Minting was too slow to meet the demands of the country and numerous state banks were chartered. The different states had different values on their money. While the English pound was valued at $4.44, the Pennsylvania pound was valued at $2.66, and many deeds for property in Uniontown mention the price as being in Pennsylvania money. The values of goods expressed in pounds, shillings and pence gradually gave way to that of dollars and cents. 66 What was known as company scrip" was issued by numerous companies engaged in business, and came into circulation and answered the same purpose as the store order of today. During the war of the rebellion gold and silver disappeared from circulation and a demand was made for fractional currency. Few of the present generation can realize the inconveniences experienced by the merchants before the government issued fractional currency, vulgarly called " shin plasters." The time was when a customer would step into a store and purchase a dime's worth of goods and throw down a bill; it was then up to the merchant to make the change, trust the customer or lose the sale. In this extremity the county treasurer, at this time John Tiernan, was prevailed upon to issue what was known as Fayette county scrip, which the merchants bought by the quantity and used as change. This scrip was redeemable in amounts of $5 or over, and was good for county taxes, and afforded some relief in this time of great stringency. The government then responded to the exigency of the times and issued fractional currency. This fractional currency was issued in the denominations of fifty cents, twenty-five cents, fifteen cents, ten cents, five cents and three cents. Since the advent of the national banking system and the resumption of specie payment, and the establishment of confidence in the present money system the commerce of the country has been unprecedented. The Union Bank of Pennsylvania was the first banking institution established in Uniontown. It commenced operations in a frame building which stood on the lot at present occupied by the Gilmore Hardware company. The articles of association were signed May 1, 1812, and

3 444 History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. business was commenced in October following. The promoters of the project were John Kennedy, Nathaniel Breading, J. W. Nicholson, Jesse Evans, Joseph Huston, Samuel Trevor, Thomas hleason, Hugh Thompson, Ellis Baily, Jacob Beeson, Jr., John Campbell, Reuben Baily, John Miller, David Ewing, George Ebert and others. The directors chosen were 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. John Kennedy was elected president and John Sims, cashier. The bank went into operation on a capital of $60,000, and declared a dividend of five per cent. on the first day of May following. An additional sale of stock was made of 4,000 shares at ten dollars per share, and on the first day of November following, a second dividend of five per cent., was declared. And on December 13th, the cashier wrote to the Acting Secretary of the United States Treasury that the whole of the capital stock of $100,000 was actually paid in; the directors having the authority to sell stock to the amount of $500,000. During the occupancy of the frame building above mentioned, 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 separated 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, ind in a letter written by Cashier Sims dated May 28, 1814, he states that the bank expected to move in a few days to its new banking house. Books were opened on Monday, May 2, 1814, for the subscription 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 Kuston, Robert Whitehill; the latter two were appointed solicitors for Greene county. At an election held December 13, 1814, the following directors were chosen : John Kennedy, Jesse Evans, Reuben Baily,

4 History of Uniontom, Pennsylvania. 445 Daniel Marchand, James Lindsey, Joseph Huston, John Campbell, 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. C A bank note of fractional currency issued by this bank reads as follows: "This Note for TEN CENTS will be received on deposit, or in payment of debts, at the UNION BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA. Union Town, Pa., September 4, 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. C r. Stock $124,793 Stock $233, Discount since last... 5,628 Silver and gold... '778 Notes in circulation... 91,257 Foreign notes... 1,311 Bank of Bedford Bank of Muskingum Contingent fund Real estate... 7,705 Bank of Brownsville. 038 Bank of United States 10,965 Bank of Pittsburgh Deposits... 9,949 $243,859 $243,859 Notice was sent out prior to the election for directors to be

5 446 History of Ultio~~town, Pn~nsylvania. held the 16th of November, 1818, requesting that all stockholders vote in person and not by proxy, and stating that the following stockholders had been agreed upon, viz.: James \V. Nicholson, Robert Long, Jesse Evans, Laurence Rider, John Lyon, Jacob Beeson, Samuel Trevor, Robert Skiles, John 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, John Miller, Jesse Evans, John Campbell, Daniel Marchand, John Lyon, James Lindsey, John Witherow, John Denny, John Dawson, John Strickler, James W. Nicholson and James C. Seaton; John Sims, cashier. Another note of issue of this bank reads: " No The Union Bank of Pennsylvania promises to pay John Stacy or bearer on demand FIVE DOLLARS. Uniontown, Jany. 15, 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, 1520, the bank declared a dividend of four per cent. At an election held November 20, 1820, the following directors 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.

6 History of Uniontown, Penmylva~zia. 441 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, He was a resident 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, Twenty or more of the stockholders, representing onetwentieth of the stock, requested a meeting of all the stockholders on February 2lst to take into view the affairs of the bank, and to adopt such measures as the interests of the institution may require, and such as the stockholders deem expedient 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, containing 200 and 100 acres respectively, belonging to the Union Bank of Pennsylvania, were exposed at sheriff's sale the second Monday of June, It was announced that an election of

7 448 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 1821; 34 cts. ; for 1826,.33y3 cts.; road tax for 1827, 33% cts. ; for 1826, 33y3 cts. ; total, $1.34; to be paid by the 2nd of June, THE FIRST NATIONAL THE OUTGROWTH OF THE JOHN T. HOGG BANK. Mr. John T. Hogg opened a private banking office in Uniontown in April, 1854, upon the completion of the Tremont Building. Between this date and the closing of the Union Bank of Pennsylvania the financial business of the town had been done prlnclpally.. ' LM UU~U +L bile n~-nn~~h~la AVLUAav&&&ur--- Bank of Brownsville, which was organized the same year as the Union Bank. Mr. Hogg established banks in Brownsville, Connellsville, Mou~lt Pleasant, Bedford and Somerset. His bank here occupied the small room in the Trernont Building facing on Morgantown street now occupied as a millinery store. Mr William Wilson was chosen as the cashier which position he held until in ~ u~ust, 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, 187'2, to $100, The corporators of this First National Bank were Robert Finley, Charles S. Seaton, Jasper M. Thompson, Eleazer Robinson, 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 directors under the new organization; Jasper M. Thompson,

8

9 Histmy of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. 449 Charles S. Seaton, Isaac Skiles, Jr., Eleazer Robinson, James T. Redburn and Robert Finley. Isaac Skiles, Jr., was elected president and James T. Redburn, cashier. Upon the resignation and removal of Mr. Skiles, Jasper M. Thompson was elected president 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 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 properties known as the Round Corner, residence of Charles S. Seaton, Mrs. John S. Roberts and of Daniel P. Gibson, a frontage 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 besides 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-

10 450 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. Thompson 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 workings 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, President 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 assistant cashier in The officials of the bank are: Joshiah V. Thompson, President ; 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, Stenographer ; Virginia Marshall, Stenographer ; James C. Whaley, Receiving teller ; I. W. Labarrer, Receiving teller ; 0. 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.

11 History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. 451 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 attributed to the observance of strict and conservative banking principles, yet the congenial personality of the officers and attaches has ever been a potent factor in the success of the institution. 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 continued 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 DOLLARSAVINGS BANK. This bank commenced business on January 1, 1870, with A. E. Willson, Esq., as president, and Armstrong Hadden as cashier. 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, 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,

12 452 History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. ls'is, 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 succeeded 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 COCNTY. 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 position 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, Mr. Breckenridge was succeeded by Joseph H. Kerr June 15, Col. Ewing Brownfield was the first president and held this honorable position until his death, February 19, 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-president 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.

13 History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. 453 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 Kovember 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 was organized March 9, 1896, with a capital of $100,000. The board of directors was composed of D. M. Hertzog, James R. Cray, J. C. Work, Albert Gaddis, 0. P. Markle, William McShan, William Binns, Joseph H. Long and G. S. Harah. The officers were D. 14. Hertzog, president; James R. Cray, vice-president; G. S. Harah, cashier; and opened its doors for business March 19, The bank commenced business in the Harah building on West Main street, in the same room in which the Dollars Savings Bank had been previously located, and here continued business 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 occupied as offices. Mr. Harah resigned his position as cashier of this bank and Isaac Jackson was elected to succeed him October 1, THE CITIZENS' TITLE AND TRUST COMPANY The Citizens' Title and Trust Company was chartered July 12, 1901, with a capital of $150,000, the following named gentlemen 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-president; Joseph H. Kerr, secretary and treasurer; William C. Black, assistant secretary and treasurer. The company purchased what was originally known as the OF ~NIOTTOWN, PA.

14 454 History of Uniontow~z, Pe~zmylvan ia. 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?,, 1901 : this company and the People's Bank of Fayette County occupying the same room. On January 1, 1911, the Citizens' Title and Trust Cornpany took over the People's Bank of Fayette County. This institution 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 oscers 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, January 2, 1900, the board of directors resolved to begin business on Monday, April 1, R. 33. 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. Plurner Austin,

15 History of Uniontown, Penlzsylva~zia. 455 and by Peter E. Sheppard as treasurer and trust officer, who assumed the duties of these offices October 1, 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 town, stands high among the financial institutions country. H. FUSARINI BANK. H. Fusarini was conducting a Banca Italiana as a institution in Dunbar in 1902, and on August 4, 1903, he of the of the private moved his offices into the 0. 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, The corporators were Isaac Beeson, John Huston, Henry W. Beeson, Arrnstrong 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, The first board of directors was composed of Joseph Heaton, Daniel Sturgeon, Isaac Beeson, Everhart 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. The first meeting of the directors was held August 16, 1858, and on the 1st day of September following, the bank commenced business in the room subsequently owned and occupied by Zadoc B. Springer as a hardware store,. and since owned by the Gilmore estate. Here the business was conducted for about one year, when it was removed to the opposite side of the street in the room now occupied by the bar-room of the Central hotel.

16 456 History of Union town, Pennsylvania. 4t a meeting of the directors held October 19, 1859, a committee was authorized to purchase the old building erected by the Union Bank of Pennsylvania, which required but little fitting up for a banking room. In the spring of 1860, the bank moved into its new quarters, where it continued to transact its business for eighteen years. In December, 1864, the bank was organized under the United States banking law and became the National Bank of Fapette County, with an authorized capital of $150,000. Mr. Patterson, the first president of the institution, resigned January 4, 1866, and moved to Pittsburgh, where he became the president of the h'ational Bank of Commerce and John Kennedy Ewing, Esq., succeeded to the presidency, which honorable and responsible position he filled with marked ability until at a meeting of the directors January 10, 1900, when he offered his resignation on account of age and infirmities, after a continued service of thirty-five years. Nathaniel Ewing succeeded his father, John K. Ewing, as president, and on August 20, 1868, William Wilson, on account of age and infirmities, resigned his position as cashier, after a continuous and satisfactory service of ten years, and Adam C. Nutt became his successor. Upon the extension if the Southwest Pennsylvania railroad through the town, the directors were authorized, on the 29th of December, 1877, to sell the building to the railroad company, and it was converted into a station. The bank then purchased a lot on the south side of East Main street from Henry Farwell and tore away the old frame building thereon and erected a fine brick building with banking rooms on the east side and store room on the west, with hallway in the center leading to flats and other rooms above. During the construction of this building the business of the bank was conducted in a room owned by Dr. Smith Fuller on the east side of Broadway. The bank moved into its new building about April 1, 1878, where it has continued to do an everincreasing banking business. Morgan H. Bowman was elected cashier April 12, 1852, and Benjamin B. Howell entered as teller in December, 1888, and became assistant cashier January 9, 1901.