Abram Brown, the wealthy land owner of the vicinity of Uniontown, was an old wagoner, a “sharpshooter,” and always lucky in avoiding losses while pushing over the mountains. While on the road as a wagoner he formed the acquaintance of the girl who subsequently became his wife. She was Hannah, now deceased, the eldest daughter of Abel Colley, who kept the old tavern a short distance west of Searights. His wife was a good woman, and her seemingly premature death was much lamented by a wide circle of friends.
William Long, an old wagoner, after quitting the road, went to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and died there; and Samuel Weaver, a well remembered old wagoner, died about seven years ago in New Cumberland, West Virginia.
John Galwix, Black Wesley, Wilse Clement and James Pelter used bells on their teams. Galwix was called a “crack” wagoner, “swell,” as it would be termed at this day.
Stephen Golden, an old wagoner, drove a team for John Gribble, who for many years kept the red tavern two miles east of Brownsville.
John Strong, one of the earliest regular wagoners, is still living in Cumberland, and has been Coroner at that place for many years.
John Kelso, a steady old regular, well remembered and well liked, died at Cumberland about two years ago.
Robert Nelson was run over by his wagon many years ago, and died from injuries inflicted by the accident.
Col. James Gardner was an old wagoner and an old soldier. He was a native of Winchester, Virginia, but spent the greater portion of his life in Uniontown.
John Phillips, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, an old wagoner, was noted for using the heaviest gears on the road. When in need of new ones he ordered them an inch wider than the widest in use. The gear pole boys at the old taverns groaned under the weight of Phillips’ gears.
William C. McKean, nine years a deputy Sheriff of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, was in early life a regular wagoner of the road. He was a native of German township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and died in the Sheriff’s house, at Uniontown, in 1859. He was noted for his energy and habit of pushing things. The prominent young attorney of Uniontown of the same name is a nephew of the old wagoner.