My Genealogy Hound

JAMES McMAHON was the fourth Postmaster of South Bethlehem, and was a faithful officer in that capacity for a period of eight years. He was appointed to that position in 1871 by President Grant, and was appointed for a second term by President Harrison. He resigned in the fall of 1893, and gave up the post March 21 of the following year. Under his administration of affairs the work pertaining to the office was systematized, and in the report made to the postal authorities in 1891 and 1892 the office stood No. 1 in the second class of the second division. Mr. McMahon was formerly a member of the South Bethlehem Gas and Water Company, which built the present water works, and owns several residence properties. He was the first Burgess of the place, serving for one year, from 1864 to 1865, and for a period of twelve years, though not in succession, served as a member of the City Council. In the improvement of streets, starting of schools, and in other material ways he has been identified with progressive movements, and has practically assisted in the prosperity of South Bethlehem.

The subject of this biography was born in County Limerick, Ireland, on Christmas Day, 1834. His father, John McMahon, whose birth also occurred in the Emerald Isle, owned and operated a good farm. His wife, a native of the same county, was in her girlhood Miss Mary O’Kieffe. James is the eldest of three children, and the only one of the family who has come to America. He was educated in his native land, and in 1849 set sail on the vessel “Constellation” from Liverpool, and at the end of twenty-two days landed in New York. As he had an acquaintance in Philadelphia he proceeded direct to that city, and there attended school for a few months. As he had received thorough instruction in agricultural duties on his father’s farm, we next find him an employe of an old Quaker in Haddonfield, N. J. For about a year and a-half it was part of his duty to bring produce from the farm to Philadelphia, where he sold it to regular customers. Next he became a railroad conductor, obtaining the position through acquaintances, the Barrys, who built the Northern Pennsylvania Railroad from Philadelphia to Bethlehem, now known as the Pittsburg & Reading.

In 1855 Mr. McMahon first set foot in Bethlehem, and then became an employe of the old Lehigh Zinc Company. With Mr. Wetherill he assisted in making experiments on spelter or metallic zinc for about a year. He was now a little over twenty-one years of age, and after being with Mr. Wharton, who was also in the zinc business, he was for four months at work in the oxide furnaces. For a year thereafter he had charge of the rooms where the oxide was collected, and was then made day foreman. In that capacity he served with Mr. Jenkins until 1863, when B. C. Webster, the President, became General Manager, and by him our subject was appointed Superintendent of the plant, continuing as such until May 1, 1881.

In 1881 Mr. McMahon removed to a farm which he had purchased in Iowa County, Iowa, a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. He did not remain there long, however, as he was solicited to build oxide works in Mineral Point, Wis., and accordingly did so in 1882. This corporation, the Mineral Point Zinc Company, is now a leading concern in the business, and our subject became Superintendent of the works, remaining there for six years. In 1888 he sold his Iowa farm and, returning to South Bethlehem, moved into his old home. April 4, 1889, he was again appointed Postmaster, taking charge of the office May 12. The salary was then only $1,600 a year, affairs were in a bad condition, and the office itself was not very well situated. All these things our subject undertook to change, and succeeded in doing so. It was removed to its present large quarters, one of the finest locations in the state; a free delivery system was introduced, and it was transferred from the third to the second class, the salary being increased to $2,400.

One of the first members of the Church of the Holy Infancy, our subject is active in its work and cherishes a very kindly feeling toward the Moravians and other Protestants of this region who were so liberal, both in thought and in a more practical way, when this church was constructed.

Since 1868 he has been a Republican, having voted for President Lincoln for his second term. He is one of the most aggressive Republicans in the county, and has been active in local committees.

For nine years he was a School Director, and served for a number of years as President of the board. The schools were in a dilapidated condition when he first became interested in the matter, but now the educational facilities of the place can rank with the best in the state. In 1875 he erected his pleasant home on the corner of Locust and Fourth Streets, and has also built several other houses in South Bethlehem.