My Genealogy Hound

JAMES M. HALLMAN, of Pottstown, is a member of an old Montgomery county family, which has resided therein for more than a century and a half.

James M. Hallman, a well known citizen of Pottstown, was born February 4, 1845. He is the son of Isaiah and Susanna (Hartel) Hallman. Isaiah (father) was a shoemaker by occupation and a life-long resident of Montgomery county.

Susanna Hallman died in 1852 at the age of thirty-two years. Her husband survived for many years, dying in December, 1899, at the age of eighty-four years. Both were buried at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran church, near Center Square, in Whitpain township. He was a Democrat in politics and was for many years road supervisor of the township and a prominent man in the district. They had four children, all living as follows: Henry H., who was for some time deputy county treasurer, and is now engaged in the office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, residing at 658 George street, Norristown; Anna; Sophia, married William Lynch, both sisters also residing in Norristown; James M., subject of this sketch.

The paternal grandparents were John and Margaret (Gouldy) Hallman, also residents of Montgomery county. He died young. She survived to the age of more than eighty years. Both were buried at St. John’s, Center Square. They had three children, Isaiah, Charles and Charlotte, who married Mr. Cassel.

Henry Hartel (maternal grandfather) was married twice and had the following children: Mary, Hannah, Jacob, Susanna and Sophia. He was a Democrat in politics. They were both members of the Presbyterian church and were buried at the Lower Providence cemetery. They resided in Norriton township, where he was a farmer.

James M. Hallman attended school until he was eighteen years of age and then learned the trade of shoemaking, which he followed for several years. He then went to Chicago and spent several months in the west. Returning to the east he located in Pottstown, where he engaged in the feed business and has followed that ever since. He married, April 27, 1876, Mary Magdalena, daughter of Thomas and Harriet (Mohr) Francis. Mrs. Hallman’s father was a carpenter and lived in Birdsboro, being a carpenter and contractor.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. James M. Hallman: Charles L., born April 23, 1877, in Pottstown. He is a clerk employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company at the Reading terminal, Philadelphia, having previously graduated from the Pottstown high school and the Pottstown Business College. Harry F., born September 10, 1879, unmarried, residing with his parents, and is engaged at the Warwick Iron Company’s furnace as a clerk.

The children of Thomas and Harriet Francis (Mrs. Hallman’s parents): Levi, Mary M. (Mrs. Hallman), Elias, John, George; Elizabeth, married twice, her present husband being William J. Agnew, residing in Philadelphia; Ella, married Mr. Shuler and residing in Pottstown.

Mrs. Hallman’s grandparents were John and Susanna (Murray) Francis, who resided in Chester county, where he was a dealer in charcoal. They were Episcopalians or Methodists in religious faith.

Mr. Hallman is a Democrat in politics but takes no active part in public affairs. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.