Guide to the Hailman Family Papers 1850-1878
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Hailman Family Papers
- Creator
- Hailman Family
- Collection Number
- MSS 169
- Extent
- 0.25 linear feet (1 box)
- Date
- 1850-1878
- Abstract
- James Hailman (d. 1860) was a Pittsburgh industrialist who lived in East Liberty with his wife, Catherine A. Hailman, and their son, George W. Hailman. He was involved with the establishment of Duquesne Iron and Steel Works, an active member of the Masons, and the founder of the Philomathic Club in Pittsburgh. His son, George Hailman, attended Bethany College and served as secretarty of the Philomathic Club, which acted as a forum for its members to discuss political and ideological issues. The Hailman Family Papers collection contains journals of James and George Hailman, a minute book of the Philomathic Club, and a folder of advertisements and business cards.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
James Hailman (d. 1860) was a Pittsburgh industrialist who lived on Penn Avenue in East Liberty. He was married to Catherine A. Hailman, and together they had one son, George W. Hailman.
Hailman began his career in Pittsburgh as a wholesale grocer in 1837. He withdrew from the business in 1845, when most of his stock was consumed by the "Great Fire" that destroyed a third of the city. He soon after bought an interest in Coleman's Spring and Axle Factory and helped to establish Duquesne Iron and Steel Works. Hailman was also vice president of the Pittsburgh Dollar Savings bank, President of the Pittsburg Life, Fire and Marine Insurance Co., and a trustee of the Masonic Fund Society.
James Hailman was also a member of at least two organizations in Pittsburgh, the Masons and the Philomathic Club. Hailman joined the Masons in 1846 and remained an active member throughout his life. He was associated with the formation of a new lodge (St. John's lodge #219) and the construction of the Masonic Hall in Pittsburgh in 1851. He acted as the first presiding officer of the Scottish Rite in Pittsburgh, holding the office of Thrice Potent Grand Master from 1852 until 1857. He then founded the community Philomathic club, whose members met to discuss political and ideological issues. James' son, George Hailman, who attended Bethany College from 1849 to 1852, acted as Secretary of the Philomathic club from its establishment in 1857 to an undetermined time after his father's death in 1860.
Scope and Content Notes
The Hailman Family Papers collection contains journals of James and George Hailman, a minute book of the Philomathic Club, and a folder of advertisements and business cards. One of the journals (1850-1859) belonged to James Hailman, which he primarily used to record weather conditions and business matters. Also included in J. Hailman's journal are biographical entries entered by his son, George W. Hailman, on the occasions of his father's death, on July 3, 1860, and his mother's, on June 17, 1870. George Hailman's journal (c. 1849-1852) primarily concerns his experiences at Bethany College. The minute book of the Philomathic Club (1859-1862) records attendance and topics of discussion. The folder of miscellaneous items, 1853 to 1878, includes business cards, bills, advertisements, receipts, a railroad pass (New Castle-Franklin Railroad, 1878), a concert program, certificates of membership in the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society (1853) and the House of Refuge of Western Pennsylvania (1857), and a leaflet entitled The Evils of Long Credit (New York, 1857).
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift from George L. Hailman in 1939.
Archives accession # 1939.xxxx
Preferred Citation
Hailman Family Papers, 1850-1878, MSS 169 , Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by Nick Hartley on 04/03/2013.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Subjects
- Duquesne Iron and Steel Works.
- Masonry Society (U.S.)
- Hailman, James.
- Hailman, George W.
- East Libery (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Steel Industry and Trade--Pennsylvania--Duquesne.