Newspapers: HALLAM, John W. Candidate for State Senate. Washington Co., PA
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by Beverly Sellers - Niel 
File submitted Oct 22, 2005 

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John W. Hallam, Candidate for State Senate
John W. Hallam was born on February 24, 1859 in Washington and his ancestors run 
back into pre revolutionary times.
He is a son of the late Lewis Hallam, a pioneer blacksmith, of Washington, who 
during the "pike days" of the old National road operated teams between Baltimore 
and the Ohio River.  At the age of ten years he secured employment as a clothing 
store clerk.  His thrift and business talent soon told and at the age of only 15 
years he was sole proprietor of a grocery business.  Three years later he sold 
out and traveled south and west, spending a year from home.
To begin with Mr. Hallam inherited principles of honesty and thrift, and an 
inherent love for work.  Being deprived of means, he educated himself and 
through experience he gained the mastery of himself.  He had no patronizing 
friends, but through his intellect and character, he has made a success of life.
Losing the spirit of wanderlust he returned home from his travels better fitted 
for active business.  At the age of 21 years he began taking upon himself the 
responsibility of accepting contracts for various improvements in and about 
Washington.  A shrewd business man, he foresaw the future of Washington.  He 
organized in 1887 the contracting firm of R. T. Hallam & Sons.  His ability and 
straightforward business dealings brought success to this enterprise.  Mr. 
Hallam is a keen student of labor and industrial affairs.  He maintains that the 
laborer is worthy of his hire and his advocacy of a square deal has made for him 
a host of friends in labor circles.  His popularity gained through his 
associations in doing public work is only second to his commercial success.  He 
has made the golden rule his standard of conduct.  This is not a common index of 
character in these days of commercialism.  He directed his business 
intelligently, had faith in his own judgment but always maintained a modesty and 
sincerity, which gave him a reputation for honesty among classes.
The field of operations expanding, Mr. Hallam again foresaw the necessity of 
greater things and accordingly in 1903 the Hallam Construction Company was 
incorporated.  It succeeded the firm of R.T. Hallam & Sons.  Pioneers in 
construction work, this concern has grown until today it is one of the leading 
contracting concerns in Western Pennsylvania.  Its increasing business is due in 
a great measure to the untiring zeal and business judgment of Mr. Hallam who has 
been its efficient president since its inception.  
His executive and administrative abilities are well know.  As a business man he 
ranks high.
It was early in life that Mr. Hallam evinced a desire to launch into politics.
In 1881 at the age of 22 years he was elected a member of the Washington borough 
council from the Third ward.  He served two terms and was active in the 
interests of his constituency. He has served as a member of the local borough 
school board and was always regarded as a useful representative there. He was an 
advocate of progress.  He gave liberally of his time to the public good.  In 
1894 he was a delegate from Washington County to the Republican convention.  In 
1897 he was a member of the Pennsylvania State committee and advisor in the 
campaign waged in the State that year.
It was in 1896 that he showed his ability as a good fighter.  This year he made 
a memorable campaign and was overwhelmingly nominated and elected county 
treasurer in the face of many odds.  With four other candidates in the field he 
went direct to the people with his cause and won a signal victory having a 
popular vote of 3600.  He swept the Monongahela River valley losing but two 
districts.  The vote of this campaign attested to his great popularity at large 
in the county.  Always independent he scorns cliques and factions and for years 
he has waged the fight for the common people with success.  He is a typical, 
aggressive and progressive citizen and one who represents the new thought and 
conscience of the people in political things.  For more than 20 years he was 
chairman of the Republican vigilance committee in the Third ward and he has 
always been found fighting the battles of Republicanism.  He is of a family of 
Republicans that have striven to maintain the principles of Republicanism since 
the birth of the party in 1852.
Always a public-spirited citizen and philanthropically inclined. He has been 
active for good in the community and district at large.  As a director in the 
chamber of commerce he was of material assistance in securing from Washington 
many industries and improvements.  He takes a civic pride in matters material to 
the advancement of the county at large.  He is a director and vice president of 
the Union Trust Company of Washington.
This man who aspires to represent the people of the Forty-sixth senatorial 
district on our State lawmaking body is full of years and ripe in everyday 
common practical business qualifications which would make him an ideal 
legislator.  Schooled in statecraft from boyhood up, he would represent the 
people of Washington and Greene counties splendidly.  He is a strong man 
politically, morally and mentally.  He is earnest unpretentious and serious.  
There are firmly grounded principles in the man behind his everyday life which 
appeal to the voters.
Mr. Hallam is one of the representative Republicans of Western Pennsylvania and 
he is held in high respect in the councils of his party.  His candidacy will 
inspire those who hope for representative government.  He is one of the people 
and he carries his cause and appeal to them.  His strength is with the masses 
and to them he presents his candidacy.  A student of political economy, he will 
make a valuable lawmaker for the people.  His judgment in matters political is 
sought after and generally conceded.  His friends in both counties predict that 
he will be the next senator from this district.