Biography - JOHN HALLAM
A farmer, earnest in the calling and quite successful in its prosecution, was born in Brassington, Derbyshire, England, October 2, 1835. His father, Thomas Hallam, was also a farmer, who, desiring to better his condition in life, came to the United States, in 1836, landing in Philadelphia, where he remained three months, thence to a brother's, who had preceded him in White county, and from thence to the English settlement, as that in Edwards county, was popularly termed. Here he became one of the most successful farmers on Boltinghouse prairie. At first he hired his services to the noted Geo. Flower, with whom he lived three years, engaged in tending sheep. His flock numbered about one thousand head. Of Flower, he rented land with privilege of purchasing at a stipulated price, and so economical and successful was he that at the expiration of two years from time of making such contract he was the owner of a fine tract of land, which is yet in the family's hands. He was married to Elizabeth Handley, by whom he had seven children, of whom two died in England; three crossed the sea with him, and two were added after arrival in this country. He died September 6, 1878. His son, John Hallam, obtained a fair common school education. He was united in wedlock to Bertha Rosevelt, daughter of James H. and Elizabeth Rosevelt, October 28, 1869. By her he had one child. She died October 28, 1874. He was married to his present wife, Sarah Vallette, daughter of William Vallette, April 12, 1877, by whom he has one child. In the fall of 1876, he visited England, and returned better satisfied than ever with his father's choice of a home. He is an ardent Republican politically, and an active devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church religiously.
Extracted 12 Aug 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 A Combined History of Edwards, Lawrence, and Wabash Counties, Illinois, page 224.
