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Pennsylvania Trails History and Genealogy

Gorman, Joseph F.

JOSEPH F. GORMAN, real estate operator and one of Allentown's most enterprising and successful business men, a banker and financier, was born November 13, 1863, at Siegersville, Lehigh County, Pa. The little education he received was given him in the public schools and the Allentown High School, and at the age of fourteen he began working in a rolling mill at Allentown, following teh laborious life of an iron worker until he became of age. He then became the proprietor of a hotel and continued in this business for a period of eight years. Mr. Gorman in 1902 realized teh need of suburban building lots and after learning the business for a sorth time with the South Bethlehem Land Company, purchased several large plots of ground in Rittersville. These he sold with comparative ease. He purchased other tracts and farms in various sections of the State and during his most active career sold thousands of building lots. By his enterprise he has stimulated buildign operations in Allentown.

Politically, Mr. Gorman is a Democrat, and for a period of fifteen years, from 1894 to 1909, served in both branches of city council, having officiated as president of select council for one term. He is a member of the Clover Club, and is keenly interested in baseball and other outdoor sports. He is a prominent member of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Gorman is financially interested in several business enterprises and manufactories in the city.

On January 26, 1893, he married Sohia Harkins, daughter of John Harkins, of Allentown.