Newman H. Freeman

Hon. Newman H. Freeman, merchant and postmaster at Haleyville, was born on a farm in Cleburne County, Alabama, Feb. 17, 1869. His parents, James R. and Maggie (Carroll) Freeman, were married in Georgia in 1850, and five years later came to Randolph (now Cleburne) County. The mother died in Cullman, Alabama, in 1889, aged fifty-five years. The father and one brother, Lemuel W., a farmer of Winston County, Alabama, are the only survivors of a family of ten children. Newman H. Freeman was educated in the public schools, and, after finishing the high school course, began his business career as a clerk in the Birmingham post office, under the Harrison administration. Here he was employed during the years 1890-91, after which he came to Haleyville, where he became the junior member of the mercantile firm of Freeman & Son. He continues in business under his own name, and is one of the leading general merchants of Winston County. A specialty of the firm is plantation supplies, and his trade extends over a radius of twenty-five to thirty miles in all directions. Although a busy man, he has found time to devote to public matters, and is one of the leading Republicans, not only of his town, but of the county and seventh congressional district. He was nominated for presidential elector in 1900, and notwithstanding the State returned Democratic electors, he received a decisive majority in his district. He was appointed postmaster for Haleyville by President McKinley, and was re-appointed April 15, 1901, for four years. For the last seven years he has served as alderman, much against his inclinations and at some sacrifice to his personal interests. In 1901 he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional convention, where he became the recognized leader of the Republicans, especially on the franchise law. In the convention he was on several important committees, among which was the committee on military affairs. In 1902 he declined a nomination for representative to the State legislature. Since then he has been prominently mentioned as a candidate for the probate judgeship of the county and for member of Congress from the seventh district. Mr. Freeman is one of the leading Odd Fellows in Haleyville, having filled all the offices in his lodge, and was a delegate to the grand lodge, which met in Mobile, April 7, 1904. He is also a member of the Woodmen of the World, and is clerk of the lodge. On Nov. 8, 1892, he married Bettie C. Kennedy, a daughter of Merrill and Nannie (Brown) Kennedy, of Dawson, Georgia, representatives of one of the oldest and most eminent families of that State. They now reside at Birmingham, Alabama. Mrs. Freeman is one of a family of seven children, six of whom live in Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and take an active interest in the work of their religious organization. They have three interesting children: Esther, Douglas, and Eva C.

Note: Newman H. Freeman died in Birmingham on 17 Feb 1926.

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