William Hunter Penman (May 18, 1858[1] – November 30, 1917[2]) was the first known permanent resident of East Chicago, Indiana, and later its first mayor.

[3] Penman soon became supervisor of the Pittsburgh works, a position he later also held at the company's subsequent locations in Lima, Ohio and Chicago, Illinois.

[5] Upon moving to East Chicago with his family, Penman built a two-story home at the corner of Tod and 148th Street, in what is today the city's Southside neighborhood.

[7] East Chicago held a special election of municipal officers on March 14, 1893, in order to become a city.

[9] In August 1895, Walsh swore out a warrant against Penman, accusing him of improperly using his office to secure a public contract for water mains.

[11] As mayor, Penman sought to establish the necessary infrastructure for urban development, including a municipal water supply and fire department.

[13] Before the factory was even built in Beaumont, Penman Tank already had $500,000 in contracts, including from the Southern Pacific Railroad.