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Rock County, Wisconsin

Biographies

"George W. Hall"

GEORGE W. HALL, a general farmer and dairyman, residing on section 19, Union Township, is
a native of the Green Mountain State, having been born in Hardwick on the 13th day of June 1832. His parents were both natives of the town of Orford, Grafton County, N.H., and the paternal grandfather, John HALL, was also born in that State, rearing his children to farm life.
Our subject was the third in the family of seven children born to John and Sally L. (GRIMES)
HALL. Maria H. became the wife of S. W. FAIRBANKS, of Dane County, and died in 1858, and her husband ten years later; Caroline A., wedded Lodowick JONES, and both are now deceased; John A., who served as a soldier in the late war, died near St. Cloud, Minn., leaving a wife and one child; Harriet S., who died when about fourteen years of age; Mary E., who is the wife of Samuel D. TIBBY, a farmer of Dane County, Wis., and Rebecca S., who married W. W. FOYE, now a resident of Iowa, and died at Evansville in 1878.
The father of this family departed this life Oct. 22, 1838, and his wife was called to her final rest
Jan. 17, 1873, in the seventy-second year of her age. Both were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and took great interest in church work, doing all in their power to aid in the promotion of the cause of Christ.
When our subject was but six years of age, his father died, and two years later, he went to make
his home with an aunt, his mother's sister, with whom he remained until 1846. At that time he became an inmate of the home of his uncle, Isaac HALL, and while residing with that gentleman was educated in the common schools. He continued to reside in the family of Mr. HALL until attaining his majority, but in the meantime the death of his uncle having occurred, he went to work by the month, and going to Orford, N.H., there resided until January, 1856. Thinking that he might better his condition in the new and growing West, at that time he emigrated to Madison, Wis., and near that city secured work as a farm hand, continuing in that line until the fall of 1860, when he came to Evansville, and embarked in the grocery business. He continued in business until 1864, when disposing of his stock, Mr. HALL rented a farm, which he operated for a year. At the end of that time he purchased eighty acres of land on section 19, Union Township, and at once turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and the development of his farm. A little log cabin had been built on the land and into this he moved his family, making it his home for some time, when he erected a small frame house, which in 1885, was replaced by his present commodious residence. Mr. HALL has made the many fine improvements to be found upon his farm, which is now under a high state of cultivation, while the entire surroundings indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner.
On the 29th day of November, 1860, Mr. HALL and Miss Louisa REYNOLDS were united in
marriage. The lady is a native of the Empire State, born on the 25th day of November, 1832, and is the eldest daughter of John G. and Mandania S. (GROVER) REYNOLDS. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents of Mrs. HALL were natives of the Green Mountain State, and were numbered among the respected and esteemed families of the community where they resided. The grandfather was a mail-carrier during the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. REYNOLDS were both natives of New York, the former born in Bangor. His death occurred in Covington, N.Y., on the 2d day of February, 1846, and his wife departed this life in Fredonia, Dec. 15, 1855. They were devoted members of the Baptist Church, and trained their children in the teachings of the Bible. Sarah K., their second child, was born July 5, 1834, wedded R. BYAM, and died on the 3d day of July, 1869; Rebecca J., born Feb. 17, 1836, is the widow of Silas HARBISON, and resides at Garden Plains, Ill.; Hattie died in infancy; Mandania S., born May 7, 1843, is the wife of John GRANT, a resident of Garden Plains, Ill.; Mary A., the deceased wife of Hiram RICHARDSON, was born Dec. 15, 1840; Sybil E., born Dec. 25, 1844, wedded S. C. WATSON, of Denver, Col.; Martha R., born Nov. 4, 1846, died Sept. 4, 1850.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. HALL has been blessed with six children, five of whom are yet living -
Charles, the eldest, died in infancy; Arthur, who was born Sept. 19, 1863, is a carpenter by trade; Florence M., born Feb. 28, 1865; Mark A., May 23, 1867; George, May 11, 1869; and Agnes M., Sept. 8, 1871. They have received good educational advantages such as will fit them for the practical duties of this life, and if spared will become useful men and women. Mr. and Mrs. HALL are ranked among the honored citizens of Rock County and hold a high position in the social world. He is one of the self-made men of the community. Reared without the guiding counsel of a father, he started out in life with a cash capital of only $100, but by the energy that characterizes all his actions, and the assistance of his estimable wife, he has attained to a high degree of success, and has become one of the well-to-do farmers of Union Township. In his political sentiments he is a supporter of the Republican party, and favors the adoption of prohibition principles. His life has always been such as to win the confidence and respect of the best citizens of the community in which he resided, and his many friends throughout Rock County hold him in the highest regard.
 
Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 648-650.
 
Courtesy of Carol

This page last updated April 30, 2005
 
©2005 WIBiographies-Rock County
 
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