WILLIAM M. HALL

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 552-553

Hon. William M. Hall

(Farmer, Section 20, and Ex-Representative of Vernon County, Post-office, Walker)

    Among the public men who have contributed of their time and talents to the upbuilding and growth of Vernon county Hon. William Hall occupies a prominent position.  He came originally from Hampshire county, Va., where he was born November 14, 1823, of the union of Richard and Winifred (Urton) Hall, both Virginians by birth.  The former was born in Westmoreland county and the latter in Loudoun county, of that commonwealth.  Richard Hall's father lived in Westmoreland county near the noted Revolutionary officer, "Lighthorse" Harry Lee.  He (Richard) was a farmer during life or until his death in Hampshire county, Va., in 1854, at the age of 84; his wife lived to be 87 years old, dying in 1856.  William was the youngest of 13 children.  Reared on a farm, he received first a common school and later a high school training, this latter at Romney.  Then he read medicine with Dr. Snyder, of that place, for two years, but owing to the death of his father he was compelled to return home and take charge of the home farm.  After a time occupied in the settling of the estate--a period of two years--he embarked in mercantile pursuits at Peidmont, known now as the home of Senator Davis, but in two years, in partnership with G. W. Woodward, he operated a $40,000 steam tannery at New Creek, now Keyser.  After conducting a most successful business for two years, the war broke out and a business loss of $50,000 was sustained.  Mr. Hall was among the first to volunteer in the Confederate cause, and he served the first year of the war as quartermaster under Col. Monroe, in the commissary department.  He was at Gettysburg and other terrific battles, and after that engagement went to Texas and enlisted in a company from Cook county under Capt. Hill, to fight Comanche Indians.  The company was disbanded in June, 1865, and he then located in Arkansas, remaining there until 1867, when he came to his present location in this county.  In 1848 Miss Harriet Arnold became his wife.  She died December 13, 1872, leaving one child, Richard, who died in infancy.  September 13, 1874, Mr. Hall married Miss Mary B. Dodds, and to them three children have been born:  Robert E. Lee, died in infancy; William Eugene and Richard Lee, at home.  Mrs. Hall is a lady of intelligence, accomplishment and refinement, and is admired by all who know her.  Politically Mr. H. is a strong Democrat, and as such is highly esteemed.  He has filled several positions of honor and trust, and three times has represented Vernon county in the Legislature--1874-76, 1876-78, and 1882-84.  During two of these terms he was chairman of the committee on agriculture.  During recent years he has retired from the political arena.  His valuable farm of 160 acres is an excellent tract of land and is well conducted.  Mr. and Mrs. Hall are recognized as among the substantial citizens of Vernon county.

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