IowaJones/Biographies/A. H. Hall

A. H. Hall–J. A. Hamilton

A. H. Hall
Born 1839

A. H. HALL, merchant, Langworthy; dealer in general merchandise; has the only store in the place doing a general business. Mr. Hall is also the Postmaster, and has the post office in his store; has been in business where he now is about six years; owns the building in which he does business; also a house, which is his home, and a barn and five acres of land upon which they stand. He was born in Western Virginia in 1839; came to Jones Co. May 18, 1856, where he has since resided, except while in the army, and during a period of one year, when he was at the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Hall does a safe and prosperous business; his sales average about $10,000 a year; keeps a general assortment, and has a good trade. Mr. Hall gave the land upon which stands the creamery of the village, and some money beside, and has been and is now an enterprising citizen; was, in the year 1878, Township Collector; was in the war of the rebellion; enlisted May 12, 1861; discharged at the close of the war, in 1865; was a member of Co. B, 9th I.V.I.; enlisted first for three years, and, when his time expired, re-enlisted as a veteran in the same regiment and company; went out as a private when discharged was a Sergeant; was in the siege of Vicksburg, and, while there, narrowly escaped being killed; a rebel bullet struck him in the side, but hit a book which he had in his hip-pocket, and that so checked the force of the bullet as to do him no harm: the ball, however, passed through the book and slightly penetrated the skin. Mr. Hall kept the book and ball for a long time afterward. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Yazoo Bayou, Arkansas Post, Jackson, Miss., Tuscumbia, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Kenesaw Mountain, Dallas, Big Shanty, Marietta, Atlanta, Bentonville, Raleigh and Columbia. His wife's maiden name was Phalinda Hager, a native of New York; they were married in 1867; have had one child, who is now living—Alphonzo R. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the M.E. Church. Mr. Hall is a Republican.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 624.

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George B. Hall
Born August 10, 1849

For a number of years George B. Hall was one of the leading farmers of Clay township, but he has now given up agricultural pursuits and has retired to the village of Onslow, though he continues to practice, to some extent, his profession as a veterinary surgeon. He was born in New York state, August 10, 1849, and is a son of James L. and Amelia (Cronkheit) Hall, both natives of that state. In 1852 they came to Iowa, taking up a government claim in this county, which remained their home for the rest of their lives. During the progress of the Civil war Mr. Hall enlisted in Company K, Twenty- fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He survived the hardships of the battlefield and was accorded many years of active life after he returned to his farm, but his wife passed away while he was in the army. Four children were born to them: George B.; Charles A., who lives in Onslow; Eva, who is the wife of E. N. Walker, of Jackson county, Iowa; and Lyman C., also a resident of Jackson county.

George B. Hall received a fair education in the public schools of Clay township, and obtained a practical preparation for the problems of life at home through the cultivation of the farm, for being the oldest of the family, when his father left to enter the army he and his younger brothers did the work and assumed the responsibilities of operating the place. Their difficulties were increased with the death of their mother, after which Mr. Hall, who was fourteen years of age at the time, went to live with an uncle. After one year spent in his home, he went to work upon a farm and then two years later bought a team, which he took to the lumber region and used in the hauling of logs. He was only nineteen when he married and engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself. First he rented the old homestead and, then in 1882 bought eighty acres in Clay township, on which he lived for three or four years. That property he traded for eighty acres adjoining his father's place, which two years later he was able to buy. It consisted of one hundred and twenty acres, and remained Mr. Hall's home until 1889, when he sold it to purchase two hundred and seventy-two acres, which was the scene of his labors for about eighteen years. At the end of that period he felt justified in relinquishing the heavier of his cares and retiring to live in comparative ease in the village. He has, however, not wholly given up his practice as a veterinary surgeon, in which he had been very successful while he followed it in connection with his agricultural interests.

In the fall of 1868 Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Jennie J. Hodge, who was one of the seven children born to her parents, Simon and Jane (Dunham) Hodge, both deceased. They were natives of Pennsylvania, which was also the birthplace of Mrs. Hall, who was born in Mercer county in 1847. To Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been born four children: George E., of Onslow; Frank E., who lives in Nebraska; Albert E., of Onslow; and Elta A., who is the wife of William L. Brown, of this county. Albert E. Hall was born December 1, 1875, and after having received a common-school education and worked upon his father's farms for several years, in 1907 came to Onslow where he engaged in the livery business. On the 16th of September, 1908, he wedded Miss Jessie Johnston, who was born in this county in 1888 and is a daughter of Frank and Mary (Hanna) Johnston. Her mother was born in Jones county, while her father was a native of Jackson county. He followed farming for a number of years but has now retired to Onslow where he and his wife are living. Mrs. Albert Hall is one of a family of four children and has become the mother of one son, Herbert Dillon, who was born June 14, 1909. Albert Hall is a republican in his political views but has never sought public office. He is a member of Onslow Lodge, No. 2120, M.W.A., and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

George B. Hall has always given his support to the republican party, finding himself most nearly in sympathy with the principles enunciated in its platform, while he has been interested in public matters generally, he has never sought official preferment, although he has served as a member of the school board for a period of ten years. With his wife he belongs to the Presbyterian church in accordance with those teachings he tries to order his life. A man who with courage and fortitude endured the hardships of his early years and through industry and frugality has acquired a handsome competence, he is well entitled to the rest he enjoys and to the respect which those who know him generously give him.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 398.

Morris B. Hall
Born 1846

MORRIS B. HALL, dealer in live stock, Oxford Mills; was born at Antioch, Lake Co., Ill., in 1846; came to Iowa in 1876, and engaged in the present business. His wife, Maggie Battin, was born in Du Page Go., Ill., in 1854, and was married January 1, 1873; they have one child—Morris Howard. Politics, Republican; religion, Methodist.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 593.

Daniel Halligan
Born 1842

DANIEL HALLIGAN, farmer, Secs. 27 and 28; P.O. Amber; born in Trenton, N. J., in 1842; came with his parents to Jones Co in 1870; owns 175 acres. Wife's maiden name was Kathrine Durigan, a native of Jones Co., Iowa; she was born in 1852; they were married in 1872; have had four children, three are living, named Francis J., David Gordon and Mary. Mr. Halligan's mother died in 1873. Mr. H., wife and children are in the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Publishing Company, Chicago, 1879, p. 625. Mary Kay Kuhfittig

George W. Halsey
Born 1830

GEORGE W. HALSEY, farmer, Scotch Grove Twp., Sec. 36; P.O. Onslow; born in Oneida Co., N.Y., in 1830. He was married to Caroline Dickinson, of Oswego Co., N.Y. Came to Jones Co, from Oswego, N.Y., January, 1858, and settled in Wyoming Township; also lived in Madison Township about three years; he settled on his present farm in the fall of 1862; has eight children—Maggie A., Ella F., John W., Henry G., Mary C., Julia E., Bertha C. and Catherine. Mr. Halsey's farm contains 185 acres of land; is engaged in dairying and stock-raising.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, 1879, page 655, and submitted by Lori J. Mentzel

James A. Hamilton
Born June 29, 1858

In the half century and more that Clay township has been the place of residence of James A. Hamilton, many changes have taken place which have advanced its value manifold. These he has witnessed and in these he has participated, for the greater part of the one hundred and sixty acres he owns today were obtained by his father when he came first to Jones county to better his fortunes. Sloan Hamilton, the first of his branch of the family to settle in this county, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, September 7, 1832. In 1847 he came to America, locating first in Connecticut, where in 1853 he was married. That same year he started for Iowa, and after his arrival bought first a tract of timber land, which he cleared and prepared for cultivation. In 1875 he purchased eighty acres of prairie, to which two years later he added another tract of eighty acres. In 1886 he bought another farm of eighty acres, but afterward sold forty, so that he owned two hundred acres all told. Mr. Hamilton had begun life in this country almost penniless, but the gradual accretion of land just enumerated evidence with what success he pursued his vocation as a tiller of the soil, and indicate the prosperity which graced the declining years of his life. He knew well the value and necessity of hard work, but be also knew that industry without purpose and thrift accomplished little. He never left a task, however difficult, until he had accomplished his end; and he never permitted his labor, any more than his savings to be wasted through thoughtlessness. He died May 4, 1903. His wife, who was Miss Nancy Johnston, in her maidenhood, was also a native of County Antrim, where she was born May 25, 1829. She came to America in 1847 and became the mother of seven children, of whom two are deceased. The others are: Mrs. A. Dewitt, Mrs. John Young, Mrs. James Smith, James A. and Thomas W. Thomas W. resides in New Haven, N Connecticut, where for many years he has been connected with the Bethel Presbyterian church. Mrs. Hamilton passed away January 17, 1891.

James A. Hamilton, the subject of this sketch, was born in Clay township, June 29, 1858. He attended the district schools in the vicinity of his birthplace and he was early called upon to assist in the work of the home farm. Indeed, almost his whole life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and the greater part of it has been spent in the operation of the farm, or a part of it, on which he now lives. As his father advanced in years our subject shouldered the heavier cares, which had formerly devolved upon him and after his death fell heir to one hundred and sixty acres of his land holdings. Eighty acres of this con stitute the old homestead, while forty are in timber.

Mr. Hamilton has pursued general farming but he has also given considerable time and attention to the raising and feeding of hogs, cattle and horses, finding that both adjuncts of his business have rendered him large returns for the amount of labor he has spent upon them. In the cultivation of his fields he has spared neither industry nor study to reap the largest harvests possible; and in his stock industry he has employed means of housing and caring for his animals and of feeding them which have proved efficacious for the purpose for which they were designed. Progressive, energetic and a good manager, Mr. Hamilton well merits the position he holds in the agricultural community of Clay township. His success is representative of its best interests.

On the 7th of May, 1887, Mr. Hamilton was married to Miss Jennie Edwards, who was born October 17, 1866, and is a daughter of Green and Minerva Edwards, who lived in Jones county, during their lifetime. Her father was a soldier in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion, being corporal of Company E, Fifth Regiment of Veteran Volunteer Cavalry. He was honorably discharged from service in 1865 and died in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are the parents of seven children: Elsie, M., born June 19, 1886; Blanche, born May 8, 1889; Al, born August 17, 1892; Hazel H., born August 9, 1894; Max D., born November 14, 1899; Mildred, born June 11, 1902; and Teddy R., born February 17, 1905. The children are being educated in the public schools, and Blanche is a graduate of the Onslow high school and is now engaged in teaching.

Mr. Hamilton has consistently given his support to the candidates of the republican party ever since he has been old enough to vote. His adherence in matter of religion has been accorded to the Presbyterian church, and his life has been ordered in harmony with its teachings. While the extent of his farm proclaim the success with which he has pursued his chosen calling, this is perhaps indicated in an even greater degree by the fine quality of the buildings he has erected upon his place. These are modern in every respect, his home in particular attaining to the highest standard of convenience, for in addition to other suitable appointments it is provided with an excellent furnace, which heats it throughout.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 485.