HON. H. W. HALL

FROM: The History of Gallatin, Saline, Hamilton, Franklin, and Williamson Counties, Illinois (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887).  P. 702-703

          Hon. H. W. Hall, farmer and trader, was born in 1825 in Hamilton County, one of seven children of John and Nancy (Sherley) Hall. The father, born in 1799 in Union County, Ky., came to Hamilton County about 1818, one of the earliest settlers and very large land owners. He died in Union County, ILL., in l882. The mother, born about 1808 in Barren County, Ky., died in Hamilton County, ILL., in 1872. Our subject left home in June, 1848, and enlisted in Company I Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was soon appointed sergeant and served in some of the most important battles of the Mexican war. He was honorably discharged in June, 1847, when he located on his present home-- then 160 acres—by a Mexican land warrant. He now has a fine home of 600scres six miles southwest of the county seat. In 1848 he married Julia A., the daughter of James A and Lydia McLean, born in 1881 in Franklin County, IL Their nine children are John C., Wilford P., Columbus M, Cassander, Margaret, Patrick, William, Andy & Lydia. In July, 1861, he enlisted and was commissioned and captain of Company A, Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; June 13, 1863, appointed major of his regiment; June 27, 1864, promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and was in command of the regiment his appointment as major until the war's close. He was actively engaged at Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jackson, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge and through the Atlanta campaign, before which latter city he was wounded by a ball through the arm. He was honorably discharged in July, 1865. He was appointed commissioner by the governor of the State for building the insane asylum at Anna, Ill. In 1874 he was elected to the State Legislature, serving one term. He is a Republican, and first voted for Lewis Cass. He and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.