HALL-Henry C. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

(pic included) Henry C. HALL was too well known in business circles in Paxton to need special introduction to the readers of this volume. His name was an important one in trade circles and was a synonym of all that is honorable, straightforward and reliable in business transactions. For many years he operated extensively in grain but later gave his attention to real estate investments and the sale of property. Mr. Hall was a native of Fountain County, Indiana born Oct 11, 1841. His father, James Down Hall was born in Ross County, Ohio April 1821 and died in Paxton in Jan 1903 when in the 82nd years of his age. With an older brother, William Hall, he went to Fountain County, Indiana where he remained for several years, subsequently removing to Warren County, that state where he opened up and improved a farm which he lived for 9 years. In 1852 he arrived in Ford County, Illinois. Two years previously he had drive 100 milk cows to Wisconsin where he sold them to the farmers in the dairy district this being before the era of railroad shipment. On the way he met George B. McClellan, then General McClellan, commander of the Union Forces who with a staff of assistants was surveying for the route of the Illinois Central Railroad. Through General McClellan he became enthused regarding the conditions of the country through which the railroad was to pass and decided to locate near the line. Accordingly, in 1852, he settled 12 miles east of Paxton at Henderson's Grove, Vermilion County but not being able to secure government land in that neighborhood he removed in the Spring of 1854 to claim 5 miles SE of Paxton where the great part of his life was passed, his time and energies being given to the cultivation of his farm, which became a valuable property. His early political allegiance was given to the whig party and on its dissolution he became a republican. He was elected the 2nd sheriff of Ford County, serving for two years beginning in 1860. During the first year of his service the old courthouse was built and in thefollowing year he had his office there, beign the first sheriff in that temple of justice. He married Eliza Whisman, a native of Wythe Co, Va who was reared by her grandparents inthat county. She died in Paxton age 79. In their family were 4 children: Henry C; William Franklin, who died 40 years ago; Melvina E, the deceased wife of Dr. Pickerd of Indinapaolis, Indiana nd Mrs. Rebecca Snyder, a widow, living at Paxton. Henry C. Hall was but 10 years when he came to Illinois, the family home being established in Vermilion County where for two years they lived prior to a removal to what became the old farm homestead near Paxton. For 56 years Henry C. Hall lived in or near this city. The experiences of pioneer life with all its attendant hardships, privations, duties and pleasures became familiar to him. His education was acquired in the common schools and when not occupied with his textbooks he aided in the labors of the farm. On attaining his majority, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, Mr. Hall came to paxton in march 1862 and entered the graint rade here, being successfully and extensevily connected therewith until 4 yeaers ago. He did not confine his attention, however to the grain trade alone but dealth also in livestock, lumber and coal, operating in all those lines during the greater part of the time. The sphere of his activity was also extended to include neighboring towns and cities as well as Paxton and at one time he had 12 different stations. He established business before he was of age and for about 3 years was alone, after which his father became his partner, unde rthe firm style of JD & HC Hall. That relation was terminated after 5 years and Henry C. Hall was then joined by his brother-in-law under the name of Hall & Snyder. They were together 6 years after which Mr. Hall admitted Timm Ross to a partnership and they operated above mentioned lines under the firm of Hall & Ross. Later Mr. Hall was alone. He became the largest operator in grain, lumber, livestock and coal of any man in the business. He bought and sold grain most extensively, though he shipped large quantities of livestock of all kinds and his annual sales brought him a very gratifying financial return. For 36 years he has occupied offices in the Clark block. After he had been in the office for a year he was married and built the present residence of his widow on W. Franklin Street which was afterward his home. Four years before his death he sold his grain business and withdrew from the trade for two years but later was engaged in real estate and loans. He admitted JM Marsh to a partnerhsip under the firm style of Hall & Marsh. In this connection he handled much property and negotiated many important realty transfers. He was a man of resourceful business ability, readily recognizing and utilizing opportunities and his efforst were so discerningly directed along well defined lines that he won a most gratifying measure of success. On 10 October 1872, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Mary Pierpont, who was born in 1849 in Morris, Connecticut and in 1858 came to Ford Co with her parnets, Leonard and Cynthia Pierpont who were also natives of Conn. Her father was the youngest brother of the Rev. John Pierpont a man of national reputation. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall were born five children: Mary T, now the wife of George L. Shaw of Chicago; Bertha M. and Edith P, at home; Clara W, who died in 1880 and Henry Pierpont who was born in June 1885 and died of tyhpoid fever February 1907. He was a young man 6' in height, of athletic build and a favorite with his many friends so that his death was deeply regretted in social circles as well as immediate family. In his political views Mr. Hall was always a stalwart republican after casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He served as Twp. trustee 40 years and declined to fill the office for a longer period. This simple statement is the highest proof that can be given of the position which he held in public regard and in theconfidence of those who knew him. For 12 years he was a member of the city council and was still serving on the board of alderman at time of his death. His fidelity to municipal progress found tangible evidence in his active work for many movements for the public good. He belonged to the Congregational church to the support of which he contributed liberally and his family were associated with him in this membership. He found appropriate place among those men of business and enterprise in thestate of Illinois whose force of character, whose fortitude amid discouragements whose sterling integrity, whose good sense in the management of complicated affairs and marked success inshaping large industries and bringing to completion great schemes of trade and profit, have contributed in eminent degree to the development of the resources of this noble commonwealth. His career wa snot helped by accident, or luck or wealth or family or powerful friends. He was in the broadest sense a self-made man, being both the architect and builder of his own fortunes.