JAMES HALL
Page 681
JAMES HALL
Page 681
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JAMES HALL, an honored veteran of the late war, who for three years wore the blue and valiantly aided in the struggle to preserve the Union, is now successfully engaged in farming on section 35, Sherman Township, Mason County. He was born in Sangamon County, Ill., on the 10th of September, 1841, and is a son of James Hall, a native of Scotland, who when a young man came to the New World and cast his lot with the early settlers of Sangamon County. His brother Andrew had previously located there and for a short time lived in a cave. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Catherine Davenport, was born in Kentucky, and at an early day became a resident of DeWitt Count, Ill. After her marriage she lived in Sangamon County, eight miles northwest of Springfield, There Mr. Hall carried on farming. Their remaining days were spent in that locality and they were laid to rest in the cemetery near their home. Five children were born to them. Andrew, who was a soldier of the late war, and for nine months was held a prisoner by the Confederates, is now living in Dallas County, Mo.; James is the next younger; Hugh makes his home in Texas; Mrs. Elizabeth Davenport is living in Kansas; and Mary Davenport resides in De Witt County, Ill. No event of special importance occurred during the boyhood and youth of our subject, for he lived quietly upon the home farm until his enlistment in the Union army in August, 1862, as a private in Company B, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry. The regiment was organized at Camp Butler, and he was there taken sick, but in February, 1863, he joined his command at Jackson, Tenn., and participated in the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson. He also did scouting duty for a time and then went to Memphis, where he did parole duty during the winter. He took part in the battle of Guntown and was detailed as a permanent guard to the Provost Marshal. He participated in the battle of Tupelo, then returned to Little Rock, and followed General Price through Arkansas and Missouri to the Kansas border. At St. Louis he received his pay and supplies and participated in the battle of Nashville, where Hood was defeated. At Mobile, Ala., his regiment had charge of the pontoon bridges and in protecting the same did some sharp fighting. The took part in the siege of Spanish Fort, and afterward went to Montgomery, Ala. Our subject was discharge in the rear of Vicksburg in August, 1865, after three years of faithful and meritorious service. Mr. Hall at once returned to Sangamon County, and in February, 1866, came to Mason County, and located upon his present farm, which was partially improved. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Isabel Rocole, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of John C, Rocole, deceased, Mr. and Mrs. Hall have seven children: Charles R., Orlo A., Archie, John Emory, James A., Bettie Ann and William Ervin. In politics Mr. Hall is a Democrat, has served as Road Commissioner, and is now serving his second term or fifth year as Commissioner of the Central Special Drainage District. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hall has made farming his life work, and is now the owner of three hundred and ninety-five acres of valuable land, of which three hundred and fifty acres are under a high state of cultivation. The neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision and also tells of his enterprising and progressive spirit. |