James W. Hall

As printed in 1902

JAMES W. HALL.

The Emerald Isle has'sent many representatives to this-country who have become prominent in public and business life. They have an adaptability and prescience of business opportunities and. unfaltering enterprise which in a large majority of cases win success. Such was the history of James W. Hall, who for eighteen years followed contracting and building and in the line of his chosen pursuit gained a good income. He was, moreover, a man whose personal characteristics made him popular with all with whom he came in contact and at his death he left behind him a large circle of warm friends, as well as his immediate family, to mourn his loss.

Mr. Hall was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, on the 22d of May, 1835, and was fifteen years of age when he came to the new world, making the voyage with relatives who had formerly lived in America and had returned to Ireland on a visit. For a short time he remained in New York city and then came to Ohio, locating in Xenia, which was his place of residence for twelve years. He had attended school in his native land and also continued his studies after emigrating to America. He there acquired a good practical English education, and reading, experience and observation also added to his knowledge as the years passed by.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

, but on the 8th of November, 1864, he a to. Springfield, where he continued in. the same line with good success until 1880, when he began dealing in builders’ supplies on Main street and was engaged in that business up to the time. of his death. Many important contracts were awarded him and a number of fine buildings of the city stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He met with success in his undertakings and made judicious investments in real estate, becoming the owner of considerable property here. He was also one of the original stockholders of the Lagonda Bank. All that he possessed was acquired through his own efforts, for from the time he was fifteen years of age he was dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood, and his energies and labors brought to him richly merited success.

November 15, 1860, in Springfield, Mr. Hall was married by Rev. Chandler Robbins to Miss Jane A. Johnson, who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, February 10, 1839, a daughter of George and Sarah 1 (Taggart) Johnson. Hier parents were also natives of the Emerald Isle, the father born in County Tyrone, and the mother in County Mon-

Der aghan. The year 1849 witnessed their emigration to America, and after a voyage of eight weeks and two days, in which they encountered some severe storms, they landed at Quebec, Canada, where they remained for a short time. There were also two brothers of Mrs. Hall in the party: William, who now resides in Springfield; and Robert T., who makes his home in Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Johnson, on leaving the Dominion of Canada, made his way to Berea, Ohio, twelve miles west of Cleveland, and there remained until. 1850, when he came to Springfield: Here he spent his remaining days, passing away on the 25th of April, 1900,. at the very advanced age of eighty-nine years and nine months. His wife had previously passed away, having been called to the home beyond in May, 1891, when: eighty-five years of age. Both were Episcopalians in religious faith and were earnest Christian people. They were laid to rest in Ferncliff cemetery. The father was a contractor for work on streets and railroads of the city and county and aided in building several of the principal streets of Springfield.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall were born four children: Sarah A., born September 19, 1861, was married on the 15th: 0f November, 1883, to John Tyler Ricks, and they have one daughter, Sarah Elizabeth. William George, born December 24, 1864, married Charlotte Ohmer, of Dayton, Ohio, and now resides in Camden, this state. Oliver James, born January 17, 1868, is at home. Jane Florence, born March 29, 1876, is also at home. For thirty-six years the family residence has been at No. 151 South Limestone street.

Mr. Hall was a Free Mason and attained the Knights Templar degree in that order. At an early day he was identified with the

Odd Fellows society and afterward became a member of the Knights of Pythias frater-’ nity. His political support was given to the Democracy and he had firm faith in. its principles. For some years he served as a member of the city council, representing the old third ward with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Both he and his wife were reared in the Episcopalian faith and were members of-that church in early life, but they joined the Presbyterian church in Xenia and continued thereafter followers of that denomination. Mr. Hall was for ‘a long “period a trustee of the Second Presbyterian church, of Springfield. He died July 7, 1882, and was laid to rest in Ferncliff cemetery, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. William H. Webb and the Knights Templars. He was a charitable man, who aided many worthy and: benevolent institutions, both of a public and private character, and in manner he-was pleasant, genial and ever approachable.. Steadily pursuing his way, undeterred by the obstacles and difficulties which one always encounters in a business career, he has achieved prosperity. His life was many, his actions sincere, his manner unaffected and his example well worthy of emulation.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.