Joseph B. Hall

As printed in 1901

JOSEPH B. HALL.

Among the leading railroad men of Clinton is numbered the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He is a native of Illinois, born in Whiteside county, February 10, 1856. His father, Nelson Hall, who was a native of Indiana, located in Whiteside county in the early '40s, and when the railroad was built through Gait, he opened the first general store at that place, conducting the same for some years. By trade, however, he was a miller. He was married in Gait to Miss Hannah Tnyke, a native of Pennsylvania, and to them were born four sons, two of whom died in childhood. Those living are: Frank, still a resident of Gait, Illinois; and Joseph B., our subject. The parents had both been previously married, and by the first union the father had two children: Electa, wife of Mr. Ferguson, a farmer, living near Lyndon, Illinois; and

Charles \Y., who has made his home in Clinton, Iowa, since 1878, and is now a baggage man on the road between that place and Boone. By her first marriage the mother of our subject had two sons: John and Nathaniel Vernon, but both are now deceased. She died in August, 1883, at the age of sixty-six years, and the father passed away at the age of seventy-nine. He was one of the honored pioneers and representative citizens of Gait, and a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, but never aspired to office.

During his boyhood and youth, Joseph B. Hall attended the public schools of Gait, until about eighteen years of age, and in 1876 he and his brother, Frank, came to Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, where their father owned land, which they operated together for two years. Our subject next went to Grant county. Minnesota, where he followed farming until 1880, and then came to Clinton, Iowa. Here he found employment as brakeman on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway until September 17, 1881, when he was promoted to conductor and given a run between Clinton and Belle Plaine, and since the division was changed, his run has been between Clinton and Boone. He is now conductor on the California Special going west, and on No. 26, an Omaha meat train, coming east. Since he began his railroad career he has never met with any injury. When he first went upon the road there were no air-brakes on the cars or engines, and he has seen many improvements made in railroading.

At Mason City, Iowa, in 1878, Mr. Hall married Miss Ella L. Van \Yie. who was born in Adams county. Wisconsin, October 6, 1857, and was educated at Mason City, Iowa. Unto them were born five children, but Fred C. was drowned August 17, 1892, at the age of ten years. Those living are: Edgar M., a brakeman on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, who is married, and has one daughter, Florence; Grace, wife of Samuel Wilson, who is employed in a button factory Mabel, now thirteen years of age; and Lillian, aged eleven years. The two younger are now attending school in Davenport.

Since 1886 Mr. Hall has been a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 139, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has also taken the Rebekah degrees of that order. He belongs to Division No. 33, Order of the Red Cross, in which he has held office at various times, and is quite prominent in fraternal circles.

As printed in The Biographical record of Clinton County, Iowa .. (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.