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Daniel W. Hall

Daniel W. Hall, who is engaged in farming on section 32, Union Township, was born in Center County, Pa. November 7, 1821. The family of his great-grandfather came over with that of William Penn. His great-grandfather, John Hall, was a blacksmith by trade and his shop was situated near the Brandywine battlefield. When that engagement took place he ventured out with his leather apron on to see the battle, but some British cavalry riding along about that time took him prisoner and with several companions sent him to Quebec, Canada, but after a short time he was released. The grandfather of our subject served his district in the State Legislature of Pennsylvania. John Hall, father of our subject, was one of seven children and his boyhood was passed in Center County, Pa., where he received a good common-school education and learned the blacksmith's trade under the direction of his father, in whose shop he became foreman. He followed the business until 1836, when he removed to a farm, on which he died at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. They left seven children - Joseph B., of Center County, Pa.; Daniel, of this sketch; Hannah Barnhart, now residing in Page County, Iowa; Sarah Cline, a resident of Bellefonte, Pa.; John N., of Howard, Pa.; William, who died in the Keystone State; and Mary J., who is living in Omaha, Neb. The father of this family held membership in the Presbyterian Church and was a faithful and consistent Christian. He was well informed on political affairs, supported the Whig and afterward the Democratic party, but never sought public office, devoting his time and attention mainly to his business interests.

The early life of our subject was unmarked by any event of special importance. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm in Pennsylvania, and received but limited educational advantages as his services were needed at home. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-seven years of age when he procured a farm for his own use, and from 1848 until 1864 devoted himself to its cultivation. He married Miss Lucinda E. Kline, a native of Union County, Pa., on the 13th of January, 1848, and in the Keystone State they resided until 1864, when, selling out, Mr. Hall started for Minnesota. The route, however, lay through Iowa, and being so well pleased with this country, he determined here to locate. Mr. Hall purchased a farm east of West Union, which he operated for two years, when he traded it for his present farm of two hundred acres, which since 1866 has been his home and furnished him subsistence. His efforts in life have met with a fair degree of success and this is indicated by his pleasant home.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been born the following children: George K., who is operating the homestead; John H., a cattle buyer of West Union; Amy, wife of Hardy Turner, of Center Township; Laura, wife of Nathan Shank, of West Union; Samuel T., of Cedar Rapids; Mary E., at home; Ruth, who is at the head of a large dressmaking establishment in Salt Lake City; Daniel, a fireman on the railroad, living in Savannah, Ill.; and William, also a railroad employee, residing in Savannah.

Mr. Hall has always been a friend to education and provided his children with liberal advantages in that direction. He is a worthy and valued citizen, a good business man and among his neighbors and friends is held in high regard. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of West Union, and are living faithful and consistent Christian lives.