Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
Albert J. Hall has figured conspicuously and honorably in connection with the public interests and substantial development of the City of Mason and Ingham county. No history of this locality would be complete without a record of his career. To say of him that he arose from comparative obscurity to rank among the successful men of this part of the state is a statement that seems trite to those familiar with his life. It is but just to say in a history that would descend to future generations that his business record is one that any man might be proud to possess. Beginning at the bottom round of the ladder he has steadily advanced step by step until he now occupies his present position of trust and confidence. Born in Mason on the 8th day of February, 1862, he is the son of Robert Hall, who was a native of Pennsylvania, as was his mother. They were married in that state and emigrated westward and settled in Ingham county in the year 1854. The father followed the occupation of carpenter and cabinet maker and was the first undertaker in the village of Mason. The father learned his trade in Georgia, where he resided for some years, but was obliged to leave the state on account of attempting to teach a colored boy to read, as it was considered a great crime at that time to advance the educational interests of the colored race, especially so by the southern people.
Robert Hall died when his son Albert was but eight months old. In response to his country's call he enlisted in Co. A., 9th Michigan Cavalry, in which he saw eight months of active service when he was stricken down and died at the Nashville hospital, and so it was that our subject found it necessary to depend upon his own resources at an early age of childhood.
Albert J. Hall is the youngest of a family of five children: The oldest, Benjamin Franklin, died in infancy; the second, Emma, deceased wife of H. H. Terwilliger, of Montague, Muskegon county, who died February 25, 1905; the third, C. H., born January 13, 1858, and died September 16, 1901. All the deceased are buried in the Maple Grove cemetery, excepting the father, he is buried in National cemetery at Nashville, Tennessee. The fourth, Louisa, born 1860, died November 25, 1874, and the fifth, our subject, whose early education was acquired at the common schools in Mason and also the Mason high school. When thirteen years of age he found employment in a grocery store, where he worked for eleven consecutive years. On the seventh day of June, 1887, he found employment in the Farmers' Bank, gaining a practical knowledge of general bookkeeping and general business. In 1895 he became its cashier and soon afterwards a stockholder and director in this institution.
On the 12th day of June, 1883, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Katherine E. Smith, who died in January 23, 1892, and is also buried in Maple Grove cemetery. Unto this union was born one child, Winifred, a graduate of Mason high school. On the 18th day of April, 1894, Mr. Hall was again married, to Mrs. Adah Rackham Cook. This union was blessed with one child, Horace A., now at home and a student in the Mason high school.
Mr. Hall is a Mason and belongs to the Blue Lodge, No. 70, of Mason; also of the Royal arcanum, Maccabees and of the Foresters. He affiliates with the Republican party and has taken an active interest in politics, and as an evidence of the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens has been honored with the office of City Treasurer for two terms. He has also been treasurer and chairman of the finance committee of the Baptist church for 15 years . Mr. Hall has taken a deep an active interest in church and sunday school work in his native city, having been an active member of the church for the last twenty-two years, and during that time has served eighteen years as superintendent of Sunday school. The strong traits of his character are such as have endeared him to all with whom he has come in contact. He is a soul of honor and integrity in business and private life and a man of broad humanitarian principles and gives generously for the public good. Faithful in friendship and devoted to his family he stands as a high type of our chivalrous American manhood.
Member of the School Board for past 12 years, and is now an incumbent of that office.
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Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
 Sondra Higbee
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