Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Portrait and Biographical Album of Huron County, Michigan Pub. Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1884 [281-282] JAMES H. HALL, attorney and banker at Port Austin, was born March 7,1846, in Orange Co., N.Y., and is the eldest son of PHILETUS D. and MARY (WANNAMAKER) HALL. His father was born Feb. 22, 1824, in Orange County, was a blacksmith by trade, officiated some years as superintendent of the freight depot of the Erie Rail- road Company at Paterson, N.J., and died Dec. 11, 1864, in Adrian, Mich. His mother was a native of Orange Co., N.Y., and died June 30, 1877, in Florida, in that county. MR. HALL is of mixed Holland and English descent, his mother's progenitors being natives of Holland and those of his father from England. His paternal great-grandfather was a musician on the American side in the war of the Revolution. The father of MR. HALL removed his family to Paterson, N.J., soon after the birth of his son, and at the age of nine again removed to Lenawee Co., Mich., and engaged in farming, that his boys might be brought up on a farm. The subject of this sketch enjoyed the advantage of the best private public schools of Paterson, N.J., and enjoyed the benefits of the excellent school system of Michigan after coming to the State, working on the farm of his father when not at school. Soon after the death of his father his mother removed her family to Florida, N.Y., where he obtained a position in a large grocery store at Newburg on the Hudson, that he might live with his mother. In the fall he obtained a position as clerk in a country store with that well known merchant grown gray in the business, W. L. VAIL, of Florida, N.Y., with whom he remained until he sold out, and with his successors for several years; and while thus engaged devoted his leisure moments and evenings to study. In 1870, by the aid of friendly capital, he commenced business for himself in the shape of a first-class grocery and provision store, which was continued until the winter of 1872, when he had an opportunity to sell out to good advantage, did so and in 1872 came to Michigan and engaged in the study of law at Morenci, Lena- wee Co., Mich., being meanwhile engaged in insurance business. In the fall of 1872 he entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan, where he completed a full course of legal study, together with some other studies; and was graduated in March, 1874. He came to Port Austin in April of the same year and formed a partnership with GEORGE S. ENGLE, which relation existed about two years. He afterwards conducted the affairs of his office singly until March, 1881, when he formed a partnership with his brother, CHARLES L. HALL, and JOHN F. WELCH, triple branch offices being established at Bad Axe and Sand Beach, the latter under the personal supervision respectively of C. L. HALL and MR. WELCH. This arrangement contin- ued one year. MR. HALL instituted his banking business, Jan. 1, 1883, under the style of "The Port Austin Bank." Its relations are those common to similar establishments, and he also transacts business in real estate, and represents the North American Insurance Company, the Hartford & Phoenix, of Hartford, Conn., the New York Underwriters, Germania, Traders' of Chicago, Sun Fire of London, and the Michigan Fire & Marine of Detroit. He is also agent for all principal lines of foreign steamers. MR. HALL was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Huron County in 1874 and discharged the duties of the office two years. He has been also Circuit Court Commissioner. His marriage to JESSIE EMERY took place at Port Austin, Aug. 27, 1879. Three children have been born of this union, as follows: ERNEST G., May 23, 1880; HARRY LEROY, Jan. 24, 1882; CLARENCE JAY, Nov. 23, 1883. MRS. HALL was born Dec. 10, 1857, in Oxford, Lapeer Co., Mich., and is the daughter of ANDREW and LUCY A. (McCLELLAN) EMERY. Her father is a native of Vermont, has pursued the career of a farmer, and is now living in retirement at Casevine, Huron Co., Mich. Her mother was born in Michigan, and died March 16, 1864, in the 28th year of her life. The lithographic likeness of MR. HALL, on a preceding page, is given in this volume as that of a representative and prominent business man of Huron County. All who know him will recognize in his features an indication of his high character. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ===========================================================================