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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ARTICLE ON THOMAS HALL

Thomas Hall, a pioneer settler and prominent resident of California Township, is pleasantly located on section 9. Our subject came to this county in 1844, and his first purchase consisted of 163 acres of land on section 22, California Township, now the site of Ray Village, and followed farming until 1875. He now resides at Hall’s Corners, living a life of ease, retired from active life, while his land, which now numbers 317 acres, is operated by tenants.

The subject of this notice was born in Washington County, N.Y., Jan. 12, 1814, and is a son of George and Mary Ann (Mills) Hall, natives of Ireland and New York State respectively. George Hall was a son of John and Nancy (Robinson) Hall, and came to this country with the family about the time of the Revolutionary War, and settled in Washington County, where the parents lived until their demise. Their family consisted of six children who lived to mature years, viz: Robert, George, Thomas, Matthew, John and Martha.

George Hall, the father of our subject grew to manhood in New York, and there learned the trade of a tailor. He was married to Mary Mills, a native of New York State. In 1824 they removed to Livingston County, in the Empire State, and resided there until the death of the mother in 1838. Six years later Mr. Hall came to Michigan, and died in the fall of 1849. Their family consisted of ten children: Robert, Rebecca, Nancy, Margaret, Martha, John R., Thomas, Ellen, Mary A., and James. The only survivors at present are Thomas, James and Margaret.

Thomas Hall was ten years of age when his family removed to Livingston County, where he assisted in the labors of the farm, and resided at home until his marriage. This important event occurred on the 14th of October, 1841, the lady of his choice being Nancy, daughter of John and Jane Paul (for parental history see sketch of David Paul in another part of this book) Mrs. Hall is a native of the old Empire State, where she was born in Argyle Township, Washington County. Three years after their marriage they bade good-by to the home and scenes of their youth, and coming to Michigan, settled in this county, as already stated. The became the parents of five, tow of whom, Martha, Mrs. J.N. Averill, and Nancy Maria, Mrs. J.P. Albright, still survive. One daughter, Margaret Ann, died when twenty-four years of age. The mother of these children was called away by death in 1875, and Mr. Hall was united in marriage with his present wife June 17, 1880. Mrs. Hall, whose maiden name was Hannah Hulse, was born in Cayuga County, N.Y., Oct. 15, 1832, and is the daughter of John and Charity (Perkins) Hulse. The family came to Michigan in 1855, and settled in California Township, where the parents died. The family included six children: Betsy M.; Martha L., deceased; Hannah; Hiram, who died in the army; Delilah, also deceased, and John.