My Genealogy Hound

William W. Hall, one of the best citizens of Gurdon, Ark., was born in York District, S. C, July 11, 1848. His father, John R. Hall, also of York District, was a large planter and merchant in South Carolina before the war. After the war he came to Arkansas, where he engaged in farming, and he is now retired and residing in Monticello, Drew County, Ark., aged seventy-nine years. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Permelia Gillespie, of Roane, N. C, by whom he had three children. She died, and Mr. Hall then married Miss Ann Watson, by whom he had nine children, the subject of this sketch being the oldest. Mrs. Hall died in 1882 in Drew County, Ark., at the age of sixty years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hall were members of the old School Presbyterian Church, as were their ancestors for several generations. Mr. Hall has always been a Democrat. The family are of English and Scotch-Irish descent. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in South Carolina, and left his books and home to go into the army in 1864, joining the Fourth South Carolina Militia, and was at the evacuation of Charleston, and in the battles along the coast. At the close of the war he returned home and for a time attended the Ebenezer Academy. After leaving school he went to Charlotte, N. C, and was there for some time attending to business for his father. In 1869, together with his father, he came to Arkansas, visiting the greater portion of the southern part of the State with a view to locating. After a few months they selected Monticello, and here they made their home. For the next six years he was in the employ of C. L. Burks as book-keeper and salesman. He then came to Clark County and turned his attention to farming near Dobyville. In 1883 he and brother started a grocery and supply business at Gurdon, continuing this business until 1886. Since coming to Clark County Mr. Hall has been identified with every enterprise tending to the advancement of the interests of the county. He was county surveyor for two years, and has also done some work on the Camden branch of the Iron Mountain Railroad. March 10, 1881, he was married to Mrs. Mollie P. (Paisley) Scott, of this county, and to this union have been born two children, viz.: John Watson and W. Brown. In secret societies Mr. Hall is a member of the I. O.O. F., twice representing his lodge in the grand lodge of the State, and is a K. of H. In politics he sides with the Democratic party.