James L. Hall
July 26, 1837 - May 31, 1918

Emeline & James

wedding day


Enlisted October 1, 1861 - resident of Bluffview, Wisconsin
Mustered in November 19, 1861
Mustered out November 21, 1964

James, born in 1837, served with Company F 52nd, Illinois Infantry from 1861 to 1864 with the Union Army. He raised a family in Manning, living at 304 Ann Street.

Wife - Emeline (Williams) Hall May 29, 1845 - November 13, 1933
Son - infant Hall ---- - 1877
One other son
Daughters: Harriet , Ida, Azubah

McPherson Post 33 - joined March 17, 1881
2nd term 1894 - suspended 1897
James R. Slack Post 134, Irwin, Iowa - joined September 1884 - suspended 1893


OBITUARY for James L. Hall

Mr. James L. Hall was born July 26, 1837, near Pittsfield, Massachusetts. When he was three years old, his parents moved to Walworth County, Wisconsin, where most of his boyhood was spent.

When but ten years of age, he lost his mother, and when fourteen, his father died also. After this the boy was thrown out on the world to struggle for himself. At this tender age he of necessity encountered many difficulties and endured much adversity, but triumphed over all. At the age of seventeen, he went to Thornton, Illinois. Being an industrious young man he readily found employment on a farm. Here he remained until the age of twenty-four, when he enlisted in the army. He belonged to Company F. Fifty Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in 1861.

As a soldier he made a noble record and was engaged in the battle of Vicksburg, Shilo, Ft. Donelson, Siege of Corinth, Bay's Ferry, Resaca, Iuka, Snake Creek Gap, Altoona, and Atlanta, beside being with Sherman on his famous march to the sea.

He endured many hardships incident to military life and was honorably discharged, November 18, 1864. Upon his return from the army, he again settled at Thornton, where he engaged in business for himself. On August 16, 1868, he was married to Miss Emeline Williams of that city.

To this union were born five children, three daughters and two sons. One son died at the age of four and a half years, and the other in infancy.

In the year 1875, the deceased moved his family to Shelby County, Iowa, settling near Irwin. Here they lived some fifteen years, enduring the privation and hardships incident to pioneer days. By means of thrift and good management he struggled to a good degree of affluence. He was a man who was always in the forefront of every noble project for the uplift of the community whether material, educational or religious.

But he had given his best strength to the flag of his country, and was handicapped by ailments contracted in army service. It was therefore necessary for him to abandon farming at a comparatively early age. He came to Manning in 1890 where he spent the rest of his days. He was a man whose life was above reproach, and whoever sought the best, things for his family in the way of education, and comfort. He was a model husband, father and citizen, and universally esteemed by all who knew him. Long since he took the Bible as the rule and guide of his faith and practice, and throughout his soldier career, always pillowed his head by night upon a copy of the Scripture which he carried.

For three years his health was on a rapid decline. At the end drew near he became eager for the summons of the death angel to usher him to his final rest. He appeared fully ready for the end. He died May 31, 1918, aged 80 years, 10 months, and 5 days. A wife and three daughters remain to mourn his demise, all of whom were present in his last hours and weeks lending, their kindly ministrations to make their loved one comfortable. The daughters are Mrs. Harriet Martin, Billings, Montana; Mrs. Azubah Pollock, Omaha, Nebraska; and Mrs. Ida Kemp, Sioux City, Iowa.

It is fitting that mention be made of the long and happy marriage of this aged couple. Had the husband lived a couple of months longer, they might have celebrated their golden wedding. It would be hard to find a richer affection and greater devotion than that which was exhibited by this aged pair.

The funeral services were conducted from the home Sunday afternoon. Rev. Aller, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, conducted the services. There was a very large attendance of friends and neighbors.

At the grave the services were under the charge of the local Masonic Lodge, the deceased being a faithful member and worker of that organization. Over a hundred of the members of the lodge were present and the work of the lodge was very impressive.

Thus another of our valiant soldier boys has departed from this earth. His life work is ended, but his memory will always he cherished for the noble work he performed. He has well earned a place among men, and future ages shall pay him honor.


James, Emeline and child are buried in the Manning Cemetery.
Section C Row #28 south - north.


Comrade James L. Hall, Manning, Iowa, reports as follows: "The box of books, arrived in good order, and I desire to express my appreciation of the beautiful prize which I won in your recent contest. It was my first guess. I was born in Massachusetts, 1837. Enlisted September 1861, Company F 52d Illinois.
We were a jolly lot of young fellows, filled with patriotism and a burning desire to lick the Rebs, which we found was not quite so easy as we had anticipated. My first experience of real war was at Fort Donelson. The next two days of fighting at Shiloh, where our regiment lost about 200 men killed and taken prisoners. Participated in the siege of Corinth and was with Sherman on his famous Atlanta Campaign, and marched with him to the sea. Came to Iowa in 1875, and engaged in farming and stock raising.
Have been a reader of the National Tribune for years, and wish it the success it deserves."


JAMES L. HALL is a native of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, born July 26, 1837. He is the son of Alvin and Philantha (Yales) Hall, both natives of Massachusetts, who afterward moved to Wisconsin where they died rather early in life. When James L. was three years old his parents went to Walworth County, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood. He was reared to farm life, and received a limited education in the common schools; although his opportunities have been few he has made the most of them, and has qualified himself to transact any business that may fall to him. At the age of fourteen he was thrown upon his own resources, and since that time he has made his own way in life. Mr. Hall was united in marriage August 16, 1868, to Miss Emeline Williams, daughter of Spofford C. and Mary (Hastings) Williams, natives of Vermont; she was born in Rutland County, May 29, 1845. They have three children - Hattie, Azubah and Ida. In June 1875, Mr. Hall came to Shelby County, Iowa, and settled on an eighty-acre tract of wild prairie in Jefferson Township. Here he has established a comfortable home, and has one of the best farms in this part of the county. He has suitable buildings for stock, and has planted a three-acre grove. He devotes himself to agricultural pursuits, and deals extensively in live-stock. He has added 160 acres to his first purchase, and now owns 240 acres in a body.

Mr. Hall has done much toward the up-building of Shelby County, and is deserving the esteem and regard in which he is held. The first wages he received were $10 a month, and from this small start he has risen to a position of financial independence. Politically he affiliates with the Republican Party; he has served faithfully in the various offices in his township from the beginning of his residence in the county until the present time. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 444, and of the Farmers' Alliance.

He enlisted October 1, 1861, at the call for men to defend this nation's flag, in Company F, Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was honorably discharged November 18, 1864, having served his country for three years. He entered the service as a private, but was soon promoted to Sergeant, in which capacity he served most of the time. The most noted battles in which he participated are Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Lay's Ferry, Resaca, Inka, Altoona, Snake Creek Gap, and Atlanta. He was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and saw all there was to see, but did not feel all there was to feel, as he escaped without a single wound, and without being taken prisoner. However, he endured all the privations incident to a soldier's life, and these are not few. He is a member of the G.A.R., Slacker Post, No. 139.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County