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Submitted by  Cheryl VanWomer

					
				HON. FREDERICK HALL.*
				MRS. ANN (EAGER) HALL

	Hon. Frederick Hall was born in Shelburn, Chittenden Co., Vt., March 24, 1816.  His 
father, Burgess Hall, was an associate judge and a member of the Legislature of Vermont.  Mr. 
Hall was educated in the public schools of his native town.  He was well drilled in all the 
elementary branches, but liked hunting and fishing better than study.  In 1835 he went to Galena,
Ill.  While there his funds failed, and so he crossed the Mississippi and spent the winter of 
1835-36 in chopping cord-wood.  He was variously occupied at different places until the fall and 
winter of 1836-37, when he was engaged in looking up government lands.  In the fall of the latter
year he was appointed deputy register at Lyons, Mich.  In the spring of 1842 he became associated
with John Ball, of Grand Rapids, and assisted him in selecting five hundred thousand acres of 
land granted by the United States to Michigan for internal improvements.  In July, 1842, he 
engaged with Daniel Ball as clerk in a general mercantile business.  The following February he 
was appointed deputy register, and was also made clerk for the receiving of public money.  In 
1844 he was elected register of deeds, and in 1845 was appointed receiver of public money, which 
position he held until 1849.  From that time until 1853 he was engaged extensively in land 
speculation.  In 1853 he was again appointed receiver of public money by President Pierce.  In 
1840 he was justice of the peace of Lyons township, Ionia Co.  In 1849 he was elected to the 
Legislature.  He was nominated for Congress on the Democratic ticket in 1864.  In 1873 he was the
first mayor of Ionia, and the following year was the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant-Governor.
In 1876 he was one of the State electors.  He was a director of the Ionia and Lansing Railroad 
until its consolidation with the Detroit, Lansing and Lake Michigan Railroad, and was president 
of the First National Bank for a number of years,--from its organization.  Mr. Hall has been 
actively engaged as general land-operator for many years.  He is the wealthiest man in Ionia 
County, and one of its most generous and public-spirited citizens.  His political views and 
sentiments harmonize with those of the Democratic party.  He took a prominent part in getting up 
a regiment during the late Rebellion.  Mr. Hall became a member of the Masonic fraternity in 
December, 1849, and was exalted to Ionia Chapter, No. 14, in 1852.  He is also a member of Ionia
Commandery, No. 11, Knights Templar.  He belongs to the council of Royal and Select Masters, and 
was knighted at Detroit Commandery, No. 1, in 1853.  He became an Odd-Fellow in 1875.  He has 
held the offices of High Priest in Chapter No. 14, Commander of Ionia Commandery, and Chief 
Patriarch of Ionia Encampment.  Mr. Hall has always been intimately identified with the 
educational and public interests of Ionia.  He is a liberal supporter of churches and schools, 
and contributes to the building of railroads.  His rare business qualifications have gained for 
him universal respect, and his unvarying courtesy and hearty sociability win the love of those 
fortunate enough to be thrown into intimate relations with him.  In person he is tall, of 
graceful bearing, and prepossessing appearance.  His residence on Main Street, Ionia,--one of 
the most elegant in Western Michigan,--is built entirely of the variegated sandstone obtained 
from the Ionia quarries.  Mr. Hall was married Jan. 8, 1848, to Ann Eager.  They have one child, 
a daughter.




* From the "Representative Men of Michigan."

This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881.  Pages 173-174.  City of Ionia.