Passaic County NJ Archives Biographies.....Isaac A. HALL, 1860 - 1915 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nj/njfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 8, 2008, 9:46 pm Author: Mary Depue Ogden, Editor (1917) HALL, Isaac A., Man of Affairs, Philanthropist. The name of Hall ranks very high in the commercial history of Northern New Jersey, particularly in the silk industry of America. In 1857, Albert Hall, the father of Isaac A. Hall, established in the city of Paterson, New Jersey, what was practically a new industry in the United States, i. e., the manufacture of reeds and harness for silk weaving. He built up and successfully managed a very large business, continuing actively in it until his death, when his son, Isaac A. Hall, took over the active management of the business. From that time it took rank among the leading industries of New Jersey. Isaac A. Hall expanded that business, skillfully managed it, and constantly enlarged it, until the business became a leader in its line. His activities covered the planning and erection of large mills for industrial purposes and uses, directorships in large and influential corporations, service to his city and State in public capacities of great importance, and service as director of numerous charitable institutions and enterprises. He was likewise active in a social and fraternal way. Repeated efforts were made to have Mr. Hall enter political life, but he absolutely refused to entertain any idea of political perferment, except when induced to serve in some public capacity upon some State commissions. Continued and persistent efforts were made to induce him to leave Paterson and settle at Allentown, Pennsylvania, where, after the State of Pennsylvania had begun to attract silk manufacturers, he had established large industries. He continued his residence in the city of Paterson, feeling that ties of friendship held him there which far outweighed any other consideration. He was a social leader in the city, and a prominent member of all of the clubs in and around the vicinity of the city of Paterson and Northern New Jersey. His frank open manner, well-known integrity and honor in all his business dealings, proved him the unusual man and made his life an inspiration to others. Isaac A. Hall was born in Paterson, New Jersey, October 9, 1860, and died at Roosevelt Hospital, New York, November 3, 1915, where he had been taken to undergo treatment. The family came from Staleybridge, England, in the month of September, 1857, and located in the city of Paterson, New Jersey. Albert Hall was very familiar with English mill supplies, and after residing in the city of Paterson for a period of three years, decided to undertake the manufacture of reeds and harness for silk weaving. At that time these were not manufactured in America, but extensively imported. He began in a modest way, and through industry became successful, continuing his business until his death, August 4, 1870. His son, Isaac A. Hall, was then but ten years of age. Isaac A. Hall continued his course in the public schools of Paterson until graduation. For a time after graduation, he took up a business and commercial course at Latimer's Business College. He loved the sea, and yielding to his impulse he took a course upon a training ship. His mother sent him to the training ship "Minnehaha," then after a time he was transferred to the frigate "Constitution," upon which ship he completed his term of service. In the meantime the business founded by his father had been continued, and upon completion of his career at sea the young man became actively connected with it, and when he attained his majority he was taken into the firm. He immediately showed such business acumen and unusual executive ability that in a few years the others had retired and Isaac A. Hall assumed and took over the entire business. In the month of January, 1883, he re-organized the business, assuming the trade name of I. A. Hall & Company, and immediately undertook operations on a very extensive scale. At about that time the company's factory at No. 18 Division street (now Hamilton avenue), Paterson, New Jersey, was, with its entire contents, totally destroyed by fire. Very little insurance had been carried upon the business, consequently the loss was a severe one. Rising promptly to the emergency, Mr. Hall and his mother shortly resumed active operations at the branch, No. 110 Straight street. The partnership with his mother continued until May 6, 1886, when Mr. Hall took over by purchase the interests of his mother, and the business became his sole property. At once larger quarters were obtained in West street, where the business was continued until 1888, at which time he had completed a large plant on Hamilton avenue, in which plant until his death he conducted the business of I. A. Hall & Company. The specialties which his father had first manufactured in America, together with general weavers' supplies, vast quantities of which were used in weaving in Paterson mills, continued to be manufactured by Mr. Hall in his new plant, and the steady and insistent demand for them furnished a very large shipping business. This demand was not entirely a domestic demand. The character and quality of the merchandise and supplies manufactured led to an extensive European business. Valuable patents were acquired, and many of the supplies made at his factory could not be obtained elsewhere. He employed several hundred hands. In addition to the manufacture and sale of his own products, he was sales agent for large French and English mills. The business was of such magnitude that it required most of the time and energy of Mr. Hall. He was a man of splendid foresight and anticipating the needs of Paterson to accommodate small manufacturers in the silk and other textile industries, who were unable to build their plants, he erected large mills to meet this demand, purchased large tracts of land on Fulton and other streets in the territory known as Dean's Hill, in the city of Paterson, and in 1898 he erected for industrial purposes the first Hall mill. The instant success of this venture caused him to duplicate that mill, by the erection on the adjoining property of another of the same size and type. These mills instantly became popular and have been constantly filled with high class tenants. His success in this line in Paterson led him to duplicate it in the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, where his mills were much sought after by the best tenants and his success there was immediate. Time vindicated the keenness of his business judgment and the clearness of his foresight. The expansion of his business both in the city of Paterson and the city of Allentown continued, and much of his time had to be spent in the city of Allentown, where he was as well and favorably known as he was in Northern New Jersey. Aside from these business activities he served as president of an extensive corporation, manufacturing broad silks in the city of Philadelphia, was president of the Union Transit Company, operating a line of automobiles between Paterson, New Jersey, and Ridgewood, New Jersey; was vice-president of the Eagle Fire Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey; was an organizer, vice-president and one of the largest stockholders of the German American Trust Company, one of Paterson's leading banking institutions; was vice-president of the Title Guarantee Land Company; a director in the Passaic Building Association, and numerous other land companies; a director of the Clifton Trust Company, the Nassau and Suffolk Lighting Company of Long Island; The Fourth Ward Market Association, and many other interests too numerous to be enumerated herein. Despite his disinclination for political honors, Mr. Hall served as commissioner of public instruction, as president of the park commission of the city of Paterson, and as chairman of the most important committees in those commissions. During the administration of John Franklin Fort, as Governor of New Jersey, he served as one of the New Jersey commissioners to the Alaska-Yukon Exposition, giving most valuable advice and service to the commission. He was a director in the Young Men's Christian Association, and a member of the advisory board of the Paterson General Hospital of Paterson, New Jersey, and the Nathan and Miriam Barnert Memorial Hospital of Paterson, New Jersey, was one of the most philanthropic citizens that Paterson ever had. His charities, however, were quiet and unostentatious, so that few knew of their magnitude. He was keenly interested in boys and young men and particularly in the newsboys of his native city, for whose welfare and advancement he did much. For years he was the host at a Christmas dinner at which all the newsboys and their friends were his guests, and this deserving charity he maintained each Christmas up to the time of his death. One of the handsomest floral pieces at the funeral obsequies was contributed by the newsboys, each of whom gave his contribution from his scanty income. Mr. Hall held all degrees in Masonry, both Scottish and York Rite up to and including the thirty-second. For a time he was an active officer in Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 88, Free and Accepted Masons; he was also one of the most prominent members of Mecca Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of New York City. Likewise, he was a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, and the most prominent member of Paterson Lodge, No. 60, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In his daily life, he exemplified fully the best principles and tenets of these orders. His activity and interest in the order of Elks was most pronounced. Through his most generous liberality, the Paterson Lodge was able to erect one of the finest club houses to be found in the East. His assistance to this home on a substantial basis was very practical and his support of it was very liberal, and his bequests at the time of his death most generous, running into thousands of dollars. He was prominent in all associations of silk manufacturers, most particularly in the Silk Association of Paterson, and the Silk Association of America. He was passionately devoted to sports, both outdoor and indoor. He took an active interest in the North Jersey Driving and Agricultural Association, the Paterson Cricket Club, the Hibernia Bowling Club, the North Jersey Automobile Association, The North Jersey Country Club and the Areola Country Club. Other club connections were the Lake Hopatcong Club, the Livingston Club at Allentown, Pennsylvania, and while in the City of New York he took active interest and was a member of the Lotus and the Knickerbocker clubs. For a number of years he was a staff officer upon the staff of Brigadier-General Edwin W. lline, commanding the Second Brigade, New Jersey National Guard, ranking as major. He loved horseback riding and always kept for immediate use one or two very fine mounts. Mr. Hall's first wife, who was Minnie (Shaw) Hall, died in 1905. He is survived by his second wife, Vaugn (Smith) Hall, formerly of Weatherford, Texas, now residing at the family home, No. 167 Hamilton avenue, Paterson, New Jersey. He was a member and liberal supporter of St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Paterson, New Jersey. In the death of Mr. Hall, Paterson lost one of its most prominent and beloved sons. For several years prior to his death he had not been in the best of health. The strain of constant business activity and the pressure and solution of numerous and perplexing business problems finally proved too much. His health gave way under the strain, and he was compelled to resort to the best efforts of specialists to prolong his life. His place in the affections of the multitude comprising the cosmopolitan population of the city of Paterson was one that few could attain. He was always foremost in civic service. The question uppermost in his mind always was what was for the best interests of his native city. His popularity through his social and congenial disposition was unbounded. His ability as an honorable and shrewd business man, ever willing to give service and advice to others, caused his name to become a household word in his native city. The funeral obsequies were conducted from St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Paterson, New Jersey, by the rector. Rev. David Stuart Hamilton. D. D., and interment was made in a magnificent mausoleum erected upon the commanding site of the Hall plot in the Cedar Lawn Cemetery. His estate showed a valuation of more than million and a half dollars, consisting of valuable mills, manufacturing plants, and valuable stocks and bonds. The principal beneficiary under his will was his widow, Vaugn (Smith) Hall. Other beneficiaries, aside from his many public bequests, were his two sisters, Mrs. Alice Van Gieson, Mrs. Sarah Morehead, and a brother, Thomas W. Hall, all of whom reside in the city of Paterson. The obituaries published in all the papers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York City at the time of Mr. Hall's death paid deserving and beautiful tribute to his memory. One of the best illustrations of this is to be found in the following extract taken from the "Paterson Press" of November 4, 1915: A STRONG PILLAR FALLEN. In the death of Isaac A. Hall, Paterson has lost one of the strongest pillars of its citizenship. It may be truthfully said that few men who have been active in the developmental process of this community for the past quarter of a century have borne a more conspicuous, influential and honorable part than the one whose activities have been suddenly stilled by the cold hand of death, while he was still in the zenith of his remarkable powers. It may with equal truth be said that no man ever lived in our city who was better loved by all classes and conditions of its people than Major Hall. Had he been ambitious for public office there is none within their gift he could not have had. But, while he was constantly ready to act as a servant of the people when he was called upon, and had often filled responsible public stations always with exemplary fidelity and ability, and while he was one of the most zealous and devoted champions of the political party of which he was a life-long adherent—he steadfastly declined the numerous appeals which were from time to time made to him to accept nominations for high offices when such acceptance would have meant sure election. But Major Hall with all his energy and initiative was the incarnation of modesty and preferred to confine his activities to a business career and his interest outside of that to the noble cause of charity and philanthropy. No larger-minded or more generous soul ever graced this city than that which dwelt in the bosom of Isaac A. Hall. And none who have departed this life bearing with them the benedictions of an entire city will live longer in the memories of the people of Paterson than the one whom we are now compelled to see carried to his final rest. Additional Comments: Extracted from: MEMORIAL CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF MARY DEPUE OGDEN VOLUME III MEMORIAL HISTORY COMPANY NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 1917 Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/nj/passaic/bios/hall-ia.jpg This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/njfiles/ File size: 15.5 Kb This file is located at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nj/passaic/bios/hall-ia.txt