William D. Hall Biography


	This biography appears on pages 853-854 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				WILLIAM D. HALL. 

	William D. Hall has been successfully engaged in general 
agricultural pursuits in South Dakota during the past third of a 
century and is now the owner of a valuable farm embracing one hundred 
and fifty acres on section 23, Big Stone township, Grant county. His 
birth occurred in Ottawa, Minnesota, on the 1st of August, 1860, his 
parents being D. P. and Ann Eliza (Harroun) Hall, natives of Vermont 
and Pennsylvania respectively, who were married in Wisconsin. The 
father made his way to the Badger state in an early day, driving all ox 
team from Milwaukee to his place of settlement near Ripon. He also 
became a pioneer settler of Minnesota and in that state took up land. 
In 1881 he came to South Dakota, here purchasing a half section of land 
which he cultivated with good success during the remainder of his life. 
Mr. Hall was a preacher of the Christadelphian church and his teachings 
were a potent force in the morad and spiritual growth of the 
communities where he labored. His political allegiance was given to the 
republican party. To him and his wife were born eight children, five of 
whom survive. as follows: Frank, who makes his home with our subject; 
William D., of this review; Mrs. Carrie Whitsruck, of St. Paul, 
Minnesota; Erick, who also lives with his brother William; and Mrs. 
Grace Russell, of Superior, Wisconsin. Philander Hall, the paternal 
grandfather of William D. Hall, was a native of Vermont and passed away 
in Wisconsin. 

	William D. Hall attended the common schools in the acquirement of 
an education and after putting aside his textbooks worked in a wood and 
coal office of St. Paul, Minnesota, for three years. In 1882, when a 
young man of twenty-two years, he purchased a farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres in South Dakota and the following year bought another 
quarter section. Throughout the intervening years he has devoted his 
attention to the pursuits of general farming and dairying and at the 
present time owns and cultivates one hundred and fifty acres of land on 
section 23, Big Stone township, Grant county. He milks from fifteen to 
twenty cows and sells to the creamery of which he is treasurer, 
breeding Guernsey cattle, of which he owned the first herd in the 
state. When he came to South Dakota his capital consisted of but fifty 
dollars, and the success which has here attended his undertakings is 
indicated in his splendid farm with its beautiful home and substantial 
outbuildings. 

	On the 23d of November. 1893. Mr. Hall was united in marriage to 
Miss Clara Hillmer, a native of Stillwater, Minnesota, and a daughter 
of Christ Hillmer, who was born in Germany and was a tailor by trade. 
Emigrating to the United States, he took up his abode in Stillwater, 
Minnesota, in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are the parents of seven 
children, namely: Clyde, Ruth, Lester, Raymond, Grace Mildred and 
Pearl, all at home. 

	Mr. Hall gives his political allegiance to the republican party 
and is now ably serving in the capacity of town clerk. His fraternal 
relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, while his wife is a devoted member of the 
Lutheran church. His life has been upright and honorable in all 
relations and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the 
representative agriculturists and respected citizens of his community.