Ritchie Co., WV: Bios - J. Townson Hall
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Submitted by Valerie Crook

The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., 
Chicago and New York, Volume III
pg. 73
Ritchie County

J. TOWNSON HALL was born on a farm on which stands
today the thriving village of Auburn, Ritchie County, the
date of his nativity having been March 13, 1855. It is
interesting to record that he is now one the representative
exponents of farm industry in his native county and that he
is president of the Auburn Exchange Bank, to the executive
affairs of which he gives much of his time.

Mr. Hall is a son of E. M. and Tacy J. (Jeffrey) Hall, the
former of whom was born September 1, 1829, and the latter
February 28, 1833, at West Union, Doddridge County.
E. M. Hall was a boy at the time of his parents' removal to
Ritchie County, where his early education was gained in the
subscription schools. His wife was reared and educated
in Doddridge County, and after their marriage they resided
for a number of years on a farm in that county. Mr. Hall
then became a progressive farmer in Ritchie County, and also
conducted a general store at Auburn. After selling his store
he passed the remainder of his life on his farm, he having
become the owner of a fine estate of 200 acres and having
been a leader in agricultural and live-stock industry in
Ritchie County. He and his wife were zealous members of
the Baptist Church, in which he was a local minister, and his
political support was given to the democratic party. Of
their fine family of twelve children only three are living in
1922, and of this number the subject of this review is the
eldest; William F. is a resident of Fort Collins, Colorado;

Joseph S. is a successful ranchman and banker in the State
of Colorado; and Tacy, who was the wife of Jerome Brake,
of Harrisville, Ritchie County, died March 25, 1922.

J. Townson Hall remained at the parental home until he
had attained his legal majority, and in the meanwhile he
had made good use of his educational advantages, as shown
by the fact that he was successfully engaged in teaching in
the rural schools for four terms. He has continued as a suc-
cessful representative of farm enterprise in his native county
and is the owner of a well improved farm of 200 acres—the
old homestead on which he passed his childhood and youth.
He has been actively concerned in the upbuilding of the
substantial business of the Auburn Exchange Bank, of which
he was one of the organizers and of which he is the president.
Though loyal and public-spirited and a staunch advocate of
the principles of the democratic party, Mr. Hall has had no
desire for public office of any kind. He and his wife are
active members of the Baptist Church at Auburn.

In April, 1877, Mr. Hall wedded Miss Amanda V. Ward,
who was born on a farm in the Bonecreek District of Ritchie
County, December 7,1853, a daughter of Martin C. and Mary
J. (Gaston) Ward. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have five children.
F. Guy who resides with his parents, has one son, Arza, and
the maiden name of his wife was Edith Wade. Lyda is the
wife of Charles Acklin, and they reside in the State of Colo-
rado. They have two children, Theodore and Wesley. 

Porter F. lives on a farm in Colorado. Alma is the wife of
James Dalton and they also reside on a farm in Colorado. They
have four children living, Arnold, Herbert, Le Roy and
Mona. They also had a little daughter, Lola, who was
drowned at the age of eighteen months. Carr, who married
Nerdie Bernard, lives in Gilmer County, West Virginia.

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