... WILLIAM A. HALL, one of the most substantial farmers of Ripley township, who is still carrying on operations of an extensive character on his valuable property not far from Carthage, has been a typical representative of the best and highest class in the agricultural element of Rush county. Mr. Hall was born on the farm which he now owns and operates, March 2, 1853, a son of Festus and Maria (Abernathy) Hall, natives of the state of Ohio. Festus Hall was engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout a long and active career, principally in Rush county, where he was the owner of 400 acres of valuable and productive land. He was also a man of prominence and influence in his community, and in 1858 was elected as representative of his district to the state legislature, in which he served capably for one term, during which there was a special session of the House. He at all times discharged faithfully the highest duties of citizenship and friendship, and was accordingly greatly esteemed among his fellow citizens. He and his wife were the parents of five children, three of whom survive, J. Chalmers, Frank L. and William A. Two died in infancy. J. Chalmers Hall is identified with the Abernathy Furniture Company, of Kansas City, Mo., manufacturers of and wholesale dealers in high-class furniture. He married Elizabeth Barton, and is the father of one son, Barton. Frank L. Hall is also identified with the same furniture house, and is a member of the board of trustees of DePauw University. He is unmarried. William A. Hall was given excellent educational advantages in his youth, first attending the common schoolhouse in Ripley township, later the high school at Knightstown, and finally DePauw University, where he spent two years. He then began farming on the home place, and in 1879, because of the enfeebled condition of his father's health, assumed its management. After his father died, in 1880, he continued to operate the farm as part owner and manager for his mother, and after the death of the latter, October 27, 1896, bought out all the heirs to the estate, and now is sole owner of the farm of 416 acres, one of the largest and best in that part of Rush county. Although he is now sixty-eight years old, he continues the operation of the land with hired help, and in addition to carrying on farming in a successful way has been a large grower of cattle, shipping about three carloads annually, in addition to about 200 head of hogs. The greater part of his agricultural work is done by tractors, as Mr. Hall is a believer in the efficacy of modern inventions and the use of up-to-date methods. Intelligent, practical, systematic, diligent, persevering and provident in his farming operations, his career as a farmer has reflected credit upon that vocation. Mr. Hall is a Republican. During his attendance at DePauw University he was made a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. ...
