OBADIAH HALL, an old and highly respected citizen of Franklin township, Randolph county, Ind., is a native of Tennessee, born in Campbell county, near the town of Jacksboro, March 24, 1820. On his father's side, Mr. Hall is descended from Irish ancestry, his grandfather, Thomas Hall, having been a native of the Emerald Isle. Edmund Hall, Jr., father of Obadiah, was a Tennesseean by birth, a farmer by occupation, and he died a number of years ago in the state of his nativity. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Tudor, was a daughter of Harris Tudor, the latter a son of an Englishman who was shipwrecked while crossing the Atlantic and who was picked up by a passing vessel after floating on a single plank for five days.
Obadiah Hall passed the years of his youth and early manhood on a farm in Tennessee, and before arriving at manhood's estate, came to Randolph county, Ind., thence, a short time afterward, went to Darke county, Ohio, where he learned the trade of coopering. He also purchased a farm in the latter state and resided on the same until 1856, at which time he returned to Randolph county, locating in the township of Ward. In 1863 he removed to where he now resides in Franklin township, his present farm being, at that date, an unbroken piece of woodland. By persevering industry, and the exercise of the most rigid economy, he succeeded in removing the forest growth and in due time a beautiful farm, supplied with all the improvements and appliances necessary to the successful prosecution of agriculture in these modern times, crowned his well directed efforts. His farm consists of 120 acres, the greater part of which is well improved, and, in addition to tilling the soil, which is carried on by the most improved plans, he pays considerable attention to stock raising, his success in the latter being most gratifying.
Mr. Hall was married June 13. 1844, to Mary M. Albright, of Darke county, Ohio, daughter of Adam and Sarah Albright, the union resulting in the birth of nine children, namely:
- John W., physician of Portland, Ind.;
- Frances E. , now Mrs. Schrockengost ;
- Adam B. and Allison W. (twins), the former dying in infancy and the latter at the age of six years;
- Philip H., deceased;
- Simpson O., farmer of Randolph county;
- Mrs. Eliza D. Kolp, deceased;
- Willis M., a medical student at Cleveland, Ohio, and Margaret A., who died in infancy (the last two twins).
Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been highly esteemed members of the Methodist church for over half a century, and their daily lives are practical exemplifications of the religion which they profess. Mr. Hall has been a member of the quarterly conference for thirty-six years, in addition to which he has held various official positions in his local congregation, including those of trustee and class leader. In 1844 he cast his first presidential ballot for Henry Clay, but for many years he has been true in allegiance to the democratic party. He is a noble example of the successful self made man, and it is a compliment, most worthily deserved, to mention his name in this connection, as one of the leading citizens of the township in which he resides.
