Francis Hall – an energetic and prosperous general agriculturist and a practical horticulturist, successfully cultivating a fine variety of fruit upon his homestead, pleasantly located upon the section of land in Ottawa County, Mich., is a leading citizen of his locality, and an ardent advocate of temperance, is respected for his sterling integrity and high principles. Mr. Hall is the descendant of sturdy English ancestors, his father, William Hall, having been born in Utten Ambo, Yorkshire, England, twelve miles for the city of York. Emigrating to the United States in 1831, the father landed in New York, but tarried only a brief time in that metropolis, journeying thence to Detroit, from that time his permanent home until his death. His life-time occupation was the pursuit of agriculture, and by unceasing industry he thriftily acquired a comfortable competence. Seven children clustered about the family hearth of the parents, and were in the order of birth: Thomas, Hannah, Ann, Mary, Willie, Francis and John, all natives of England, and with the exception of Thomas all accompanied the father and mother to America. William, Mary and Francis are now the sole survivors of the brothers and sisters.

Our subject was born in 1822, and was a little lad of eight years of age when he went to Detroit, in which city he continued to reside until 1869, at which date he came to his present locality. He received an excellent education in the public schools of Detroit, and from the age of eighteen entirely self-supporting, began in 1840 the manufacture of tubs and pails. He continued in this line of trade for fourteen years, and for ten years was employed by E. B. Ward to assist in the construction of twelve large glasshouses used for the propagation and culture of grapes. In 1869, Mr. Hall, purchasing his homestead of one hundred acres, then all heavy timberland, entered with energy upon the clearing and improvement of his farm, and has now brought under profitable cultivation fifty acres, a portion of which is devoted to fruit, principally berries of all kinds. In 1855, Francis Hall and Miss Mary E. McDonald were united in marriage and for thirty-eight years have enjoyed a pleasant companionship, with fidelity sharing each other’s joys and sorrows.

Financially prospered, our subject takes a high place among his friends and neighbors and is considered authority in fruit-culture, being especially successful in handling berries, shipping to outside markets some of the finest produced in the Wolverine State. The union of our subject and his estimable wife has not been blessed by children, but Mr. and Mrs. Hall from their abundance are liberal givers and, kindly by nature, add to the happiness of others. They are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are foremost in the extension of religious influence and the good work of their locality. As a strong temperance advocate, our subject, is deeply interested in lifting up his fallen brethren, and in all matters tending to the elevation of humanity may ever be found upon the side of truth and justice. Fraternally, our subject has since, January, 1845, been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has many sincere friends within that ancient order. Politically a Republican, Mr. Hall takes an active interest in local and national issues and is well versed in the vital interests and public affairs of the day, and, widely known, fully commands the esteem of the entire community among whom his useful years are passed.