Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Hall, Benjamin
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


BENJAMIN HALL, a well-to-do agriculturist of Hopewell 
township, Bedford County, is a typical representative of the 
self-made men of our country that have achieved a grand 
success in life by sheer persistency and stability of 
purpose.  He was born December 11, 1823, in Somersetshire, 
England, where his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Hall, were 
born and lived and died.
  Mr. Hall was educated in the free schools of 
Somersetshire, and while in his native country became 
familiar with the various branches of farming as there 
carried on.  He married at twenty-four years of age, and 
less than two years later, in 1849, he emigrated to America. 
 Taking passage at Liverpool on a sailing vessel, he arrived 
in Philadelphia, Pa., after a tedious voyage of six weeks 
and three days.  Coming immediately to Bedford County, he 
settled in Hopewell township; and the following year, being 
very much pleased with his new home, he sent for his wife 
and child.  He began work as a farm hand for James Price, 
and continued in this capacity for six years.  At the end of 
that time he began farming on his own account by renting 
land.  He succeeded fully as well as he anticipated, and 
subsequently bought land of his own.  By dint of unceasing 
toil, he acquired some money, and from time to time added to 
his original purchase, until now he is the owner of a fine 
farm of three hundred acres at Yellow Creek.  In the 
management of this large estate, which is well equipped and 
well stocked, he has shown excellent judgment and great 
enterprise.  In addition to the fine set of farm buildings 
that he keeps in such good repair, he has a grist-mill on 
the banks of the creek.
  On December 28, 1847, in Wales, he married Catherine 
Price, who was born in Wales, May 15, 1828, a daughter of 
John and Ann (Jones) Price.  A large family of children were 
born to their union, of whom the following survive: Margaret 
A. and James T., both of Hopewell; John W., of Kansas City, 
Mo.; Mary A., wife of Andrew Creps, of Hopewell; William P., 
of Slayton, Minn.; George P., of Hopewell; Rebecca M., wife 
of Samuel Fluck, of Hopewell; Henry G. and Charles W., both 
of Hopewell; Catherine E., wife of George Gorsuch, also of 
Hopewell.  Mr. and Mrs. Hall also have an adopted daughter, 
Iva G., to whom they have given the same tender care that 
they did to their own offspring.
  Mr. Hall is a strong Republican in politics; and, while he 
takes no active part in the affairs of the town, his opinion 
on public questions invariably carries weight.  Mrs. Hall is 
a member of the Presbyterian church.  Both are highly 
esteemed in the community, and have the cordial esteem of 
their neighbors.  On December 28, 1897, they celebrated 
their golden wedding anniversary at their pleasant home, 
making it a joyful occasion for their relatives and friends.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa