Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-01-28

John Wood Hall, once governor of
Delaware, and member of the State
Senate for Kent county, died at 6.a5
o'clock Saturday evening, at his home
in Frederick. He had been in failing
health for year past, but 1t was only
about week ago that he became III.
His death was due TO complication of
diseases that resulted in heart failure.
His three children, Samuel w. Hall of
Dover, John W. Hall, Jr., of Frederick
and Mrs. Charles Lister of Philadelphia,
were with him when ne died. The news
of his death created decided sensation
throughout the State, most people not
being aware that he was even seriously
i'll. His death still leaves four living
eX-governors of Delaware--James Pom
der, John z. Cochran, Charles Q. Stock
ley and Benjamin L. Biggs.
SKETCH OF MS LIFE.
He was born January LIST, 1917, at
Frederick. His paternal ancestor was
an early settler in this State and his de-
scendants ranked among the most
worthy citizens. Winlock Hall, his
grandfather, born in Milford Neck,
owned much land in Kent county and
was a prosperous farmer. John Hall,
the father of the subject of this sketch,
was born January Both, 1885, and served
in the war of 1912, In early life he was
a merchant at Milford Subsequently
he engaged in the same business ut
Frederick. He was one of the leading
business men of the town and country
| around, foremost in the chief business
| operations and was highly esteemed In
the community. lie died January LIST,
le2b, ana ms wlle, nee Henrietta Bow
man, september 18th, 1884 BY the
death OF his father Ex-Governor Hall
was LETT an orphan at the age Of nine
years, His mother was gentle, kind
and noble woman and devoted mem.
DER oil the Methodlst Episcopal church.
soon after the death OF his father the
son, the last survivor OF five children,
| went 70 i've with an uncle, who was his
| guardian aud with whom he remained
until educated. When II years old he be-
came clerk Tor Clement Mason OF Fred
erica, agreeing to give eight months
services Tor $50 and board, with the
privilege OF selling confectionery on
MS own account. AT the end OF this
term Of service, his former employer
having sold his business, he hired with
solomon townsend, enjoying the same
privilege. With his savings he bought
out FREDERICK cabinetmaker and put
tn the shop experienced men to do the
work, Meanwhile he continued with
Mr.. Townsend, remaining until he at
tanned his 2lst birthday when he
bought out has employer. Immediately
thereafter he sold his cabinet making
shop TO a man who, In exchange,
erected for him dwelling, In which
be lived many years. The profits
from his candy business were the found
alton OF his prosperous business career.
soon he started to do general mer-
chandlsing business, which he gradually
extended until his customers came from
u large area of the surrounding cottnry.
He dealt largely In grain, produce,
wood, limo, fertilizers and specially in
lumber lie needed vessels and in 1888,
the first year he was in business for
himself, he had one built. Almost
yearly after that he had one or more
constructed for his own use and the
general coastwise and foreign trade,
and ut the time of his death he owned
more sailing vessels than any other per-
son in the State. These boats have en-
tered nearly every port in the United
States sand many foreign ports They range
from $50 to 1900 tons and were mostly
built in Kent and Sussex counties.
In 1861 he took as u partner In his mer.
camille business at Frederick james b.
Anderson, Mr.. Hall furnishing the
capital. Six years later Mr. Hall retired
from the business, his son. John w
Hall, ,Jr,, taking his place. The Arm
continued until 1884, when the son. re.
| ~ Al.
Ex-Governor Hall inherited two farms
from his father and ono from Colonel
John Wood after whom he was
named. They became very valuable
subsequently he purchased land untIi
he had 5000 acres, divided into %
farms and highly cultivated. The Warren
mansion, his last real estate purchase
one of the finest farms in the vicinity
belonged to his wifes grandfather and
has been in the family name mere than
a century.
In politics he was oririnallv a Will,
When that party eensed he becomp
, Democrat From 1861 Ia lS93 liz ya.
State director of the Farmers Ranls
In 1866 he was elected STATE senator
leading the ticket II III county
and served four wears with ,,r,9,
accountability. In 1870 he vss
delegate 20 the national Democrat
convention which nominatod m,
late Samuel j rilden fnr presidon,
Two wears Dreyioiis Ia, iacs,.d o,iy n ~,
votes of being nominated for gny,rnnr ~,
Notwithstanding ii was Nav Castlt
county's turn 10 furnish n cnudidate
In 1878 he was nominated bv acclan,n
ton and was elected governor bv = IA,
Uaipri.v nc .Ir,i i..,r.ti,.,, -
.iiaJhiy' ,ri ms 'uiilihlstutioh was very
populdr. tbs appointments gave genera