From "A History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties"
Provided by The Grant County Museum
WILLIAM HALL - is one of the leading stockmen and agriculturists of Grant county,
having come here before there were any improvements made by the hand of the white man, and being identified
with the county from the incipiency of political organization, he has steadily allied himself
with its development and labored for its advancement and progress, as well as prosecuting his
own private business with a vigor and sagacity that have brought the wealth of prosperity, its well erned
meed.
Mr. Hall was born in Dorset, England, in 1840 and came to America with his brother, Henry, in 1858, remaining
in Guelph, Canada, for three years, engaged on a farm, after which he went to Salem, this state, to join his
brother, who had preceded him thither. In 1861, in company with his brother, he bought a herd of dairy cows and took
them to Walla Walla, and in the winter following was unfortunate enough to lose them all in the unusually cold
weather. In the spring of 1862 he was induced by the rumors from the new diggins in the Powder river region to come
thither. He pressed on into the Canyon City district and was occupied in mining until 1864, and then in company
with his brother bought the farm where they now live, two miles west from Prairie City. Here he has operated in
company with his brother and has given his attention to raising stock and tilling the soil. Prosperity, because
of his energy and wise methods of procedure, has attended his efforts and he justly ranks at the head among the
stockmen of eastern Oregon. In 1867 he made a trip to England for pleasure, and again in 1872, at which time he was
married to his cousin, Miss Elizabeth Hall, a native of Ashmore, Dorset county, England. To them were born three
children, William, Sarah and George. Mrs. Hall was taken by the hand of death from her family and husband and her
remains lie buried in the cemetery at Prairie City. Her demise was universally mourned. Mr. Hall is a member of the
I.O.O.F., Prairie City Lodge, No. 33. In political matters he is with the Republican party and is an ardent supporter of
their principles. In 1886 he was a member of the state tax commission. It is of note that Mr. Hall and his brother were the
first men to start a bakery in the county, which they operated for some time with success attending their efforts. Mr. Hall
is one of the leaders in the county and is a man possessed of a broad public spirit, keen discernment, and a geniality
that is manifest to all. Being a fine conversationalist and well informed, he is looked up to as one that is rightly
placed in the position of leader among his fellows, and it is gratifying that he is always arrayed on the side of sound
principles and uprightness.
Please Click Here To Read The Biography Of Henry Hall
