HALL, ROBERT. - This chapter contains an interesting record of the career of one whose experience in Cass County has been contemporaneous with the advent of the pioneer settlers of western Illinois, and whose recollections are coincident with the period when this region had hardly begun to emerge from the solitude of a wilderness.

Robert Hall, one of the most extensive land owners and cattle raisers in Cass County, was born June 19, 1835, in the town of Virginia, Ill., and was the first white child born in Cass County, the event occurring in the little frame structure which his parents occupied on their arrival in this region, and which is still standing, being known as the first dwelling put up in the district. He is a son of Dr. Henry Hammond Hall, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, who emigrated to America at an early age, and first settled in Accomac County, Va. There, in 1818, he was married to Ann H. P. Beard, a daughter of Matthew and Ann H. P. Beard. On April 3, 1835, they came to Illinois, and were one of the first families to settle in Cass County. They had spent the winter in Philadelphia, whence they came down the Ohio River, and then up to Beardstown, moving thence to Virginia, Ill., where Dr. Hall engaged in merchandising.

The Hall family were and are connected with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Hall's mother belonging to the Cumberland Presbyterian branch. Dr. Hall encouraged the first churches in the place, and was the first to establish a store in Virginia, bringing mercantile goods with him when he came. He was a physician by profession, but practiced only in urgent cases. Dr. Hall also erected the first Cass County courthouse and jail, at that time a part of Morgan County, and the Doctor, by reason of his superior intelligence and his technical culture was an authority on many matters throughout the whole region, his influence being great. Extended mention of Dr. Hall will be found in this work. He was born in 1798, and his wife in 1799, the former dying in 1847, and the latter, in 1880, aged 81 years. Their children were as follows: John, John second, Henry, Henry second, Eliza, Eliza second, and Anna Pitt, Robert and Jane.

Robert Hall was educated in the subscription schools, obtaining but a few months of instruction in a year. He herded the cattle on the prairie and the grass, in the hot months, frequently caught fire, and serious trouble followed. Mr. Hall began farming in 1851, and followed agricultural pursuits and trading throughout his life. In 1883 he moved into Virginia, where he has since maintained his residence.

In 1859, in Kansas, Mr. Hall was married to Anna D. McClure, who died July 25, 1892, a daughter of Samuel and Louisa (Graft) McClure. They had four children, as follows: Louisa A., deceased; Eliza P., Roberta G. (Mrs. W. B. Stribling) of Virginia, Ill., and Henry Samuel, who married Florence Dunaway, of Denver, Colo. The second marriage of Mr. Hall took place June 23, 1896, to Ida Lee James. She was a daughter of John W. and Catherine (Williamson) James, of Virginia. Mrs. Hall was born in North Carolina, and came to Illinois when a child.

Mr. Hall has had, at one time, on his farm more than 1000 head of cattle, and is one of the largest land owners in Cass County. He was one of the principal organizers of the Centennial National Bank of Virginia, which was chartered February 24, 1876, with a capital of $50,000, with the following officers: president, John A. Petefish; vice president, A. J. Angier; cashier, John Woods; directors, A. J. Angier, John A. Petefish, Daniel Biddlecome, T. J. Crum, J. H. Bates, A. Struble, Robert Hall, W. L. Black and Thomas Dunaway. Mr. Hall also helped to organize the Virginia Coal Company and sold the land for the use of the Agricultural Association as a fair ground. He participated in the organization of this body and accepted a directorship, and for many years acted as superintendent.

It may be said of Robert Hall as his prolonged and useful life develops towards its culmination, that he has been identified with more important enterprises than any other citizen of his section.