Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-George B. Hall
Portrait and Biographical
Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
GEORGE B. HALL, a leading and influential
citizen of Solomon City, well deserves
representation in this volume, and it is with
pleasure that we present his sketch to our readers,
many of whom are numbered among his warm
friends. A native of Canada, he was born in Ontario
County, December 19, 1828, and is a son of
Jabez and Mary (Ellsworth) Hall. His father was
a native of Vermont, and his mother was born in
Canada, where their marriage took place. His
father had been previously married, and he was
the eldest child of the second union.
Our subject remained at home until his lather's
death in 1857, and then took charge of all the
business affairs. In 1850 he had expected to go
to California and engage in gold mining; in fact,
he had his clothes packed and ready to start, but
was persuaded to remain at home and take charge
of the farm. He remained on the old homestead
until 1863, when he sold out and came to Kansas.
He first stopped at the home of his brother Luther,
who lived in Junction City, and later resided
with his brother-in-law, H. Whitely, who had located
in Solomon City. In 1859 he pre-empted
his first claim, just northwest of the present city,
and, being unmarried, spent his time between this
place and Junction City.
In 1864 the State militia was called out to
quell the Indian outbreaks in Saline and Ottawa
Counties, and Mr. Hall engaged in the service,
taking the place of Mr. Whitely. He served under
H. L. Jones, of Salina, and was afterward under
the command of Gen. Curtis. Supplies giving
out, he was sent back to Salina to get provisions,
but could find only two pounds of crackers and
two bottles of Hostetter's bitters. A few settlers
were found in Solomon Valley, but the men of
the colony were all out on a hunting expedition,
and the boys and women had prepared to withstand
the Indians.
During those early days Mr. Hall engaged in
hauling lumber from Leavenworth for Mr. Whitely's
residence (the first house in Solomon City),
and in 1866 he built an hotel at a cost of $8,000.
He kept the stage house, where the Montezuma
House now stands, being in charge from 1866 until
1877. The name of Mr. Hall is inseparably
connected with the history of Solomon City and
the community. He was the first Major of the
town, and filled the office at the time when it was
a great stock-shipping point. He made his home
in the village from 1877 until 1884, when he built
his present residence just outside the city limits.
He had already operated the farm, which is under
a high state of cultivation and one of the desirable
places of the county.
On the 12th of January, 1866, in Lawrence,
Kan., Mr. Hall married Miss Electa Robacher, who
died January 12, 1883. They had a family of six
children: Ada, wife of Ed King; George, who is a
printer by trade; Kittle, Newman, Robert and
Fred. Mr. Hall was again married, October 27,
1884, his second union being with Mrs. Cramer,
widow of Joseph A. Cramer, who died in this county.
This lady bore the maiden name of Augusta
Hunt, and is a native of Massachusetts, who came
to Lawrence, Kan., May 24, 1856. In 1863 the
mother of our subject came to make her home
with him and resided here until her death, which
occurred in 1880.
Mr. Hall is a member of the Baptist Church,
and his wife is identified with the Presbyterian
Church. In politics he is a stalwart Republican,
warmly advocating the principles of that party,
and has frequently served as delegate to its conventions.
He has served as Township Trustee
several limes, and was County Commissioner in
1868 and 1869. He was first elected County
Commissioner of Saline County, but the boundary
line between the two counties being changed
made him a resident of Dickinson County, and he
was elected Commissioner of the latter. He proved
an efficient and faithful officer, discharging his
duties with promptness and fidelity.
The farm belonging to Mr. Hall comprises one
hundred and fifty acres of highly cultivated land,
and he also owns one hundred and sixty acres just
north, which he rents. In his elegant home he
and his family are surrounded by all the comforts
which tend to increase the happiness of life. He
is a strong, vigorous man, energetic and very
enterprising, and his property is a monument
to his thrift and industry. In manner
he is pleasant and genial, and makes friends
wherever he goes. He has the happy faculty of
adjusting himself to places and circumstances, and
his associates find him an agreeable and interesting
companion.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP