Thomas M. HALL, an old and honored pioneer of Ringgold County, was born in Iradel County, North Carolina, September 8, 1828, a son of Stuart and Rebecca HALL. When he was three years of age he was taken by his parents to Jackson County, Indiana, and there he grew to manhood. His youth was spent in working on the home farm, and in his spare time he attended the district schools, where he received by the rudiments of an education. In 1853 he was married to Mary Ann GUTHRIE, a daughter of Samuel and Thirza GUTHRIE, and to this union were born five children - Mrs. Theadocia MORRILL, of Redding, Ringgold County; Samuel S., living in Benton Township; Theora Ann, deceased wife of I. N. LONG; Thirza Ann, deceased; Rebecca J., wife of Thomas J. JONES, of Benton Township. Mrs. HALL died February 7, 1868, and Mr. HALL was again married, September 28, 1871, to Miss Mary E. GOLLIDAY, a native of Indiana. [They were the parents of four children, two dying in infancy.] When an infant she was taken by her parents, John and Dicy GOLLIDAY, to Green County, Wisconsin, where she was reared. Her parents subsequently settled in Taylor County, Iowa, where her father died. Her mother is still a resident of that county. To the second union were born four children, of whom two only are living - Jessie and Dicy May. John T. and Nina both died at the age of one year.

But a few families lived within the limits of Ringgold County when Mr. HALL came, he having settled on his present farm, on section 6, Rice Township, in November, 1855, and he has witnessed the growth and development of the county, and noted the changes year-by-year with great interest. Although he has met with severe reverses, mainly by lending his name to secure onther ment's indebtedness, he has still a good, comfortable home and sufficient means to keep his family in comfortable circumstances. He is a man much respected throughout the county, and his many manly qualities have endeared him to all who know him. He is a member of the Christian church. Mrs. HALL is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

NOTE: Thomas M. HALL died at the age of 84 years, 3 months and 21 days on December 29, 1912. Mary Ann (GUTHRIE) HALL died at the age of 31 years, 4 months and 10 days. Mary E. (GOLLIDAY) HALL died at the age of 49 years, 4 months and 4 days on April 10, 1893. John T., son of Thomas and Mary E. HALL, was born December 1, 1879, and died July 9, 1880. Nina "Minnie", daughter of Thomas and Mary E. HALL, died at the age of 8 months and 14 days on May 26, 1880. They were interred at Marshalltown Cemetery near Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Theora A. (HALL) LONG, wife of I. N. and sister of Thomas M. HALL, died at the age of 23 years, 10 months and one day on September 11, 1883/ Rebecca (HALL) JONES, first wife of Thomas J., died at the age of 30 years, 5 months and 3 days. Theora and Rebecca were interred at Marshalltown Cemetery near Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 260, 1887.

LESAN, Mrs. B. M. Early History of Ringgold County: 1844 - 1937 Pp. 22-23. Blair Pub. House. Lamoni IA. 1937.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009; updated June of 2010

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z