My Genealogy Hound

Marshall Hume Hall. History is the preserved record of events—as biography is the personal record of those who have been actively concerned in the molding and action of the events from which history is made. A publication of this nature exercises its most important function when it takes cognizance of the life and labors of those citizens who have been of material value in the advancement and development of a community. Mr. Hall is well and favorably known to the citizens of Posey county through his service as a public official, which is attested through his election in 1912 to the office of sheriff by the largest majority ever received by a candidate for that position. Marshall Hume Hall is a native of Posey county and was born on his father’s farm in Black township December 16, 1859. His father was John T. Hall, a native of North Carolina, who settled in Black township about 1830, where he took up land and engaged in farming, an occupation which he followed until his death, which occurred on April 7, 1869. He was a man of strong religious convictions, served as clerk of the Baptist church at Farmersville for over twenty-five years, and became an influential citizen of his county. He married, when a young man, Lavina, a daughter of John Bradley, of Black township, and granddaughter of Cornelius Bradley, one of the early pioneers of Posey county. Cornelius Bradley was a native of Ireland who came to the Virginia colony previous to the War of the Revolution, in which he served until its close. The Posey county records show that he drew a pension for his services during the struggle of the colonists for independence. He took up land and was engaged in farming in Black township until his death, which occurred in 1840. His daughter, Lavina, and her husband, John T. Hall, were the parents of six children, of whom but two are living at this writing, 1913: Mary E. Whipple, widow of Marion Whipple, residing in Black township, and Marshall Hume Hall, the subject of this review. Those deceased are Medora, who married Polk Dowen; Lawrence T.; Edward B. and William J. The latter married Emily Dunn. She is a resident of Mt. Vernon. Marshall Hume Hall was called upon to earn his living at the age of ten; his father having died in 1869 and his mother when he was aged three. His education was acquired in the country schools during such time as the earning of a livelihood would permit. He was employed as a boy in doing odd jobs and later engaged in farming. In 1886 he entered the employ of A. Wassem & Company, lumber manufacturers of Mt. Vernon, and remained with this firm until 1893, when he was appointed custodian of the Posey county court house. He was made a deputy sheriff in 1901, and served in this capacity under Sheriffs James F. McFaddin, Alonzo K. Grant and Joseph M. Causey. Recognition of efficient service was given him in 1912, when he was made the nominee of the Democratic party for the office of sheriff and his election by a greatly increased majority over previous incumbents of the office attests to his qualifications for the position and his popularity in the county of his birth. It is certain that his administration of the office of sheriff will meet the approval of the citizenship of Posey county, as has his service in the past. He is a member of the Mt. Vernon Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Court of Honor and of the Methodist church. Mr. Hall married on February 20, 1884, Ruth, the daughter of John and Ellen Russell, of Black township. Mr. Russell was a native of England, became a resident of Posey county in 1850, where he was a successful farmer and well and favorably known. Mr. Russell died in 1872. His widow is a resident of Black township and has reached the ripe age of eighty-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are the parents of three children: John W., born December 4, 1884, a merchant tailor of Mt. Vernon; Ina B., born July 31, 1889, employed as cashier by Stinson Brothers, Mt. Vernon, and Orran R., born February 9, 1900.