Three times the guns roared forth in the bright air and the mournful notes of "Taps" echoed from the hillsides as The American Legion's ritual was ended and the last mortal remains of another Civil War Veteran was consigned to the grave Monday afternoon in Maple Hill Cemetery. John W. Hall, for many years one of Clarke County's most influential citizens, has gone to his rest. Another name has been crossed off the list of those boys of '65; another of those sterling pioneer citizens has been called. On the fingers on one hand can be counted those old soldiers remaining, and the real pioneers of the county are almost as few.
John Hall was for many years recognized as one of the leading contractors of public buildings in Iowa. Nearly every one knew that he was the contractor of the court house here but few were acquainted with the fact that he was connected with the construction of every church in the city and that he built the Glenwood home for the feeble minded children. More than fifty creameries were built by him in this state.
With his parents, Warren and Cynthia Hall, he moved to Clarke County from the place of his birth, Whitehall, Indiana in 1860. He was engaged in the carpenter and contracting business there for a time and in the early days of the war enlisted in Co. K of the 7th Missouri Cavalry. In 1868 he was married to Sarah A. Scott. They moved to Osceola where he embarked on his career as a contractor. Later he served two terms as county treasurer and for twelve years was state oil inspector. He also engaged in a number of other enterprises in the city.
He was a member of the I.O.O.F. and a charter member of the Knights of Pythias.
Of recent years he has lived quietly in retirement here. Enjoying his friends and neighbors in the satisfaction that comes from a life well lived. During the past few months his health has been failing rapidly as can be expected for one who is nearing 91 years. A few days ago he took to his bed and on December 22, just five days before his 91st birthday, he quietly passed on.
Among those who are left are, the good wife Mrs. Sarah A. Hall of Osceola, two sons, Edgar C. Hall of Sabetha, Kansas, and Frank D. Hall of Osceola; three daughters; Mrs. Hattie M. Tarlton of Osceola, Mrs. Nina L. Foster of Des Moines, and Mrs. Ethel Tillotson of Osceola. One daughter, Jessie, passed away at the age of seven years. There are seven grand children living and 11 great grand children; also one brother, Samuel Hall of Auburn, Washington, and many other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were conducted from the Webster Funeral Home, Monday, December 26, by Rev. R. Underwood, Pastor of the Methodist Protestant Church, assisted by Rev. F. C. McCallon, pastor of the Christian Church and a squad of the American Legion Post and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Osceola. Internment was made in Maple Hill Cemetery.
– Published in The Osceola Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Thursday, December 29, 1932, p. 1, columns 6 & 7
