Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 532

O. P. HALL was for many years engaged in general farming and stock raising in Sangamon county, and his labors demonstrated the excellent opportunities here afforded to the agriculturist by reason of the fertility of the soil. His intense and well-directed efforts brought him success that enabled him to surround his family with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, and his was one of the fine country homes of central Illinois. Mr. Hall was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, March 11, 1832, a son of Benjamin L. and Eveline (Pickrell) Hall, whose family numbered eleven children, all born in this county with the exception of O. P. Hall, who was brought to what is now Mechanicsburg by is parents in September, 1833, being at that time only about a year old. Pioneer conditions existed in the county and he was reared amid typical scenes of frontier life. He assisted in the arduous labors of developing a new farm and the work of tilling the soil claimed his attention throughout his entire business career, and was so capably directed by sound judgment that he accumulated extensive landed possessions. On the 20th of January, 1855, Mr. Hall was married in Sangamon county to Miss Susan M. Short, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, October 14, 1833, and came to Sangamon county with her parents in 1846. There were six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall, of whom five are living: William L., Lewis B., J. Leslie, Rena and Oscar E. The other child died in early youth. Mr. Hall became the owner of a large farm in Mechanicsburg township, and besides being engaged in general farming he was also extensively engaged in stock-raising. At his elegant home, surrounded by his family, he resided until his death, which occurred March 17, 1891, and the salient features of his career and the strong traits of his character made him of the most highly respected citizens of Mechanicsburg township. He sought not to figure in any public capacity, but made for himself an enviable position in the public regard by reason of his fidelity to every duty that awaited him.