Biography

04/03/1839 - 10/07/1889

John Geary Hall (D38) Cameron, Clarion, Elk, and Forest Counties 1879-1886

Early Life:

John Geary Hall born April 3, 1839, Hublersburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania; son of Benjamin McDowell and Susannah Geary Hall; common school education; Bellefonte Academy; Lewisburg Academy; read law under United States Senator William A. Wallace, Clearfield, Pennsylvania; admitted,  bar, 1861; attorney, 1861-1889; moved, Ridgway Elk County, Pennsylvania, 1864; married, Eliza Hyde, 1865, daughter, Susan Esther Hall; chair, Elk County Democratic Committee; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1870-1871; elected, delegate, Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, 1872-1873; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1879-1886; counsel, Pennsylvania Railroad; counsel, New York Railroad; counsel, Lake Erie and Western Railroad; counsel, Rochester and Pittsburg Railroad; counsel, Union Oil Company; director, Ridgway Light and Heat Company; died, October 7, 1889 Liverpool, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, Merseyside, England; interment, Pine Grove Cemetery, Ridgway, Elk County, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Chair, Elk County Democratic Committee.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1870-1871.

Elected, delegate, Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, 1872-1873.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 38th district, Cameron, Clarion, Elk, and Forest Counties, 1879-1886; committee assignments, Congressional Apportionment Finance, Judiciary (General), Judiciary (Special), Legislative Apportionment.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Biography:

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website (state.pa.us)

Legacy:

Wife, Eliza Hyde, sister of Pennsylvania State Senator William H. Hyde. 

Brother, James Knox Polk Hall, Pennsylvania State Senate, 38th district, Cameron, Clarion, Elk and Forest Counties, 1903-1906, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 26th district Cameron, Clarion, Clinton, Elk, Forest Counties, 1907-1914. 

James Knox Polk Hall  - Pennsylvania Senate Library (pasen.gov) 

Brother, Harry Alvan Hall, Pennsylvania State Senate, 38th district, Cameron, Clarion, Elk and Forest Counties, 1891-1893.

Harry Alvan Hall  - Pennsylvania Senate Library (pasen.gov)

Brother-in-law, William H. Hyde, Pennsylvania State Senate, 38th district, Cameron, Clarion, Elk and Forest Counties, 1893-1893; replaced, Harry Alvan Hall. 

William H Hyde  - Pennsylvania Senate Library (pasen.gov)

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members H". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Smull’s Legislative Handbook, (1885). Smull, W.P., (Editor) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 844, 849-851, Biographical Sketches of Senators, page 809.

John Geary Hall (1839-1889) - Find a Grave Memorial