John A. Hall

HALL, BREWER, GRUVER, WILLET

Posted By: Connie Street, volunteer
Date: 10/22/2004 at 23:30:49

Obituary Of John A. Hall

John Asbury Hall, son of Wesley and Nancy Hall, was born in Elm Grove Twp., Louisa County, Iowa, Jan. 18, 1856, and departed this life at the home of his son, Floyd, on the old home farm, Feb. 19. 1927, aged 71 years, one month, one day. His entire life with the exception of the last four years was spent in the Spring Run community.

On January 18,1877, he was united in marriage with Emma Brewer. To this union were born five sons, Jacob of Winfield Albert, Lewis and Floyd of the Spring Run community, and Robert of Princeton, Ill., and one daughter, Mrs. Muriel Gruver, of near Winfield.

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Forty years ago Mr. and Mrs. Hall and their children moved to the farm which they have since called home. Here they lived and labored together and the children grew to maturity and established homes of their own. Four years ago Mr. and Mrs. Hall retired from the farm to Winfield, where two years ago Mr. HaIl suffered a paralytic stroke from which he never fully recovered. For the last two months he had been confined to his bed gradually failing in strength. The first of February he was brought to the old home where he gradually became weaker and weaker until on the morning of February 19, two years to the day after he had suffered the stroke, he quietly slipped out from this earthly life in-to the better land.

As a young man he was converted and united with the Spring Run Evangelical church of which, he has been a faithful member ever since. After their removal to Winfield, Mr. and Mrs. Hall attended the Methodist church at that place, though still retaining their membership in the Spring Run church.

Mr. Hall was devoted to his family, and it was a source of great satisfaction to him that all of his children were able to be with him during the closing days of his life. He was faithful to the Lord and to the church. Although he did not fill the prominent places in the work of the church that many another has been called to fill, he was always interested in the work and gave evidence of his devotion and sincerity. He greatly enjoyed the fellowship of church people. During his affliction he was unable to frequently attend services of the church, but he was always glad to have the children, grandchildren and others come in and sing the old familiar gospel songs and pray with him. When able he joined in the singing with them. "Near the Cross'" and "Jewels" were especially favorites of his and he frequently called for them to be sung.
He impressed others with his high ideals and sterling integrity. His memory will be cherished by the many neighbors and friends of the community in whose activities he shared a part for so many years.

He is survived by his sorrowing companion, one brother Jasper, and one sister, Mrs. Lucy Willet; both of Columbus City, five sons and one daughter, eight grandchildren, one adopted grandchild, and many more distant relatives and friends.

The funeral service was held in the Spring Run church, Monday morning at 10:30, and was conducted by the pastor, Rev. G. H. Bamford, assisted by Rev. P. M. Conant, pastor of the Winfield M. E. Church. Beautiful and appropriate music was furnished by a quartet from Winfield: W. L. Grupe, J.G. Coonrod, D. E. Bridges, and Prof. Minear, Mrs. Grupe at the piano. Interment was made in the Columbus City cemetery.

Mr. Hall was one of those kindly men who made friends and held them throughout his life. He was a neighbor whom all liked and admired, setting an example of truth and worth and self sacrifice. By his kindly and Christian life, he carefully molded the lives of his children, and closed his eyes to earthly things fully realizing that he had offered to the world a family of estimable sons and daughters. Devoted children is proof that a father has done the right things for them and these who cherish his memory forever. Though his afflict-ion kept him from making the ac-quaintance of all our townspeople, they were nevertheless greatly interested in his wellbeing, and thru the frequent inquiries of his health, just naturally knew him.

His passing is a distinct loss to the community, and while the burden of sorrow rests heaviest upon those who were near to him, they can be comforted with the knowledge that he was a good man, a Christian man, and has left some-thing as a heritage that only character can acquire.

From the collection of Arnold Cutcomp. Newspaper and date unknown.