Hall, Orlando D.

HALL, DEARDORFF, SHULER, WOODLEY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 6/16/2010 at 09:00:04

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
Publ. 1911
Page 39-41

ORLANDO D. HALL

Orlando D. Hall is well known as the owner of the Maple Lawn Farm, located on section 3, Scott township, Poweshiek county, and his popularity among his fellow townsmen has been proven by the fact that in 1906, although living in a republican stronghold, he was elected on the democratic ticket to the office of county supervisor. He is a native of Berrien county, Michigan, his birth having occurred May 4, 1852. His parents were George and Katharine (Deardorff) Hall, the former born in Butler county, Ohio, in February, 1826, while the latter claims Indiana as the state of her nativity. The father removed to Michigan from Ohio with his parents when he was a lad of ten years but after one year the family returned to Ohio and there the grandfather passed away. The father of our subject, however, remained in Berrien county, Michigan, until 1865, when he removed with his family to Poweshiek county, Iowa, and engaged in farming. He was a prosperous man and became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich farming land. He died here on the 12th of January, 1898, at the age of seventy-two years. The mother, however, still survives and makes her home in Brooklyn. Their family numbered seven children, namely: Orlando D., of this review; Curtis, a resident of Madison county, Iowa; Eldon L., of Scott township, who is mentiond elsewhere in this volume; Cass L., of Brooklyn; Charles H., who is also mentioned in this work; Myrtle, of Brooklyn; and Guy O., who make his home in Malcom.

O.D. Hall was reared in the state of his nativity to the age of thirteen years, at which time he accompanied his parents on their removal to Poweshiek county, the family home being established on a farm in Bear Creek township, just across the road from the present home of our subject. At that time much of the land was unbroken prairie and the homes of the settlers were widely scattered. He assisted his father in breaking new land and making a home and his experience then proved of value to him when making a home for himself. He remained with his father until 1875, when he was married to Miss Savilla Shuler, who was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1856, a daughter of George and Sarah (Woodley) Shuler. The father died in the Keystone state in 1868, after which the daughter accompanied her mother to Poweshiek county in 1874. The mother passed away here on the 27th of February, 1895.

Following his marriage Mr. Hall located on his farm of two hundred acres on section 3, Scott township, which at that time was unbroken prairie. He at once set to work to break the land and cultivate his fields and as time passed he gathered rich harvests as a reward for the labor which he bestowed upon it. He also made all the improvements on the place, building a good substantial residence and outbuildings, all of which work was done with his own hands with the exception of some help he received in the construction of the house. His place is now known as the Maple Lawn Farm and is one of the most beautiful, as well as productive tracts, in this section of the county. He gives his time to general farming and stock-raising and also does some feeding. He follows modern methods in carrying on his work and his success is well merited for it has come to him through his own well directed labors and sound business judgment.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hall has been blessed with eight children: Sherman, of Scott township; Carrie, the wife of B.F. Kensinger, of Bear Creek township; Homer, who makes his home in Huron, South Dakota; Glenn, who is attending school in Davenport, Iowa; Kathryn, the wife of Glenn Crider, of Bear Creek township; and Fred, Clyde and Helen, all at home.

Mr. Hall has been a lifelong democrat and on that ticket in 1906 was elected as county supervisor, his term of service beginning on the 1st of January, 1907, and he was the first democrat to hold that position in the county, this being a republican stronghold. He was elected for a second term, polling all but thirteen out of the one hundred and fifty-six votes cast in Scott township. He has also filled the office of justice of the peace and has served in other minor offices of the township. He is a popular official and ever discharges his duties with the same fidelity that he conducts his private business affairs. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, and he and his family attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church. Having resided in Poweshiek county for forty-six years, Mr. Hall feels a deep interest in its welfare and is ever found ready to do what he can to advance its interests while at the same time he is meeting with success in the conduct of his own business affairs.