GOODSPEED BIOGRAPHIES
Contributed by Charlene Holland
Hon. JAMES P. HALL
Hon. James P. Hall is one of the well-known farmers of this region, in connection with which work he operates a good cotton gin, of which he is the owner. He was born in Tennessee on November 11, I839, a son of Alex F. and Sarah S. (Foster) Hall, who were also born in Tennessee. Although his opportunities for acquiring an education were poor, James P., by self-application, became a well-informed young man and in the conduct and management of his farm has always the best of judgment. After starting out in life for himself at the age of eighteen years, he worked for wages for four years, then enlisted in Company C, Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry, and for four years served in the Confederate Army. He took an active part in the battles of Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold Gap, Chickamauga, the campaign through Georgia, Jonesboro and at Pulaski, Tenn., where he was taken prisoner and finally discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio in May, 1865. He then returned to his home in Arkansas, where he moved in 1859, and during a short residence in Booneville, Logan County, Ark, he was engaged in the mercantile business. At the end of five years he sold out and moved to this township, where he engaged in farming, $200 in debt, as his business venture in Booneville had proven a failure. He began improving the land, for which he went in debt, and now has an excellent tract of land, comprising 300 acres, on which is a good house and barn, an excellent cotton-gin, considerable stock and a good orchard. He and his wife, whom he married in February, l867, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is steward and trustee. His wife, formerly Miss Louisa P. Bailey was born in Georgia, and has borne her husband seven children-two sons and five daughters. Mr. Hall is a Mason and a liberal supporter of public enterprises. In September 1880, he was elected to the State Senate, serving four years, and he has also been justice of the peace for several years. He is a highly esteemed resident of this county, and is in every respect a model citizen.