Matthew Holland Hall

Matthew Holland Hall Dead.

Died at the residence of his grandson, M. Freeman Hall, Monday, October 31, 1898, at
3:20pm. Matthew Holland Hall, aged 79 years, 4 months and 17 days.

He was born near Collinsville, Madison county, Ill., June 14, 1819, being, with his twin
sister, the first children born to James Hall and his wife, Mary Walker, after their removal
to the territory from Rutherford county, North Carolina.

Mr. Hall was the last surviving member of a large family of pioneers who endured the
hardships and enjoyed the freedom of times the present generation knows little of. In his
boyhood days the red man were familiar neighbors, and hunting, trapping and fishing a
necessary part of each man's labor. He never lost his love for the out-door living his early
life developed, and never spent his days in-doors until the feebleness of age demanded it.
The last labor performed was the care of Beaver Dam Lake Club House and grounds.

His father entered a large tract of land near where Plainview now stands and raised corn,
cotton, flax, wheat and oats after the manner on his plantation in North Carolina. Mr. Hall
loved to talk of the visits of grandfather-"Revolutionary Billy"-who remained on the farm
near Collinsville, and was always an unfailing source of delight to his numerous
descendants. Relatives visited them from the Carolinas, coming on horse back, attended
by their "body servant," also on horseback. Such visits usually were to spend the
summer.

Mr. Hall was one of the early explorers of the Pike's Peak region, then as hard to reach as
the Klondike is now. His habits and life were of the plainest; his wants were few; he was
noted for his honesty and sincerity. He cared nothing for the world at large. Small as was
his circle, he will be missed and sincerely mourned. He received the tenderest care from
his grandsons and their families.

His funeral will be from the residence of M. Freeman Hall, three miles south of the city, at
10 a.m., Wednesday, November 2, 1898. Interment in city cemetery.

Macoupin Enquirer, November 2, 1898.