Thomas Spencer Hall

       THOMAS S. HALL.
  Thomas S. Hall died March 25th,
1898, at Los Angeles, California, where
he had resided since 1873. He was the
youngest son of Erastus Hall and Eliza-
beth Jackson Hall, the first settlers in
that part of the town of Norfolk, known
as Raymondville. Mr. Hall was born
Aug. 20, 1826, and was educated in the
common schools of the town, St. Law-
rence Academy, Potsdam, Burlington,
Vt., and Yale College. Upon leaving
school he read law with Bishop Perkins
at Ogdensburg. He then went to Cali-
fornia in 1852, returning just before the
civil war. In October, 1861, he enlisted
in Co. E, 92d Regiment, New York State
Infantry Volunteers. In January, 1862,
he was commissioned captain of the
company and later made major of the
regiment, serving in that office through
the Peninsula campaign under Gen.
McClelland, where he saw much active
service in the many engagements that
were had between Newport News and
Harrison's Landing, in the memorable
summer of 1862. Mr. Hall's regiment
was then transferred to Southern Vir-
ginia and North Carolina service, where
in August, 1863, Major Hall was com-
missioned colonel for the regiment, hold-
ing that office until the close of the war,
receiving an honorable discharge. As
a soldier and officer Mr. Hall gained an
enviable reputation for the thoughtful
care of his men, and his vigor, coolness
and bravery in action. At the memor-
able battle of Fair Oaks, Col. Hall's
regiment was called upon to perform
such active work that 47 per cent. of
the regioment were reported killed or
wounded. Upon his return from the
war he engaged in business in Ray-
mondville. Disposing of his property
there he removed to San Fransisco,
California, in 1873. He was appointed
internal revenue inspector and settled
at Los Angeles. At Los Angeles he en-
gaged in fruit raising, having a fine
ranch about eight miles out from the
city, where he spent much of his time.
Upon his return from California, be-
fore the war, Mr. Hall marries Miss
Kate Dearborn, of Waddington. Four
children were born to them, three sons
and one daughter, one son dying at
Raymondville and the daughter at Los
Angeles. The two remaining sons now
live upon the ranch which has been un-
der their care for some years. Mrs.
Hall died at Los Angeles, February,
1884. Mr. Hall was the youngest of a
family of six brothers : Charles, who
died at Raymondville at the age of 21,
in 1828 ; Giles J., who resides at Nor-
wood ; Hezekiah B., who died at Nor-
wood, Nov. 16, 1895 ; Anson S. Hall,
now living at Raymondville, and Abel
A. Hall, who died at Norwood, Oct. 10,
1885.