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HALL joined our Class in September, 1859, and was with us for a part or the whole
of Sophomore year, when he left college, but returned as a special student for the Senior
year course. He was a member of the 'Logian Literary Society and its Senior year
valedictorian; also Class Day orator to the lower classes.
For the rest your Historian gives way to Hall, who in an impersonal form tells the
very creditable story of the only member of our Class who has spent his whole life,
practically, in the environments of his native country town.
Thomas Hoxie Hall was born in Pownal, Vermont, January 19, 1839, being the oldest
child of Wonton Hall and Harriet Angeline (Parker) Hall, and has been a resident of
Pownal, excepting while teaching away and while in Albany. He was partially prepared for
college at Oak Grove Seminary, Pownal, aforesaid, in about two years, having a new teacher
(a student of Williams) nearly every term.
After the graduation of our Class, Hall became principal of Drury Academy, North
Adams, Massachusetts, in 1864; then later of the academy at Warrensburg, New York; and
later still of Oak Grove Seminary, in his native town. In 1872, he commenced the study of
law, and he concluded his period of preparation at the Albany Law School, from whence he
was graduated in 1876, receiving the degree of LL.B. from Union University. In 1873,
Union College and the postgraduate departments, Albany Law School, Albany Medical
College and Dudley Observatory, were incorporated as Union University. Immediately after
graduation, May 18, 1876, he was admitted as attorney and counselor, to practice law in all
the courts of the State of New York, before Hon. William L. Learned, presiding justice, and
since that date has been in the practice of this profession at Pownal.
Hall has been in almost continuous service of his native town in various capacities, as follows:
Chairman of the governing boards of the town's public schools for six years, and
superintendent of public schools for ten years; president of the board of trustees of Oak
Grove Seminary for three years; secretary of Oak Hill Cemetery Association since its
incorporation in 1872, excepting during the time spent in Albany Law School; chairman of
the board of auditors, town grand juror, prosecuting officer and moderator of town
meetings, most of the time since 1870; also county grand juror for ten years. He is a
Democrat, and consequently has never held office, outside of his native town, where politics
enters, as determining factor, into the elections, but when a candidate under such conditions
he has carried his own town by a large majority, though the town is strongly Republican, and
never has been defeated, even once, for a town office. He stands high in the councils of his
party, being a frequent delegate to the county and state conventions, and chairman of county
and state committees; and twice, in 1888 and 1892, a delegate to the national Democratic
conventions. He was postmaster of Pownal during President Cleveland's administrations.
Hall has been Master of Lodge No. 94 of the Patrons of Husbandry, and Worthy
Chief Templar of the Lodge of I. O. G. T.; associate member of Custer Post of G. A. R.,
of Bennington, Vermont; and treasurer of the Masonic Lodge, No. 103, of Pownal. He has
been the Bennington County director of the Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of
Montpelier, Vermont, since 1885.
Our classmate is at the present time engaged in getting up a semi-centennial
celebration of Oak Grove Seminary for September 13, 1903; also, the "History of the Town
of Pownal" from its settlement to date.
And he adds: "I must say, as heretofore, Never married.' I have attended nearly
every Commencement of Williams since 1852; this, in connection with having teachers who
were students there, together with residing so near, has kept me in tough with the dear old
college for more than fifty years. My respect and esteem and love for her and her sons
increase with each passing year, more especially for the members of glorious old '63. And
now, dear classmates, this seemingly egotistical sketch will be closed by my expressing my
best-felt, deep-felt, heart-felt wish for each and every one of you, and may success ever
crown your efforts and happiness never forsake you."
Source:
Class of Sixty-Three Williams College Fortieth Year Report, by
the Class Historian, Thomas Todd Printer, Boston, 1903
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