John W. Hall, though still comparatively a young man, has become well known in agricultural circles, and is recognized as a careful, energetic farmer, who by his advanced views and progressive habits has done much to improve the farming interests of his section. He was born in Limestone County, Ala., in 1852, and was the only child born to J. H. and Martha A. (Burt) Hall, who were also from that county, the father being one of its progressive agriculturists. In 1856 they emigrated to Poinsett County, Ark., and the father's career has been a somewhat checkered one, as he has been engaged in a number of different occupations, and has resided in several different States. After being engaged in land speculations in this county until 1864, he went to Memphis, Tenn., and, although he conducted a farm near there, he made his home in the city. Leaving there in 1868, he removed to Omaha, Neb., where he worked at the carpenter's trade, but shortly after returned to Poinsett County, and opened a farm of 100 acres, on which his son, John W., is now residing. In 1878 he gave up active farm work and removed to the town of Harrisburg, where, two years later, he was elected to the office of county sheriff. In 1889, when the much-talked-of Oklahoma lands were thrown open to the settlers, Mr. Hall removed there, and is now keeping a hotel. His wife died March 12, 1888. John W. Hall received a good education in the city of Memphis, but did not engage in farming until the age of eighteen years. He then settled on a woodland farm, which he commenced immediately to improve, and now has 363 acres, with 225 under cultivation, and also operates a horse cotton-gin. He always votes the Democratic ticket, but is not an active politician. He is a member of Lodge No. 184, of the A. F. & A. M., at Harrisburg, and in this order also belongs to the Chapter, No. 76. He was made a Mason on his twenty-first birthday. He also belongs to Lodge No. 77 of the I. O. O. F. He was married in Cross County, November 24, 1887, to Miss Mamie S. Meacham, a native of Mississippi, and a daughter of John and Minta (Pennell) Meacham, who were also born in that State, but removed to Poinsett County, in 1878, where the father died in 1885. The mother is now residing near Bay Village. Mr. Hall and his father have opened up several farms, which they have sold at a good profit, and he (as well as his father) owns a claim in Oklahoma. The latter enlisted in Capt. Benjamin Harris' company of infantry, of the Thirteenth Arkansas Regiment, in 1861, becoming first lieutenant of this company. He participated in the battles of Belmont and Shiloh, but returned home after his term of enlistment had expired, at the end of one year. Our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.