Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    ALBERT ACTON HALL

    Mr. Hall is president of the Ohio Marble Company and for many years has been actively identified with the business interests that have contributed to the material welfare and prosperity of the state. The name of Hall is known throughout the civilized world, in connection with the manufacture of safes. His grandfather, Edward K. Hall, established the safe and lock business in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and his son, Joseph L. Hall, father of our subject, founded similar enterprise in Cincinnati that year. His business steadily increased in volume and importance until the Hall Safe & Lock Company, of Cincinnati, became a power in the industrial world, and at the time of the death of Joseph L. Hall he was employing twelve hundred men in the manufacture of the products of the foundry. In every country on the face of the globe in which business is carried on along progressive lines the Hall safes are found. The business title is now the Hall Safe Company, and three of the sons of Joseph L. Hall are active factors in its con-duct. This was the pioneer enterprise of the safe business as carried on to-day, and this extensive concern grew to mammoth proportions under the capable management and wise direction of Joseph L. Hall, whose efforts not only brought to him a fortune, but contributed in a large measure to the commercial activity of the state. He married Miss Sarah Jewell, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Clark Jewell, who was formerly of Penns Neck, New Jersey, where the family had lived for generations. The Hall family is also one of long identification with that state, the ancestors having located in Salem, New Jersey, about 1670. It was there that Edward Hall, the grandfather, was born and reared, and from that city he removed to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. For many generations the Halls were connected with the Society of Friends, but the father of our subject became a member of the Methodist church and was one of its most liberal and active supporters.

    Albert Acton Hall, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the public schools of Cincinnati, and at the age of eighteen entered his father's safe works. Notwithstanding he was the son of the president of the company, he served a regular apprenticeship, learning the locksmith's business in all its details. As he mastered the duties entrusted to him he worked his way steadily upward, and in the office has filled every position from that of shipping clerk upward. He spent one year in New York, as assistant manager of the branch located there, and afterward was for four years manager of the branch house in San Francisco. In 1884 the Ohio Marble Company began operation in Piqua and Mr. Hall was induced to become a stockholder. In 1896 he accepted the presidency and assumed the management of the business, removing to Piqua, where he has since made his home. During the four years which have since passed under his able guidance the enterprise has developed rapidly, its output more than doubling in that time. The company owns quarries in this locality, from which they procure a high grade of limestone that takes a fine polish. It is found near the surface, an unusual occurrence, and therefore largely lessens the cost of taking the stone from the earth. It is milled into flour and about two million pounds per month are shipped to the paint and putty trade, the mineral and soda water trade, to paper manufactories and to asphalt pavement works all over the United states. The company sustains a very high reputation for reliability, and that it faithfully lives up to the terms of its contracts is shown by its constantly increasing trade.

    Mr. Hall is a man of resourceful business ability, whose efforts have been in no wise confined to one line. He is now manager of the Piqua Paint & Putty Company, manufacturers of all kinds of high grade paint, house paint, ready mixed and coach and carriage paint. This business was established in 1896, and in the short time which has since elapsed their paints have been introduced into twenty of the forty-five states and have attained a high standing for their excellence. The output has increased rapidly at a high ratio, and the volume of the business now demands that many men be employed in carrying on the work.

    Mr. Hall was married to Miss Mary Foulds, a daughter of Thomas H. Foulds, who served as postmaster at Cincinnati under President Grant. Socially Mr. Hall is connected with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the Scottish rite and Mystic Shrine degrees. Through many decades his family have been connected with the Whig and afterward the Republican party, and he is of the same political faith. His time, however, has been given to his business interests without seeking for official reward in return for the unswerving advocacy which he has for the Republican tenets. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has ever conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity. His devotion to the public good is unquestioned and arises from a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow men.

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