 |
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
James Hall
Amber Jansen James Hall was born in Philadelphia in 1793. He was a well-liked, educated man, and was brought up in a family whose connection to literature was enormous. Before leaving Pennsylvania around 1820, Hall already had published many works. On his way to Illinois, Hall traveled along the Ohio River and eventually settled on the Illinois frontier at Shawneetown. Hall wrote about what he saw around him: "On each side rise the romantic hills, piled on each other to a tremendous height; and between them, are deep abrupt, silent glens, which at a distance seem inaccessible to human foot. . ." The frontier aroused Hall's curiosity and brought him to Illinois to practice law in Shawneetown. In 1824 the Illinois Legislature elected Hall judge of the Fourth Circuit. He continued in that position until 1827 when the Legislature abolished the five judgeships. However, he was known as "Judge Hall" for the rest of his life. It was not long after arriving in Shawneetown that Hall became editor of the Illinois Gazette. At the time, it was the only newspaper in Shawneetown, However, it was not until he moved to Vandalia, the capital of Illinois, that he did his best writing.
Shawneetown was important, not only because it was used as the port of entry in Illinois, but was also known as the first banking center in the Illinois territory. Another important historic event in Shawneetown's history was General Lafayette's visit in May 1825. A major general of the United States Army, General Lafayette was commemorated for his military flair at the Battle of Brandywine, his brilliant maneuvering at Yorktown, and general support of the American fight for independence from Britain. The residents of Shawneetown felt honored when General Lafayette chose their town to visit as part of his fifteen-month tour through America. Being the talented speaker he was, Hall received the privilege of welcoming the general. "We enjoy the fruits of your courage, the lessons of your example. We are descendants of those who fought by your side—we have imbibed their love of freedom—we inherit their affection for Lafayette." Hall's ability as a judge and writer procured him a memorable place in the community of Shawneetown. There was no doubt that James Hall left his mark on the frontier village. In 1825 Hall moved his family to Vandalia, Illinois, after he was elected state treasurer. It was in Vandalia that he was able to broaden his literary career. In 1830 Judge Hall published a magazine entitled the Illinois Monthly Magazine. It was written almost entirely by Hall. He thought the magazine would encourage all Americans to read. The existence of the Illinois Monthly Magazine was owed to Hall's Pennsylvania background, or perhaps the effect of his wide reading and general knowledge. Hall's loyalty to his country and strong belief in literature motivated him. Twenty-four issues of this magazine were published. They included "... fiction, poetry, book reviews, articles on education, Indian relations, affairs of state government, town histories, and information about the region." Some of the issues Hall discussed in his magazine were the general lack of teachers, and political and educational leaders in the state. In September 1832 the exhausted editor published his last piece. He was proud for completing this complicated task for two years. Few can deny that it was the best magazine on the frontier. Frontiersmen who had much time on their hands often told stories around their camp sites. Hall thought these stories were worth recording. After Letters from the West and Western Souvenir were published, Hall in some eyes became known as the best American writer. Hall died in 1868. He had contributed much to the Illinois frontier, as a lawyer, judge, and head of the historical society.—[From Mary Burtschi, James Hall of Lincoln's Frontier World; James Hall, Seven Stories; Pierre L. Horn, Marquis de Lafayette.] ILLINOIS HISTORY / DECEMBER 2000 7 |
|
|
