Howard J. Hall, an enterprising and representative young citizen of Ilion, is successfully engaged in the drug business as proprietor of the H. J. Hall Pharmacy at No. 46 Otsego street. He was born in South Schroon, Essex county, New York, on the 29th of December, 1889, his parents being William J. and Mary A. (Stanard) Hall. His paternal grandparents, William H. and Jane A. (Hines) Hall, were born in the vicinity of South Schroon and were residents of that place when called to their final rest. The grandfather was an agriculturist by occupation. His son, William J. Hall, the father of Howard J. Hall, was a native of South Schroon, New York, and departed this life at Ilion, New York, on the 17th of March, 1919. Throughout the period of his active business career he devoted his attention to contracting and building. His widow, who was also born at South Schroon, this state, still makes her home in Ilion, where she is well known and highly esteemed. Her father, Chauncey Stanard, came to the Empire state from Vermont and took up his abode in South Schroon. He was a farmer by occupation but also devoted considerable attention to carpentering and building. William J. and Mary A. (Stanard) Hall became the parents of three children, namely: Howard J., of this review; Cecil, who died at the age of four years; and Ethel, the wife of Le Roy Brown, who is associated with the Glens Falls Tire & Rubber Company of Glens Falls, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Le Roy Brown are the parents of four children: Howard, Lester, Vernon and Russell.
Howard J. Hall, whose name introduces this article, completed a high school course at Schroon Lake by graduation with the class of 1910 and afterward entered the Albany College of Pharmacy, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Ph. G. in 1913. He then came to Ilion and secured a position as prescription clerk in the B. A. Russell Pharmacy, and he was thus employed until the fall of 1919. At that time, in association with J. V. Downs, he purchased the drug store of B. H. Bentley and began business under the firm style of Downs & Hall. In the fall of 1921, following the death of his partner, Mr. Hall became sole proprietor of the establishment, which he has since conducted as the H. J. Hall Pharmacy. He carries a large line of drugs and druggists' sundries and conducts a well appointed store which is liberally patronized.
On the 6th of September, 1919, at Ilion, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Lewis, daughter of V. C. and Lillian Lewis. V. C. Lewis conducts the Ilion Lumber Company and Marshall Lewis of Ilion, a brother of Mrs. Hall, is identified with the same company. He wedded Miss Margaret Conrad, daughter of the Rev. Mr. Conrad, formerly of Ilion, and to them has been born one child, Marion. Mrs. Hall was graduated from the Ilion high school as a member of the class of 1914 and then took up the profession of teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have one son: Eugene Lewis Hall, who was born in Ilion on the 3d of May, 1921.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Hall has supported the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. Fraternally he is identified with Ilion Lodge No. 591, F. & A. M., and with Ilion Lodge No. 1444, B. P. O. E., while his wife has membership in the Eastern Star at Ilion. Mr. Hall is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Exchange Club of Ilion. During the period of the World war he did effective work on one of the teams engaged in the Red Cross drive. Fishing is his favorite form of recreation. Upright and honorable motives have actuated him in every relation of life, and his genuine personal worth has attracted to him a large circle of warm friends.