Hall, Myron V.

Born: 1811-XX-XX New York

Died: 1881-06-19 Chicago, Illinois

Myron V. Hall was a newspaper publisher and editor, postmaster, town leader, merchant, banker, clerk, Whig, and, later, a Republican. Beginning in 1846, he published a semi-weekly paper called the Aurora Beacon in partnership with his brother, Benjamin F. Hall. After he became sole proprietor, the paper became a Whig organ, and, when he became a Republican, the paper followed. He also operated a mercantile business in Aurora, Illinois with his brother, and, around 1847, the siblings expanded into banking. In 1849, Myron received appointment as postmaster for Aurora, a position he held until 1853. By 1852, he and his brother were successful enough at banking that they invested in it more extensively, opening the Bank of Aurora, then an additional branch in Illinois, and then two branches in Wisconsin. Myron sold the Aurora Beacon in 1854—the same year he was elected president of the village of West Aurora, Illinois. He was re-elected to this position in 1855 and served until 1856. In 1858, the citizens of Aurora elected him town supervisor, and he also served as a delegate to the Republican State Convention. By 1860, he had grown wealthy by his efforts, owning a personal estate valued at $15,000 and another $25,000 in real estate. After his brother's tragic death and a financial recession in November of that year, however, he was forced to close his banking venture. He left Aurora soon after and never returned.

The Past and Present of Kane County, Illinois (Chicago: Wm. Le Baron, Jr., 1878), 294, 737-38; R. Waite Joslyn and Frank W. Joslyn, History of Kane County, Ill. (Chicago: Pioneer, 1908), 1:548, 559; Commemorative Biographical and Historical Record of Kane County, Illinois (Chicago: Beers and Leggett, 1888), 948; Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971, NARA Microfilm Publication, M841, 145 rolls, Records of the Post Office Department, RG 28, 1845-1855, 18:96, National Archives Building, Washington, DC; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1851 (Washington, DC: Gideon, 1851), *523; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1853 (Washington, DC: Robert Armstrong, 1853), *496; Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 17 June 1858, 2:3; U.S. Census Office, Eighth Census of the United States (1860), Aurora, Kane County, IL, 255; Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916, Cook County, 19 June 1881, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL.