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JOHN A. WALL, ex-Postmaster of Mt. Vernon and one of the highly respected citizens of Jefferson County, was born in Saline County, ILL., September 12, 1836, and is a son of Charles Wall, a native of Tennessee. The grandfather, Henry Wall, was a native of Virginia, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. The father died in Bond County, ILL., in 1854, and the mother of our subject passed away in Saline County in 1891. She bore the maiden name of Priscilla Haskins and was a native of Kentucky. The subject of this record is the only surviving member of a family of six children, the others having died when young. In 1842, when six years of age, he came to Mt. Vernon, and in 1851 he began earning his own livelihood by work at the printer's trade in the office of the Jeffersonian. In 1856, when twenty years of age, he established the Sentinel of Mt. Vernon, and was engaged in the newspaper business from that time on until the breaking out of the Civil War. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry; was made Orderly-Sergeant, and under Generals Fremont and Sigel took part in the Missouri campaign. After participating in the battle of Pea Ridge, Ark., he joined the Army of the Tennessee, and later was in the Army of the Cumberland. He took part in the battles of Perryville and Stone River, and in the latter was wounded in the left shoulder. He was captured and tin-own into Libby Prison, where he was held for four months. He was then parolled and soon afterward came home. In February, 1859, Mr. Wall was united in marriage with Miss Millie Watson, sister of Capt. S. H. Watson, and to them were born four children, two sons and two daughters: Angus Grant, who is the telegraphic editor of the Evening Telegraph of Springfield, ILL.; Albert, who is foreman on the Palladium of Pana, ILL.; Emma, the wife of John Belleville, a railroad man living in Princeton, Ind.; and Bessie, at home. On his return from the war, Mr. Wall established the Unconditional Unionist, which paper he published until 1866. He was thence engaged in the newspaper business in Salem until 1867, when he was elected Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives, serving two years. He was then made Sergeant-at-Arms of the, Senate, and filled that position one term, after which he resumed newspaper work in Pinckneyville, ILL. Later he was connected with papers in Carbondale, Belleville, Marion and Benton, and then returned to Mt. Vernon. In 1889 he was appointed Postmaster of this place, which position he filled for nearly five years, with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He holds membership with the Grand Army post of Mt. Vernon, of which he is now serving as Commander, and he is also a member of the Odd Fellows' society. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been Superintendent of several Sunday-schools. He takes an active interest in church and benevolent work, and is a loyal and progressive citizen, who ever befriends the best interests of the community in which he makes his home.
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton,
Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois" |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer