The Shells of Pigeon Creek Genealogy Web Site
The ancestors, descendants, and cousins of the Shells of Pigeon Creek, Alabama.
Notes for John William Halso
Resided Pigeon Creek, Ala. (about 300 yards from Sardis Church). Plantation Farmer and Black Smith. Owned a Grist Mill and Cotton Gin on Pigeon Creek, known as Halso Mill and is still being operated. 1965
Eleanor Hickman Hughes. Hickman-Halso.
According to John William Halso's service record, he enlisted in the 17th Alabama Infantry, Co. K in 1862 at Mobile and was paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina in May, 1865. The regimental hospital record indicates that he reported to the regimental hospital on June 15, 1864 and was diagnosed with acute dysenteria. On September 21 his diagnosis was icterus and he was sent to the general hospital. His name is on the roster for the Confederate Veterans Reunion on August 21, 1897 and he registered as a Confederate Veteran in Butler County in 1907.
Wilbur Thompson, March, 2000 (thompson@@hiwaay.net).
Death of John Wm. Halso
Early last Thursday, the 24th inst., John W. Halso died at his home near Sardis Church. He was 95 years and four months of age, being probably the oldest man in the county. His physicians said that he died of old age, no disease whatever could be found. For some months the deceased had been confined to his home and most of the time to his room, he gradually succumbed to the feebleness of age. Up to a very short time ago, his mental and physical faculties were all intact, and he enjoyed seeing and conversing with his many friends.
In the fall or winter of 1844, when a youth, he moved with his father's family from North Carolina, to the old Boan place, near what was known as Cook's Stand, it was then it Butler county, but afterwards was made a part of Crenshaw County. They came to Alabama in a one-horse wagon, which contained all that the family possessed, they were absolutely without any money. The family consisted of Stephen Halso, the father, a son, Stephen, named for the father, and who was killed in the Civil war, and John W., there were three girls, Miss Betsie, who died many years ago; Miss Sarah, who married Mr. Keith; Miss Polly, who married a man named Driver, the latter is still living and is deaf and blind, she is now passed her 93rd year, she is left in the home of her deceased brother, and has been living with him all these years.
When Mr. Halso became of age he hired himself to Bill Mercer and worked for him seven years. He married Miss Demmas Mercer, who lived with her father's family near where the Halso Mill now stands. That was March the 18th 1847. He bought the tract of land on which he died, living there ever since. His marriage was blessed with only two children, both girls, Annie Delilah, who married on January 6th to Mr. R.D. Shell. The other girls, Miss Jane Elizabeth, married Samuel Aaron Hickman. In the Summer of 1882 Mr. Halso bought the Mill that goes by his name and it was operated by him or under his direction ever since.
When a young man he volunteered to go to the Mexican war but it closed before he got into service. When the war between the states broke out he inlisted and served for the four years of its duration. He was a member of Co. K., of the 17th Alabama Regiment. During the war he was slightly wounded twice. He was never a member of any church, but was always a regular attendant upon services, and giving of his substance in support of the gospel. He believed in honesty and led an honorable and upright life. His home was always the home of the Sardis pastor, and he was always glad when he visited him. He was buried on Friday, the 25th day of October, besides the grave of his wife. The pall bearers were: Messrs. W.T. Dunklin, Sr., Henry Jernigan, Dow P. Nix, Oscar Ledbetter, Willie Atkins, and Leon Russell, conducted by Henry Huguley. Rev. R.T. McLeod, his pastor, officiated at the funeral. A very large number of friends and relatives were there to pay their last sad tribute to his memory.
The writer first met Mr. Halso in June 1869 and was his neighbor from the latter part of 1870 to the time of his death. He was a subscriber to the Greenville Advocate from the time it first started in 1865 up to the time of his death, 53 years. I knew that he was a constant reader of the paper and kept up with the affairs of the county through its columns.
In conclusion I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy to Miss Ann Keith and Mrs. Polley Driver, the only ones left in the home where Uncle John Halso died, and to other relatives.
Oct. 26th 1918 Richard A. Shell
Richard A. Shell. Greenville Advocate. October, 1918.
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