Orphaned as a child, Hall worked in a candy store, and eventually saved enough money to buy the business.

In time, he had one of the largest fleets of sailing ships on the east coast, all built in Delaware.

With his earnings he began buying land and ended up with over 6,000 acres (24 km2) on 20 farms, becoming one of the largest landowners in the state.

Then that reach was generally in support of racial equality, a concept strongly opposed by Democrats in Delaware.

Hall did support the setting up of a separate state Board of Education, and an office of Insurance Commissioner.