Hall was nominated by President Millard Fillmore on August 13, 1852, to a seat vacated by Alfred Conkling.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 31, 1852, and received commission the same day.

Born on March 28, 1810, in Marcellus, Onondaga County, New York,[1] Hall moved to Erie County, New York in his early youth and attended the district schools, and engaged in shoe-making and agricultural pursuits.

[2] Hall served as the 14th Postmaster General of the United States in the cabinet of President Millard Fillmore from July 23, 1850, to August 31, 1852.

[2] Hall was "particularly active in procuring the charter" of the University at Buffalo, which President Fillmore founded.