George Benson Hall, Jr.

Who was George Benson Hall, Jr.?

George Benson Hall was a businessman involved in the Quebec lumber business. On his death, the Quebec Morning Chronicle described him as "one of Quebec’s most prominent and enterprising citizens".

He was born in Amherstburg, Upper Canada, the son of George Benson Hall and Angelica Fortier. In 1843, he married Mary Jane Patterson, the daughter of Peter Patterson. On the death of his father-in-law, he became seigneur for Beauport, the last person to hold that title. Hall established a milling complex at the Montmorency Falls in 1851, which eventually grew to employ members of 800 families at Beauport. He served as an alderman for Quebec City from 1853 to 1862. Hall died at Montmorency, at the time one of the richest lumber operators in Canada. He was also known for his generosity to the under-privileged of his community.

In The storied province of Quebec, the Hall sawmills at Montmorency are described as "the greatest in the world".