Ralph Hall was affectionately called "Major Hall" around Foster County. He was born at North Farmington, Michigan on December 17, 1848. He came to this area with his brothers George and the Walton brothers, Luther, Edward and Charles. They came in 1880 with a surveying party that laid out the township lines in an area that later became Foster County.
On June 29, 1886, he married Mary McConnahay at Jamestown. They had one daughter, Marie.
Mrs. Hall was active in the church and civic affairs. She was a charter member of the D.A.R. in Carrington.
Mr. Hall was appointed the first sheriff of this territory which covered what is now Foster, Eddy, and parts of Wells and Benson Counties. He was appointed in 1883, and most of his travel was on horseback, even in winter. Later he was elected sheriff and served until 1890. In 1890 he was elected to the State Legislature.
In 1893 president Cleveland appointed him Indian Agent at Fort Totten. He held this position until 1898. He endeared himself to the natives living on the reservation. They often stopped to visit him later, when traveling through.
Though Mr. Hall was in the area early, he never filed a claim or homestead. He purchased all his land; more than 2,000 acres.
His home, north of Carrington, still stands. The farm is operated by his grandson, Ralph Harmon, and a great-grandson.
Mr. Hall died in 1937. Mrs. Hall died in 1942. They are buried at Carrington.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 105B