Eldest son of Edward "Teddy" and Agnes (Peel) Wall, he emigrated with them and two siblings, William and Elizabeth, and arrived in New York on the SS Hero on 18 Jun 1852. The family settled in Martin, Allegan, MI. He studied at Albion College and after apprenticing, he passed the Michigan bar and then in Nebraska bar, becoming a Judge in Loup City.

His first marriage was to Adeline "Addie" Van Hausen in 1875-6 (two dates recorded) (this was her 3rd marriage) and second to Margaret Christman, 6 Nov 1924 in Council Bluffs, IA.

This obituary was transcribed by Kathy Burr with my great thanks:

OBITUARY

The funeral services of Judge Aaron Wall, were held from the Presbyterian church Saturday afternoon, in charge of Rev. L. M. Harwood, pastor of the Presbyterian church, and assisted by Rev. George M. Carter, pastor of the Methodist church. Rev. Harwood preached a very forceful sermon, extolling some of the outstanding virtues and the characteristics which marked his life.

The body was laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery, and we now have only the memory of one who has been identified with not only Loup City and Sherman County, but the entire state of Nebraska.
Judge Wall was born in Lancastershire, England, August 7, 1848, and was the oldest of thirteen children born to Edward and Agnes Wall. He was 84 years, 11 months, and 6 days of age at the time of his death. When Judge Wall came to the United States in 1851, the family located in Caledonia, New York, and later moved to the state of Michigan where Mr. Wall grew to manhood. In 1871 Judge Wall graduated from the law school and was admitted to the bar, and moved to Saline County, Nebraska. Two years later he was married to Mrs. Addie Brill, and the following year moved to Sweetwater, Nebraska. In 1877 he moved to Loup City, following his election as county judge of Sherman County. His first wife, Mrs. Addie Wall, died June 17, 1924, and later he married Mrs. Margaret Morgan.
Surviving him are the following: One brother, James Wall, of Bell, California, four sisters, Mrs. Agnes Hottenger and Mrs. Kate Thayer, both of California, Mrs. Martha Youngs and Mrs. Florence Herbert, both of Michigan, two step children, Mrs. Minnie Johansen and George Brill, of Loup City; one nephew, Max Wall of Arcadia; two nieces, Mrs. Pearl Scott and Miss Ina Wall, all of Arcadia; one sister-in-law, Mrs. John Wall of Arcadia, besides nieces and nephews in Michigan, California, South Dakota and other states.

Judge Wall served two terms as State Senator from this district, and he was one of the outstanding members of that session, and was always consulted on important legislation. Judge Wall perhaps more than any member, was responsible for existence of the Kearney Normal and its location at Kearney. He was a member of the last Constitutional Convention, serving on the most important committees. Judge Wall came within a few votes of receiving the nomination for Congress on one occasion, and lacked but one vote of receiving the nomination for District Judge. Either nomination would have been equivalent to an election. A life long Republican he was one of the main counselors of his party for nearly half a century in the state and country, serving on the state committee, attending county, state, and national conventions. He was Mayor of Loup City for two terms, and city attorney for a number of years, and held many other positions of honor and trust.

When Judge Wall was in his prime he was considered the outstanding criminal lawyer in the state, and his services were commanded from all parts of the state, usually for the defense, and his pleas were master pieces. He could sway a jury with his oratory and his convincing argument, and when he pleaded sympathy to tears, and then to laughter at his own will.

While Judge Wall was sympathetic and would share his last dollar with those in distress, he had in his make up that quality, which, if a fight was necessary he was there to the finish. This is plainly evident in his many skirmishes especially in the early history of the county, when cattle thieves were in evidence. The Olive gang, one of the most powerful and most feared gangs of cattle rustlers in the country, who had no respect for law or human life, tangled with Mr. Wall. Jim Roberts, living on Beaver Creek, was arrested by this gang in April, 1878, charged with stealing cattle, and Mr. Wall was acting as his council [sic], the case being brought before Captain Hutchinson, a justice of the peace of that locality. The Olive Gang tried to keep Judge Wall out of the room where court was held, standing around the walls with revolvers cocked. He managed to get inside, however, but was unable to get a fair hearing, although he asked to see the Justice's docket, which was refused him. He then told the court that if he were allowed to talk a few minutes with the prisoner he would then go away.

As the gang wished him out of the way, Judge Wall was allowed to consult the client and they repaired to a point near the barn where the Judge had his buggy, the gang standing guard with cocked weapons. During the talk they hit upon a plan that at a given signal, Mr. Roberts should jump into the buggy and the Judge should cut the horses loose. When anyone came near they were talking earnestly about the case, but they carefully watched their chance, and although it hardly seemed possible, they were taken by a spirited animal safely to Loup City. They were pursued some distance, but thought their pursuers had given up the chase before they reached their destination.

They had hardly arrived at the house and got the team unhitched when Mrs. Roberts came in from the Roberts ranch saying Bob Olive and his cowboys were coming. They had with them a warrant from Justice Hutchinson for the arrest of Mr. Wall and intended taking him back for trial. Upon hearing a gentle rap on the door, he saw a man he did not know, and who asked for a minute's conversation with him. When he stepped out he was immediately surrounded and all chance of escape cut off, five glittering revolvers pointed at his head, though not one of the gang was courageous enough to attempt to arrest him.

A large part of the afternoon was spent in an effort to effect his arrest, during which time many of the citizens of Loup City gathered around. Mr. Wall told them if he went with them he would not be given a fair trial, calling them a band of outlaws and cowards, and offering to take one at a time and "lick the whole outfit" if they would lay down their arms, or if they would give him a chance to get his revolver inside, to give them a round with it.

He was standing with his back against the building and with no weapon but his penknife, with which he was whittling a stick. They were so enraged at his remarks that finally they tried to throw a rope over his head, but each attempt to do so failed, and at one time one of them tried to take hold of him, but Mr. Wall struck at him with his knife with an upward thrust, ripping his vest from the bottom up. He appealed to the citizens for help and John Swain, son-in-law of J. C. Fletcher, who had recently come to the state in search of a location in the west, stepped up and offered to defend him with his life. Though the revolvers were leveled at his head, Mr. Swain did not flinch, but stepped fearlessly to Mr. Wall's side.

Mr. Wall finally agreed to go with them if an officer of Sherman County and a sufficient number of citizens to protect him would go along, and suggested repairing to the court room, which was on the second floor in the Massasoit house. They all consented and a messenger was sent for Deputy Sheriff Reuben French. Mr. Wall, then county judge, busied himself with papers and put the county seal on some blanks he had filled out, in order to have the seal for a weapon, and upon the arrival of the sheriff said, "I command you to call court." After quietly sending another message for Martin Brambaugh, Judge Wall commanded the officer to arrest the entire Olive gang for contempt of court, but when Mr. French tried to carry out the order the outlaws pointed their revolvers at him, and he weakened. They then grew desperate and determined to take Mr. Wall with them, but he said "County court is in session and I cannot leave." All this was done to delay matters. The town was thrilled. Someone slipped a revolver in Judge Wall's pocket. John Harkins came in with a sledge hammer in his hand and while he did not use it, it had a quieting effect on the outlaws. Brambaugh came in due time and demanded "What is the matter here?" When informed that he was deputized an officer of the court and to arrest the men who had caused the trouble for contempt of court. "Here is my revolver," and laying it on the table, Brambaugh picked it up with one hand and with the other took Bob Olive by his throat, saying "You are my prisoner." In a few moments they were all under arrest and Judge Wall passed fines on all of them for contempt of court.

The above is only one incident in the life of Judge Wall. In the early history of the county, Judge Wall had similar experiences, but his cunning forethought always brought him out ahead.

Loup City will miss his oratory and his eloquence as a speaker. He was a deep thinker, a fine lawyer, and a statesman. When Judge Wall took a case for a client, he put every ounce of strength into it and fought for his side as though it were his own fate which was at stake.

He leaves behind him a life of activity, since he was full of energy and always ready to lend a helping hand to those in trouble.

The Sherman County Times - Jul 21 1933