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Henry Hall |
Henry Hall was born in about September 1842 or on May 15, 1844 in Stewart Township, Fayette County, PA, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Hall and stepson of Elizabeth (Rowan) Hall. (Birthdate records differ, and he once wrote, "I don't have any record of my Birth, either Bible or Church.")
He grew up in Wharton Township but never learned to read or write. As a young man, he stood 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, blue eyes and auburn hair.
During the Civil War, he and his brother William served with the 116th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K. They both joined the Union Army on March 23, 1864 and remained through the duration of the war. The 116th was one of six regiments comprising the famed "Irish Brigade." The men were issued obsolete smoothbore muskets, which fired buck-and-ball shot producing a shotgun effect in close-range combat.
Among other soldiers in the regiment was Silas Younkin, a distant step-cousin by marriage.
Just a month after enlistment, Henry contracted the measles and rubella and was treated in an army hospital. He thus was absent when his regiment took part in the excessively bloody Wilderness campaign from early May to early June 1864 -- battles including Todd’s Tavern, Spottsylvania, Totopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, William’s Farm, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom and Reams Station.
Henry recovered from his medical problems and rejoined the regiment in about September 1864.
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| Five Forks battle as sketched by Alfred R. Waud - Library of Congress |
The 116th spent the winter of 1864-1865 in camp during the siege of Petersburg, occasionally performing reconnaissance and skirmishing. Fighting resumed at Gravelly Run (March 30, 1865), Five Forks (April 1) and Farmville (April 7, just two days before the enemy’s surrender).
On April 9, 1865, the men of Henry's unit halted their skirmishing, cooked coffee and then "received the glorious news of the surrender," writes St. Clair A. Mulholland in his book The Story of the 116th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry. After a time, Union Gen. George C. Meade rode through their lines and into the enemy's. Then that afternoon, he rode back, stopped in front of the 116th and removed his cap, saying "General Lee has surrendered to General Grant." Writes Sgt. Maj. Samuel D. Hunter, "It now seemed as if by the hand of God life had been suspended for several minutes. Not a word was spoken, not a movement was made. Officers and men stood like regiments of statue-soldiers in the perfect silence. Then like an electric shock broke forth one grand shout and cheer after cheer rent the air."
and William
Sadly, Henry's brother William did not survive the war, dying in a field hospital at Brandy Station, VA. Henry completed his term of military and received an honorable discharge on July 14, 1865, while in Washington, DC. He then returned home to the mountains.
In 1865, at the age of 23, Henry married 24-year-old Mary Margaret Hull (April 1841-1916), daughter of John Hull. Magistrate Dougherty Elliott officiated at the nuptials ceremony, held in Wharton Township.
Mary's middle name also has been given as "Catherine." She also lacked reading and writing skills.
The couple produce these nine children -- David X. Hall, Mary "Margaret" Van Sickle, Winfield S. Hall II, John W. Hall, Levi Hall II, Archibald William "Archie" Hall, George Hall, Walter Hall and Clarence "Washington" (or "Washabaugh" or more simply "Wash") Hall.
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Ruts of old Braddock's Road in Chalk Hill dating to the French & Indian War |
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| Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery |
On Dec. 16, 1891, Henry was awarded a military pension for his service during the Civil War. [Invalid App. #1077818 - Cert. #881402]. In his application, he claimed that the measles had caused weakness and disease in his lower back and kidneys and that he had "much indigestion" from a "diseased stomach." Brother-in-law Jonathan Baker and family friend George A. Anderson both signed an affidavit saying they had known Henry for many years "to be respectable, a good citizen and a quiet and peaceable man in the community where he has always lived, residing for a long time including as much as quite a number of years in the same neighbourhood and near neighbors...." They also noted that his back problems were not caused by "vicious habits." Friends Alexander Doyle and Wyley McKean testified in writing that Henry had been "very much disabled from the performance of manual labor." When examined circa 1893, an army surgeon wrote of Henry that "He is decidedly sensitive to pressure over the region of the kidneys. Tongue heavily coated and cracked, showing indigestion. There is a slight condition of hemorrhoids. In my opinion all the above may have been caused by exposure while in U.S. service."
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Christ's Church Lutheran Chapel, Chalk Hill |
Henry and Mary lived in Uniontown in their older years. Sadly, Mary was burdened with heart disease ("myocardial degeneration") and chronic bronchitis and passed away at the age of 71 on Aug. 4, 1916. Interment was in the Christ's Church Lutheran Church Cemetery in Chalk Hill, with son John W. Hall of Uniontown signing the certificate of death.
At the age of 78, for three months, Henry suffered a deadly case of dropsy (congestive heart failure), and on Aug. 7, 1921, Henry died at home from the effects of a mitral heart lesion. Burial was in Chalk Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery. Son Winfield signed the death certificate, but while knowing the name of Henry's father, was unable to provide the maiden name of Henry's mother. In an obituary, the Uniontown Morning Herald reported that he "was well known in the county having spent the greater part of his life here." As well, a one-paragraph obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Several members of his old army company attended the funeral held at the Hall home, and other veterans participated in the burial service, which was officiated by Rev. Jasper Barnthouse.
~ Son David X. Hall ~
Son David X. Hall (1862-1936) was born on March 13, 1862 or 1863 or 1864.
He lived in Jumonville in the mountains above Uniontown, Fayette County, and earned income as a laborer.
On Oct. 4, 1891, when he was 28 years of age, David was united in marriage with 18-year-old Alice Margaret Cassidy (March 1874-1944), of Wharton Township, daughter of George and Margaret (Hoar) Cassidy. Justice of the peace George W. Hansel officiated. At the time of marriage, David earned a living as a laborer.
They produced these 11 known children -- George Hall, Mary Miller, Ida Crum, Bertha Lee Hull, Lulu Hall, Theodore Hall, John Hall, Dorothy Hawk, Earl Hall, Winfield A. Hall and Lucy Kehn. Two other offspring were deceased by 1910.
The family dwelled in Wharton Township, Fayette County in 1900, with David working as a timber cutter. In 1910, the federal census enumeration shows the Halls residing in Jumonville, North Union Township, with David and his son George working as laborers performing odd jobs.
Remaining in Jumonville during the decade of the 1910s, David was listed as a farmer in the 1920 census. Their dwelling in 1920 was along the National Turnpike on the stretch from Coolspring to Jumonville Road to Summit Hotel.
The Uniontown Morning Herald once called David "beloved" and also "one of the most highly respected residents of the mountain."
Burdened with an ulcer of his foot, and added to heart problems which were common in the family, David began to fail in health from aortic regurgitation and died in Jumonville at age 74 on Oct. 13, 1936. Burial was in the Fulton Cemetery near Jumonville, with Rev. William King of the Percy Methodist Protestant Church officiating. Daughter Mary Miller of Edenborn, PA was the informant for the Pennsylvania certificate of death. An obituary in the Morning Herald noted that his survivors included 19 grandchildren and five brothers.
Alice outlived her husband by eight years. Suffering from acute heart disease and diabetes, in addition to a carbuncle on her neck, she was admitted to Uniontown Hospital and died there on Sept. 3, 1944.
- Grandson George Hall (1892- ? ) was born in Feb. 1892. At the age of 18 in 1910, unmarried, he lived at home and earned a living providing labor for odd jobs.
- Granddaughter Mary M. Hall (1893-1962) was born in March 1893. She married Fred H. Miller ( ? - ? ). They established a homeplace in Hopwood. She was gathered away by the Angel of Death on May 5, 1962, while a patient at Miners Memorial Hospital in Harlan, KY. Her body was brought back to Uniontown to rest for all time in LaFayette Memorial Park.
- Granddaughter Ida May Hall (1895-1961) was born in Nov. 1895. She was twice married. At the age of 19, on Sept. 19, 1913, she was joined in marriage with her first husband, 29-year-old coal miner Frank Costolo (1884- ? ), a resident of Coolspring, near Uniontown, and son of George and Ella (Luckey) Costolo. The ceremony was held at the parsonage of the Free Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. L.N. Campbell. Three children were born to the union -- Walter F. Costolo, Beatrice Costolo and Fred Costolo. The couple divorced, with Frank remaining in Coolspring. Ida May wedded again Albert Crum ( ? - ? ). The family grieved when married son Walter, of Erie, PA, died at the age of 43 in Aug. 1958. She passed into eternity in Hancock County, WV on Feb. 3, 1961.
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Granddaughter Bertha Lee Hall (1897-1971) was born in July 1897. She married a cousin, William Jacob Hull (1893-1961), son of John Henry and Melverda (Rishel) Hull. See their bio elsewhere on this page for more.
- Granddaughter Lula "Lulu" Hall (1899-1974) was born in Nov. 1899. She married (?) Anderson and relocated to Oklahoma and resided in Isabella, Major County, OK. Death cut her away on Feb. 15, 1974. Interment of the remains was in Isabella Cemetery.
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Grandson Theodore Hall (1904- ? ) was born in about 1904.
- Grandson John K. Hall (1904-1998) was born in about 1904. He lived in Jumonville in 1971-1974. John died in 1998.
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Granddaughter Dorothy Pearl Hall (1906-1974) was born on Sept. 6, 1906 at Jumonville. She married Elmer Hawk ( ? -1974) and made their home in Lemont Furnace near Uniontown and later in Yauger Hollow. They were members of the Cove Run Free Methodist Church. The Hawks had two children -- Eugene Hawk and June Hall. Sadly, Earl passed away on July 10, 1974. Dorothy Pearl only lived for another six days and died in Uniontown Hospital at the age of 67 on July 16, 1974. A death notice appeared in the Uniontown Morning Herald, which noted that her survivors included eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Cove Run church, led by Rev. Harry E. Cooley, with burial in Percy Cemetery. Son Eugene made his home in Cleveland in 1974 and daughter June in Yauger Hollow.
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Grandson Earl David Hall (1909-1991) was born in about 1909. He grew up in Hopwood. Earl wedded Pearl Elmira Kinzey ( ? - ? ). The couple bore these known offspring -- Robert E. Hall and Lillian Virginia Hall. Sadly, son Robert died in infancy in 1931. They resided along Coolspring Road in Hopwood in 1971. Earl died in 1991. Burial was in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Dunbar, Fayette County.
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Grandson Winfield A. Hall (1913-1993) was born on May 7, 1913. He was joined in matrimony with Delphia D. (July 25, 1913-1991). They made a home in Elizabeth, Allegheny County, PA. Sadly, Delphia passed into eternity on Jan. 18, 1991. Winfield outlived her by two years and succumbed to death on March 4, 1993. Their remains sleep in Round Hill Cemetery in Elizabeth.
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Granddaughter Lucy Hall (1917-1999) was born in about 1917. She wedded Wilbur Kehn ( ? -1995). Circa 1971-1974, their home was in Isabella, Major County, OK. Evidence suggests that Wilbur died in Isabella in June 1995 and that Lucy passed away in Isabella in November 1999 at the age of 82.
~ Daughter Mary "Margaret" (Hall) Baker ~
Daughter Mary "Margaret" Hall (1864-1926) was born on June 8, 1864 or 1866.
She appears to have married a step-cousin Otha "William" Baker (1866- ? ), son of Jonathan and Cascinda "Catharine" (Ogle) Baker of Wharton Township, with the license issued on Nov. 27, 1889, when he was 23 and she 25. There is no record that an actual wedding took place.
The couple produced three known children, Bessie Lee Cooley, Earl W. Baker and Chauncey Baker. Later, Margaret married (?) Van Sickle.
She lived in Hopwood, Fayette County in 1921.
Sadly, at the age of 62, Margaret suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died on Dec. 15, 1926. Her remains were laid to rest in the Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery, with the Edward E. Minerd Funeral Home handling the arrangements. Son Chauncey Baker of Hopwood signed the death certificate. A stone marks the grave today, inscribed "Mother" and "In Loving Memory."
- Granddaughter Bessie Lee Baker (1890-1979) was born on Sept. 17, 1890. She dwelled in Hopwood as a young woman. At the age of 21, on April 6, 1912, she was married to 25-year-old railroader Elmer Cooley (1885-1968), son of Joseph and Belle Cooley. Justice of the peace P.M. Buttermore officiated at the nuptials held in Connellsville. They produced at least one daughter, Mary Margaret Cooley. In 1937, her home was in Cokeburg, Washington County, PA. She occasionally wrote letters to the editor of the Pittsburgh Press. One such letter, published on July 19, 1937, said that "In regards to this labor war we are having, I think labor should have a vote and let both sides abide by the election and stop this killing and damage to property. A vote tells the situation in other business and the men have the right to vote for themselves. Everything is run by a vote except labor unions. They cannot have a vote for their rights, but can only vote for the benefit of others." The family went into crisis in September 1940 when their 19-year-old daughter eloped to Cumberland, MD to marry her 52-year-old widowed uncle Joseph Marshall Cooley of Brownsville, Fayette County. The case went to court, with Fayette County Common Pleas Judge W. Russell Carr weighing what the Uniontown Morning Herald called an "Unusual case -- in which it was shown the law prevents a woman from marrying her father's brother but does not specifically prohobit a man from marrying his brother's daughter." The judge found the husband and wife guilty of incest. Elmer passed away in 1968 at the age of 83. Bessie outlived him by nine years. She joined him in death in April 1979. They rest together in Scenery Hill Cemetery in Washington County.
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Grandson Chauncey Baker (1891-1958) was born on March 10, 1891 in Wharton Township, Fayette County. When he was age 18, in 1910, he boarded with the family of Thomas G. and Della Hager in Wharton Township and supported himself as a farm laborer. On New Year's Day 1918, at Uniontown, Chauncey married Pauline (?) (1901- ? ), who was 10 years younger. They produced one known daughter, Rebecca Louise Cunningham. Chauncey and Pauline resided in or near Hopwood in 1920, with him laboring as a coal miner. In about 1933, Chauncey obtained employment with the Rose Iron Works and, over the next 25 years, worked his way up to foreman. He suffered lacerations of two fingers on his left hand in a work accident in December 1940 but eventually returned to work. In April 1948, Chauncey filed for divorce, with the Connellsville Daily Courier reporting that Pauline allegedly was "neglecting her household duties and remaining away from home at nights." He dwelled in the 1950s at 300 West Main Street in Uniontown. At the age of 67, on Sept. 1, 1958, stricken with cancer of the pancreas and heart disease, he died as a patient in Uniontown Hospital. Elizabeth Shaw of the residence signed the death certificate. His remains were lowered into eternal repose in White Rock Cemetery in Fairchance, Fayette County. An obituary in the Daily Courier noted that he was survived by a daughter, sister, half-sister and two grandchildren. Pauline went on to marry again to (?) Jones. She filed legal action against Chauncey, asking the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas to order the sale of her former home so that she could receive her half share, but the judge refused as she could produce evidence that she had any ownership. Their daughter Rebecca married Paul Cunningham on Dec. 10, 1939, with him working at the time at Fayette Chemical Company.
- Grandson Earl W. Baker (1898-1937) was born on Feb. 11, 1898. He was wedded to Edna (?). The Bakers made their residence at House 75 in the coal mining patch town of Continental #2 near Uniontown. Their children were Gretna Baker, Jean Baker, William Baker and Gerald Baker. Earl was a member of the United Mine Workers Local 6324. When coal mines shut down during the Great Depression, Earl obtained work laboring for the Works Progress Administration (WPA). In 1930, Earl began suffering from a bronchial infection which, on top of asthma, was not easily cured. Then in July 1936, his heart problems led to fluid buildup in his abdomen and legs. Unable to recover, he died just four days before his 39th birthday on Feb. 7, 1937. Burial was in White Rock Cemetery in Fairchance, with Rev. Betz officiating at the funeral held at the Hopwood Methodist Protestant Church, and with Edna signing the death certificate. An obituary in the Uniontown Evening Standard incorrectly gave his age as 28.
~ Son Winfield S. Hall II ~
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Winfield S. Hall II |
Son Winfield S. Hall II (1867-1952) was born on April 14 or 17, 1867 or 1868.
He married a cousin, Hilda Jane "Hallie" (Hull) Van Sickle (1896-1971), who was 29 years younger, and daughter of John Henry and Melverta "Melverdie" (Rishel) Hull.
They produced two known children, Winfield "Ray" Hall and Hazel Mae Hull.
Winfield earned a living as a laborer, dwelling in Chalk Hill, Fayette County.
In the 1920s, afflicted with stomach and kidney problems, Winfield tried Konjola, a medicine said to cure a variety of ailments and which was available at Central Drug Store in Uniontown. Pleased with the results, he consented to allow his photograph and words to be published in a Konjola testimonial in the Jan. 5, 1929 edition of the Uniontown Morning Herald. "Happy beyond expression of the wonders Konjola wrought for him," the testimonial continued:
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Uniontown Morning Herald, 1929 |
I shall never stop rejoicing that I decided, after weeks of hesitation, to give Konjola a chance to relieve me of rheumatism and stomach trouble. For two years or more I was a fictim of a complication of diseases that caused all kinds of misery. I developed rheumatism in my lower limbs shortly after my stomach and kidneys became disordered. Every time I put my weight on my feet, sharp, shooting pains shot through my limbs. I was unable to sleep at night, work efficiently during the day. Loss of appetite resulted in a weak and rundown condition of my system. Glas bloating followed every meal. At night I had to rise several times because of my kidneys, and every morning found me weak and tired. I had heard Konjola recommended for such troubles as mine and many friends sincerely indorsed it. So I decided to see what it would do for me. What a surprise and pleasure was in store for me. I have taken but a brief treatment, and yet the results obtained were almost beyond imagination. I can eat any kind of food and in any quantity without trouble with my stomach. I am stronger in every way and have begun to pick up in weight. My kidneys no longer bother me and I enjoy sound, refreshing sleep at night. The rheumatism has been so relieved that I can get around and do my work without suffering and only a dim memory remains to tell me of the many years of suffering I formerly endured.
(An interesting twist is that one of Winfield's neighbors and distant step-cousins, Bartholomew "Beth" Minerd, also of Chalk Hill, also used the Konjola and also was profiled in a Morning Herald testimonial around that time.)
In July 1935, Winfield and a number of local men assisted in cleaning and weeding historic sites including Jumonville's Grave and Washington's Rocks. The team included John K. Hall, Joe Fitzsimmons, Dan Varndell, Daniel Varndell, Ludwig Wedel, John Varndell, Wesley Johnson, Russell Varndell, David Hall and Earl Hall. Under the supervision of road construction foreman John Bradley, the men tore out undergrowth allowing the sites to be "more attractive and easier to locate," reported the Morning Herald. "For the past year nothing has been done at either site and weeds and underbrush had taken firm root to grow up over tablets and other markers, making them difficult to find.... Refreshments were furnished gratis throughout the day by Harry Whyel, proprietor of Jumonville Inn. The workers visited the spots again yesterday for a last minute's survey befor letting the general public in on the back-breaking labor contribution which has resulted in two of the county's historic spots again becoming places that apparently have been given special care to perpetuate Fayette's historic sites and make them drawing cards for the large number of tourists who frequent this section and Fort Necessity."
Circa 1940, census records show the Halls living in Wharton Township, with son Ray earning income as a construction laborer.
At the age of 84, suffering from hardening of the arteries, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, Winfield died on Leap Day 1952. Interment was in the Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery.
Later, Hilda wedded Orville Van Sickle ( ? - ? ). They lived along Wharton Furnace Road.
The couple grieved at the untimely death of daughter Hazel in 1958.
At the age of 74, suffering from stomach cancer and congestive heart failure, Hallie died at home on Sept. 22, 1971. Her funeral service was held at the Chalk Hill Lutheran Church, with Dr. Earl P. Confer officiating, and followed by interment in the church cemetery. The Uniontown Morning Herald printed an obituary.
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Grandson Winfield "Ray" Hall (1919- ? ) was born in about 1919 in Wharton Township. He made a dwelling in Uniontown in 1958.
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Granddaughter Hazel Mae Hall (1922-1958) was born on Feb. 16, 1922 in Wharton Township. She tied the marital cord with Glenn Leo Hull (1926-1997). They produced an only son, James Glenn Hull. The family resided in the outskirts of Uniontown and belonged to Calvary Methodist Church. Unspeakable grief cascaded over the family when, at age 35, Hazel was diagnosed with cancer of the left breast. She suffered for a year and died in Uniontown Hospital on Oct. 7, 1958. Burial was in Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery. The Uniontown Morning Herald published an obituary. The widowed Glenn resided in the mid-1970s in Farmington. In May 1975, he was named to replace William C. Thomas as custodian at Uniontown Area High School. That September he resigned as custodian of the high school stadium. He died in 1997
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Chalk Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery |
~ Son John W. Hall ~
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| Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery |
Son John W. Hall (1870-1944) was born on Jan. 29, 1870 or 1871 in Wharton Township, Fayette County, PA.
At the age of 21, on Nov. 26, 1891, John was united in wedlock with 21-year-old Alice Klink (July 4, 1870-1938), daughter of William and Hannah Klink of Wharton Township. Justice of the peace George W. Hansel led the nuptials.
The Halls and Klinks were close, and John's brother Levi married Alice's sister Emma.
John and Alice resided in Jumonville, Fayette County.
The couple had these offspring -- William H. Hall, John W. Hall Jr., Clyde Hall, Bessie Craig, Viola Shipley, Nina Greenwalt, Lida Basinger and Delphia Hall.
At the age of 67, having endured a lingering illness of rheumatic endocarditis, Alice succumbed at the age of 67 on April 1, 1938 in their home. The Uniontown Morning Herald published an obituary. Her remains were lowered into the earth for eternal rest in Chalk Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery.
John lived for another six years as a widower, and made his home with his daughter Bessie at 58 West Winona Street in Uniontown. He contracted stomach cancer and could not keep food down, with his weight plummeting. The malnutrition and malignancy led to his death at the age of 74 on June 1, 1944. Viola Hall served as the official informant for the Pennsylvania certificate of death. An obituary in the Morning Herald said he was survived by 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Dr. Levi Stoner of Connellsville presided over the funeral and burial.
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Grandson William H. Hall (1892-1942) was born on Nov. 5, 1892 in Wharton Township. He served in the U.S. armed forces during World War I as a member of the 49th Coast Artillery. He lived with his parents in Jumonville in 1938. He eventually married Bessie "Rosie" Sellers (1893- ? ), although they did not reproduce, and may have separated. At one time William was employed at the Richmond Radiator Plant in Uniontown. Circa 1942, he worked on house construction at the Harry Whyel farm at Jumonville. William enjoyed spending time in his two-room cabin near Jumonville, eight miles from Uniontown. Sadly, on July 13, 1942, while getting ready for work on a Monday morning, but only partially dressed in a shirt and underwear, the 50-year-old William suffered a massive heart attack and fell into bed, dying almost instantly. His sister Nina, having seen from afar that his lamp alit all day, fearing the worst, waited until her friend Ralph Tuning returned home from work that evening before going over to investigate. By that time he had been dead about 12 hours. At the time, his wife was residing in Coolspring near Uniontown. Burial was in Chalk Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery. On his grave marker, the year of his birth is incorrectly inscribed as "1897" rather than the correct "1892" -- and the year of death shown as "1941" instead of "1942."
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Grandson Jonathan W. "John" Hall Jr. (1898-1951) was born on March 5, 1898. He married Beatrice ( ? - ? ). They made their home in Uniontown in 1938-1944, and circa 1951 their address was 60 Race Street. Over the years, he was employed by Richmond Radiator Company, a position from which he retired. Sadly, having endured hardening of the arteries for five years, Jonathan suffered an acute heart attack and passed away at the age of 52 on March 2, 1951. Interment was in Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery. Beatrice's fate is not yet learned.
Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery
- Grandson Clyde Hall resided in Beeson, Fayette County in the late 1930s and by 1942 was in Mount Independence, Fayette County. In 1944, he was in Ravenna, OH.
- Granddaughter Bessie Hall married (?) Craig and dwelled in Uniontown in 1938 at 45 East Main Street. By 1942, she seems to have resumed using her maiden name.
- Granddaughter Viola Hall wedded (?) Shipley and lived in Uniontown. Her home in 1944 was on Jumonville Road.
- Granddaughter Nina Hall was joined in matrimony with (?) Greenwalt. In 1938, their home was in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA. By 1942, when she signed her brother William's death certificate, she again was using the name "Hall." Her home in 1944 was in Elizabeth, PA.
- Granddaughter Lyda Hall was united in wedlock with (?) Basinger. Their residence in 1938 was in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA and in 1942-1944 in Connellsville.
- Granddaughter Delphia Hall dwelled with her parents in Jumonville in 1938. By 1944, she had relocated to Elizabeth, PA.
~ Son Levi Hall II ~
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Coal tipple at York Run |
Son Levi Hall II (1873-1939) was born on Sept. 11, 1872 or 1873 or 1874.
He married Emma Klink (May 27, 1879-1939), daughter of William and Hannah Klink. The Halls and Klinks were close, and Levi's brother John married Emma's sister Alice.
The Halls produced two children, David Hall and Blanche Hall.
They kept their residence in the coal mining patch town of York Run, Fayette County, where Levi labored for the H.C. Frick Coke Company, and eventually retired and obtained a pension. Their address was House 162 York Run.
Levi stopped working in 1927 and apparently never held a steady job for the remaining dozen years of his life. He suffered gangrene of a foot and combined with diabetes, the illness was deadly.
He succumbed at the age of 65 on Jan. 25, 1939. Son David Hall of Chalk Hill signed the death certificate. His remains were lowered into eternal rest in Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery. An obituary was published in the Uniontown Morning Herald.
Emma only survived her husband by a little more than five months and lived with her son David at House 121 York Run. "Suffering from a sudden illness of heart disease," reported the Morning Herald, she died at age 60 on July 5, 1939. She "was a highly respected resident of Georges township." The funeral and interment were held at the Chalk Hill Lutheran Church. She was survived by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
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Grandson David Hall lived at House 121 at York Run in 1939.
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Granddaughter Blanche Hall made her residence in Ohio in 1939.
~ Son Archibald William Hall ~
Son Archibald William "Jerry" Hall (1879-1952) was born on Oct. 3, 1876 or Oct. 5 or 10, 1979 in Wharton Township, Fayette County.
Circa 1904, he was wed to Florence Marie McCarein (1886-1953).
They dwelled for many years in Coolspring, Fayette County When the federal census enumeration of Coolspring was made in 1910, Archibald's 11-year-old sister-in-law Fredi Lewis lived under their roof.
Together, they produced a family of 10, born over a 23-year sweep of time -- Gilbert A. Hall, Henry Hall, Alfred Richard Hall, Nancy Mary Hall, Archibald William Hall Jr., Elizabeth Mae Hall, Florence Marie Hall, Violet Virginia Hall, Katherine Irene Hall and Betty Jane Hall.
Sadness blanketed the family when son Henry died in infancy in 1908.
By 1920, they relocated to Chartiers, Washington County, PA, where he had secured work as a foreman in a coal mine. Later, still in Chartiers, he was a farm laborer on the McClane farm in the 1930s and 1940s. In all, they lived in Chartiers for 42 years.
Stricken with heart failure, an acidosis coma and diabetes, Archie died four days after Christmas 1952 as a patient in Washington Hospital. Gilbert Hall, of Elm Street Extension in Canonsburg, was the death certificate informant. Interment was in Oak Spring Cemetery in Canonsburg, following funeral services led by Rev. Ralph T. Kemper of the South Canonsburg Church. An obituary appeared in the Canonsburg Daily Notes.
Son Gilbert A. Hall (1905-1986) made his home in Canonsburg in 1952.
Son Alfred Richard Hall (1909-1969) was employed in 1930 as a laborer in a steel mill in or near Chartiers, Washington County. By 1952, he relocated to McGovern, PA.
Daughter Nancy Mary Hall (1912-1999) wed (?) White. By 1952, she was residing in Miami, FL.
Son Archibald William Hall Jr. (1915-1997) settled in Aliquippa, PA as of 1952.
Daughter Elizabeth Mae Hall (1916-2000) wed John Hampson. Circa 1952, they made their dwelling-place in Boon Terrace.
Daughter Florence Marie Hall (1919-2015) went to work as a young woman in a box factory. She tied the marital cord with Alexander Robert Ermacoff. The pair were in Bakersfield, CA in 1952.
Daughter Violet Virginia Hall (1921-2016) married Glenn Arthur. The Arthurs' home in the early 1950s was in Washington.
Daughter Katherine Irene Hall (1924-2003) wed Charles Reed. They also migrated to Aliquippa.
Daughter Betty Jane Hall (1928-2017) exchanged vows of marriage with Clifton Earl Wright. The couple's homeplace in 1952 was in Boon Terrace.
~ Son George Hall ~
Son George Hall (1880-1959) was born on June 17, 1878 or 1880 in Wharton Township, Fayette County.
He grew up as a farmer. As an adult, he never married and made his home in Chalk Hill, Fayette County. George supported himself by working as a laborer.
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| Fayette County Home, where George lived at the end |
Circa 1944, his home was in Wharton Furnace. Later in life, he relocated into the city of Uniontown. As his health declined, due to chronic rheumatoid heart valve disease, he was admitted to the Fayette County Home, where he spent the remaining 13½ months of his life.
George entered eternity at the age of 76 on April 2, 1959. He joined his parents and siblings in repose at the Chalk Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery. Uniontown's Earl Savage gave details for the Pennsylvania death certificate.
~ Son Walter Hall ~
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| Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery |
Son Walter Hall (1883-1918) was born on May 3, 1883 in Wharton Township, Fayette County. He grew up as a farm laborer.
He married Mary Jane (?) (1888- ? ). The couple lived near Uniontown.
Tragedy befell Walter in the week leading up to Christmas 1918. He contracted a deadly case of bronchial pneumonia and influenza, and he could not overcome their effects. Just three days after Christmas in 1918, at the age of 35, Walter passed away. Burial was in Chalk Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery. His younger brother Washington signed the death certificate.
Mary Jane's fate is not yet known.
~ Son Clarence "Washington" Hall ~
Son Clarence Washington "Wash" Hall (1884-1945) -- also known at times as "Washabaugh" -- was born on on Feb. 23, 1884 or 1885 or 1888 in Chalk Hill, Wharton Township, Fayette County.
He stood 5 feet, 10½ inches tall and weighed 145 lbs. and was twice-married. His first bride, whom he wed in 1907, was Nancy Jane Sellers (1886-1981), sometimes referred to as "Frances." She was a native of North Union Township.
Their three known offspring were Sarah E. Hall, James Henry Hall and Margaret Jane Seehoffer.
The Halls resided in Coolspring near Uniontown in 1915, the year their daughter Margaret Jane was born. At that time, Washington generated income as a "clay digger." The United States Census of 1920 lists his work as a coal mine pumper. But their marriage was troubled and dissolved in divorce on June 22, 1925.
Nancy Jane lived the balance of her years in Hopwood Crossing and Lemont Furnace. She does not appear to have married again but took back her maiden name and devoted her life to raising her orphaned granddaughters Dolores and Eleanor. She died in June 1981 and sleeps for all time with her daughters Sarah and Margaret Jane in Percy Cemetery, also known as Fairview Cemetery.
Washington is known to have moved to Bentleyville in neighboring Washington County. At the untimely death of his daughter Sarah in New York City in 1926, the Uniontown newspaper said he had "been missing from home for some time and anyone knowing his whereabouts is requested to notify him of his daughter's death." He lived in Bentleyville in 1934, earning a living as a laborer.
On Jan. (?), 1934, when he was 50 years of age, she she 48, Washington wed a second time to Vena (Smith) Sullivan Jones (Dec. 1884-1960), daughter of Robert and Martha (McCombs) Smith. She also was a resident of Bentleyville and had been widowed from her first husband John J. Sullivn in 1926 and then divorced from her second spouse Grover Cleveland Jones since Jan. 28, 1933.
Vena brought three stepchildren into the Hall family -- Mabel Insley, Loretta LaBrue and Robert Sullivan.
When the 1940 federal census enumeration was made in 1940, the Halls lived in Cokeburg on the outskirts of Bentleyville. Washington's occupation that year was as an engineer who helped sink mine shafts. Their home in the early to mid 1940s on Second Street, Box 653. There, Washington earned a living for 16 years as an engineer with Industrial Colleries of Cokeburg and Bethlehem Steel Company at Ellsworth.
Sadly, at the age of 60, having suffered for three years with stomach cancer, Washington developed gastric bleeding and was admitted to Washington Hospital. No surgery was attempted, and he surrendered to death on Oct. 20, 1945. The Monongahela Daily Herald ran an obituary. Vena signed his death certificate but was unable to furnish the names of his parents.
Vena outlived him by 15 years and moved to Baltimore to be close to her daughter Mabel Insley. She passed away on Nov. 18, 1960. Her remains were returned to Bentleyville to sleep at her husband's side in Beallsville Cemetery. An obituary appeared in the Uniontown Evening Standard and the Monongahela Daily Republican.
Daughter Sarah E. Hall (1908-1926) was born in about 1908 and grew up in Morgan Station, Fayette County. As a teenager, she relocated to New York City and on June 22, 1926 became employed at St. Luke's Hospital as a waitress. Sadly, in late December 1926, she died at the age of 18 years, three months and 27 days in Bellevue Hospital. The New York Daily News reported that she and friend Josephine Bailey had perished together, "Both were daughters of good families at Uniontown, Pa... Together they attended a party at 342 East 21st st., Tuesday. Neighbors, breaking into the place next morning, found them dead. Both were believed victims of gas until a chemist at Bellevue yesterday wrote 'alcoholism' opposite their names." The Daily News went on to say that, during this era of Prohibition, the women had ingested a type of poisoned alcohol, two deaths out of 43 in the city in a week. An obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier and the Uniontown Morning Herald, saying "Her father has been missing from home for some time and anyone knowing his whereabouts is requested to notify him of his daughter's death." The body was shipped back to Uniontown for burial Percy/Fairview Cemetery near Uniontown. It was suspected that the drink from which she died was traced to a type of perfectly legal "denatured" alcohol promoted by the federal government to make more toxic and deadly to prevent bootleggers from redistilling it for beverage use, a practice which sadly did not discourage deadly human consumption.
Son James Henry Hall Sr. (1912-1991) was born on Christmas Eve 1912 in Uniontown. He entered into marriage with Thelma Yvonne Yauger (April 15, 1922-2020), daughter of Homer and Ruth (Bowers) Yauger of Lemont Furnace. Ten offspring of this union were James "Henry" Hall Jr., Daniel Hall, Robert Hall, David Hall, Ruth Ann Roley, Nancy Lee Hall, Patricia Kontaxes, Kathy Barber, Betty Fields and a son who died in infancy. They dwelled in Cokeburg, PA in 1945 and finally in Perryopolis. Said the Valley Independent, they were members of Belle Vernon Church of the Nazarene, and he "was a retired carpenter, who most recently worked for Lincoln Homes in Belle Vernon." As a patient in Mon Valley Hospital, death spirited him away at the age of 78 on Feb. 20, 1991. His remains sleep for the ages in Little Redstone Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery in Fayette City. He was survived by 23 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Thelma outlived her spouse by more than a decade and remained in Perryopolis, outliving her daughter Ruth Ann (2001) and sons Henry (2004) and Daniel. The grim reaper of death cut her away at home at the age of 98 on Nov. 23, 2020. The headcount of her survivors included 23 grandchildren "and numerous great and great-great grandchildren," said the Uniontown Herald-Standard.
- Grandson James "Henry" Hall Jr. (1940-2004) was born on July 31, 1940 at Lemont Furnace. He does not appear to have reproduced. Henry was in Uniontown for decades. At the age of 63, he succumbed to the spectre of death in Uniontown Hospital on April 7, 2004. His funeral service was conducted by Rev. J.E. Mitchell of the Belle Vernon Church of the Nazarene. The remains were placed under the sod of Little Redstone Methodist Church Cemetery in Fayette City.
- Grandson Daniel Hall dwelled in 1991-2001 in Uniontown. He was deceased by 2020.
- Grandson Robert Hall moved to Virginia Beach, VA and lived there in the 1991-2001 timeframe.
- Grandson David Hall relocated by 1991 to Somerset, PA and then in 2001 had migrated to Blairsville, PA.
- Granddaughter Ruth Ann Hall (1942-2001) was born on Nov. 10, 1942 in Uniontown. She wed Dale D. Roley (Jan. 21, 1942-2013), son of Rev. Wilbur D. and Lola (Norman) Roley of Fayette City. Their foursome of children were Linda Richardson, Roger Roley, Randy Roley and Raymond Roley. The Roley's marriage crumbled in divorce. He went on to marry again to Madeline Hill. Circa 1991, Ruth Ann was in North Charleroi, PA and then in about 2000 moved to Roscoe. She was a member of the Belle Vernon Church of the Nazarene. Sadness blanketed the family when she passed away in Mon Valley Hospital at the age of 58 on Oct. 17, 2001. Her funeral service was held in the family church, led by Rev. J.E. Mitchell. Her remains were laid to rest in Little Redstone Cemetery. Former husband Dale was employed for a dozen years as a security guard for Solomon Security and spent his final years in North Charleroi. He died in Mon Valley Hospital on Aug. 19, 2013 and his remains interred in Mon Valley Memorial Park.
Great-granddaughter Linda Hall married Mark Richardson. The couple lived in Olathe, KS in 2001 and by 2013 returned east to Ohio and made their homeplace in Columbus, OH.
Great-grandson Roger Roley stayed in Uniontown.
Great-grandson Randy Roley settled in Monessen, PA circa 2001 before a move to Pricedale, PA.
Great-grandson Raymond Roley made his home in 2001 in Roscoe, PA.
- Granddaughter Nancy Lee Hall ( ? - ? ) remained in Uniontown for decades. She exchanged vows of marriage with (?) Jones and was in Uniontown in 2004.
- Granddaughter Patricia L. Hall (1950-2023) was born on July 26, 1950 in Uniontown. She was joined in wedlock with her high school boyfriend, Peter Kontaxes ( ? - ? ). Their union endured the ebbs and flows of a remarkable 52 years together. Four children they bore together were Michele Naurock, Diane Bruzzese, Jason Kontaxes and Jennifer Murphy. They established a longtime home in Kennerdell, Venango County, PA. Later in their marital journey, they moved cross-country to Laramie, WY and joined Snowy Range Baptist Church. Said an obituary, "A faithful woman, Patricia cherished her relationship with the Lord, her family, and her community. In her free time, she found joy in exploring new places and embarking on adventures with her family. Her vibrant spirit thrived in the great outdoors, where she indulged in horseback riding, hunting, snowmobiling, and boating on the lake behind their home in Wyoming. Patricia's talents extended to the kitchen, where she expressed her affection for others through her culinary creations, with her delectable pies being legendary." Stricken with cancer, she passed away in Denver at the age of 73 on Oct. 17, 2023.
Great-granddaughter Michele Kontaxes wed Victor Naurock. Evidence suggests that one daughter in this family is Lillian Naurock.
Great-granddaughter Diane Kontaxes married Domenic Bruzzese.
Great-grandson Jason Kontaxes tied the knot with Bethany.
Great-granddaughter Jennifer Kontaxes entered into marriage with Charles Murphy. They are believed to be the parents of five -- Hannah Murphy, Cody Murphy, Adam Murphy, Cecil Murphy, and Abigail Murphy.
- Granddaughter Kathy Hall married Larry Barber, son of Clyde and Amy (Bronson) Barber. Their home was in Perryopolis, PA in 1991-2004.
- Granddaughter Betty Hall tied the knot with (?) Fields. As of 1991, she made her dwelling-place in Belle Vernon, PA and in 2001-2004 in Monessen.
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| Percy "Fairview" Cemetery near Uniontown |
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Harold Seehoffer Courtesy Diane LM |
When his squad was immobilized by fire from enemy machineguns situated on high ground, Pvt. Seehoffer ran 50 yards through hostile sniper and semi-automatic fire to the right flank and silenced it by killing the two enemy gunners with rifle fire. Then volunteering to serve as a scout, he aggressively moved from building to building, eliminating resistance. Finally, despite heavy hostile automatic weapons fire, he reached a key building which was defended by a number of automatic weapons. With utter disregard for his safety, he unhesitatingly advanced upon the building alone, making himself a target so that his comrades could reach effective firing positions.
His remains sleep in honored rest in the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm. In October 1945, his mother received additional details of his final action and learned that he posthumously had been awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action. In a Morning Herald story in June 1946, he was named as one of 639 soldiers from Fayette County who had given their lives in the world war from all branches of the military.
- Granddaughter Dolores Louise Seehoffer (1932-1987) was born on Aug. 25, 1932. At her fifth birthday, her grandmother Nancy J. Sellers hosted a party in her home at Morgan Station. Dolores was just 10 when her mother died and then 13 years old when her father was killed at war. She was taken in by her grandmother Nancy Hall and moved to Lemont Furnace. When he posthumously was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action, Dolores accepted the medal at a student assembly at the Lemont School, and the Uniontown Morning Herald pictured her with her sister at the ceremony. Dolores took the surname Fike by 1953 and eventually married (?) Evans, moving to Ohio. She returned to Lemont Furnace and died in Jan. 1987, with burial in Park Place Cemetery in Uniontown.
- Granddaughter Eleanor Jean Seehoffer ( ? - ? ) - Her grandmother Nancy Sellers was named as her legal guardian. At the age of 18, on Aug. 12, 1952, she slipped away to Oakland, MD to enter into marriage with 22-year-old laborer John Ritz Jr. ( ? - ? ). News of their marriage license was printed in the Cumberland (MD) Evening Times. During their brief life together, they dwelled in Uniontown and were the parents of John Michael Ritz. But the marriage was troubled, and the couple separated, with her living on Connellsville Street in Uniontown and him moving to Hutchinson. On Eleanor's behalf, her grandmother filed for divorce in Oct. 1954, citing "indignities." The divorce was granted in March 1956, after many delays, with Eleanor initially to receive $25 per month in alimony, at a time when John was not working but was receiving unemployment compensation. By 1974, Eleanor may have wed again to (?) Smith.
Great-grandson John Michael Ritz (1955- ? ) was born in 1955. At his second birthday, a party was held in his honor and mentioned in the Uniontown Morning Herald. John tied the marital cord with Mary Catherine Smith ( ? - ? ). Together they bore a daughter, Lori Ann Ritz, born in 1974.
Copyright
© 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2017, 2019-2020, 2025 Mark A. Miner |
Minerd.com extends appreciation to Randy McKean and David Magiske for providing their Hall genealogy records. |