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Hill Grove Cemetery

Mark Hall was born in 1855 and grew up in Maple Summit, Fayette County, PA, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Hall and stepson of Elizabeth (Rowan) Hall.

At about age 24, in 1880, he resided by himself next door to his parents' home in Maple Summit and made a living as a laborer.

Mark married Eleanor Hall (Feb. 29, 1860-1943), the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Linderman) Hall. 

They bore these known children -- James A. "Garfield" Hall, William J. Hall, Myrtle Larue and Harrison Hall.

When the federal census was taken in 1900, the Halls dwelled in Stewart Township, where Mark was a farm laborer. Later, he obtained employment as a streetcar repairman, and the family moved to South Connellsville, where they resided circa 1908. He retired in about 1926, and continued to make their home on East Gibson Avenue.

Burdened with lobar pneumonia, added to cancer which had formed at the head of the femur, he died on Feb. 27, 1927. Burial was in Hill Grove Cemetery, and son William Hall of Connellsville was the informant for the official Pennsylvania certificate of death.

Eleanor survived her husband by 16 years and made her home at 406 Highland Avenue in Connellsville. Sadly, stricken with bladder cander, she died just three days before Christmas 1943. She joined her husband in eternal repose in Hill Grove Cemetery.

Hickman Chapel Cemetery

Son James A. "Garfield" Hall (1881-1908) was born on May 15, 1881 in Springfield Township, Fayette County. He was named for the recently slain president of the United States, James A. Garfield. At the age of 22, living in Ohiopyle, Garfield married 18-year-old Bertha J. Taylor (Sept. 20, 1884-1962), daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Boyd) Taylor of Ohiopyle and Dunbar Township. Justice of the peace I.F. Woodmancy officiated at the wedding, which was held on July 3, 1904. The couple produced two sons -- Donald "Wallace" Hall and William "Frank" Hall. They made their home in Ohio Pyle, where Garfield earned a living as a laborer. He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and joined the newly created Junior Order of American Mechanics. Sadly, his life was not destined to be long. In November 1908, at the age of 27, he contracted typhoid fever. Reported the Connellsville Weekly Courier, "It was thought for a time that he would stand chances of recovery but the Grim Reaper called him.... He was between 25 and 30 years of age." Garfield succumbed on Sept. 15, 1908. Burial was in the Whig Corner Baptist Church Cemetery, also known as Hickman Chapel, following funeral services held at the Baptist church in Ohio Pyle. His obituary in the Weekly Courier ended by saying "Mr. Hall leaves a host of relatives and friends who will regret his loss." Bertha outlived her spouse by a remarkable 54 years. She married again to Ephraim VanSickle (March 4, 1872-1943), also spelled "Ephriam" and "Efram" and the son of Isaac and Mary (Fike) VanSickle. The second marriage bore three additional offspring -- Daniel C. VanSickle, Ethel Van Sickle and Ralph Elton VanSickle. With the family remaining in Ohiopyle, Ephraim earned a living over the years as a coal miner. Grief blanketed the family on Jan. 2, 1943 when Ephraim was stricken with a heart attack and died at the age of 70. The Connellsville Daily Courier reported that he "was taken ill after eating his evening meal." After funeral services were held in the Ohiopyle Baptist Church, interment of the remains was in Sugar Grove Cemetery. The twice-widowed Bertha survived her second husband by nearly two decades. She succumbed to the Angel of Death just three days before Christmas 1962, at the age of 78, as a patient in Connellsville State General Hospital. Her remains were interred next to her first husband's, with Rev. G. Marion Smith preaching the funeral sermon. Bertha's son Daniel of Indian Head was the informant for her Pennsylvania certificate of death. An obituary in the Daily Courier noted that at the time of her passing, sons Wallace lived in Connellsville, Frank in Melcroft, Daniel in Indian Head and Ralph in Normalville, with an additional count of survivors as 23 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

The Hickman Chapel Baptist Church at Whig Corner had been constructed in 1901 on land formerly owned by Peter Tissue and M.C. Skinner and was named in memory of Rev. William H. Hickman, who had led the nearby Indian Creek Baptist Church for five years, from 1846 to 1851. Due to dwindling attendance and membership, worship services were discontinued at the chapel in the early 1980s. In 2017, the property was deeded to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy "to ensure its long-term preservation as part of the region's rural landscape, and pastoral and agrarian heritage."

Mining operations in the Connellsville coal fields

• Grandson Donald "Wallace" Hall (1905-1966) was born on April 5, 1905 in Ohiopyle. He was a few months beyond his third birthday at the untimely death of his father. Wallace married Susan "Frances" Bittner (Dec. 12, 1903-1949), daughter of Calvin J. and Anna L. (Fisher) Bittner. The nine children born to this union were Edna Ruth Hazlett, Anna Jane Jennings, Helen Stevenson, Donna Jean Swope, Roy E. Hall, Wilbert S. Hall, Donald "Buck" Hall, Ethel Hissem and Calvin James Hall. Their home was located in Champion, Saltlick Township, Fayette County. Wallace earned a living as a coal miner. At the age of about 30, Susan began to suffer from heart disease. She endured the illness for 15 years, but the problem worsened with increasing heart decomposion in late 1948. She died at the age of 45 on March 3, 1949. Interment was in Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Wallace married a second time to Marie ( ? - ? ). They moved into the city of Connellsville, with an address of 326 North Pittsburgh Street. Wallace at the age of 61 was was stricken with a heart attack and died later the same day on June 13, 1966.

Great-granddaughter Edna Ruth Hall (1939-2006) was born on Dec. 23, 1939 in Connellsville. She married Alfred R. Hazlett (1942- ? ). Their marriage endured for 44 years. The couple dwelled in Ligonier, Westmoreland County, PA. They were the parents of Karen DaSilva, Tammy Kasterko, Timothy L. Hazlett and Richard M. Hazlett. From 1991 to 1997, Edna and Alfred owned and operated the "Real McCoy's" restaurant in Fairfield Township. In retirement, the couple relocated to Florida, establishing a home in North Port, Sarasota County, FL. As her health failed, Edna was admitted to the Quality Health Care Nursing Center. There, she died on April 16, 2006. The remains were transported back to Fayette County to sleep for all time in Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Rev. Larry C. McDonnell officiated at the funeral service, with an obituary appearing in the Greensburg Tribune-Review.

Great-granddaughter Anna Jane Hall wedded (?) Jennings and lived in Findlay, OH.

Great-granddaughter Helen Hall was united in wedlock with (?) Stevenson. They have dwelled in Stahlstown, Westmoreland County.

Great-granddaughter Donna Jean Hall married (?) Swope. She was deceased by 2015.

Great-grandson Roy E. Hall moved to Auburn, IN and was there circa 2006-2015.

Great-grandson Wilbert S. "Web" Hall resided in Laughlintown, Ligonier Township, PA.

Great-grandson Donald Richard "Buck" Hall Sr. (1944-2015) was born on July 13, 1944 in Latrobe, Westmoreland County, PA. He was twice married. His first spouse was Barbara Raye Beatty ( ? - ? ). His second bride was Frances Ann (Collins) Sumner ( ? - ? ). All told, he was the father of three -- Frances "Rose" Phillips, Donald Richard Hall Jr. and Jason A. Hall. During his working career, Donald was employed as a housekeeper for the Harmon House Convalescent Center of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County. In this facility, many of our extended cousins have spent their final years. He liked to fish, golf and hunt in his free time. Circa 2006, his home was in Mount Pleasant. He was swept away by the Grim Reaper of Death at the age of 70 on Jan. 26, 2015. Interment of the remains was in Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Their daughter Rose dwelled in LaFayette, TN in 2023 and their son Jason in Auburn, IN. Their other son Donald Jr. was an alumnus of Mount Pleasant High School, resided in Acme, PA and earned a living as a carpenter. In his free time, Donald Jr. liked to ride his motorcycle. Sadly, Donald Jr. died at the age of 51, on April 14, 2023, in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg. He was survived by three children -- Travis Hall, Nicole Toth and Ethan Hall.

Great-granddaughter Ethel Mae Hall (1937-2004) was born on April 7, 1937 in Ohiopyle, Fayette County. She was joined in the bonds of matrimony with (?) Hissem ( ? - ? ). The couple bore five children -- John O. Hissem, Susan Hixson, Frances Will, Kevin M. Hissem and David A. Hissem. She held a membership in the Mt. Nebo Church of God but more regularly attended the Melcroft Assembly of God Church. Her final years were spent in Donegal, Westmoreland County. Ethel Mae succumbed to death at the age of 66 on March 6, 2004 while a patient in Latrobe Area Hospital. Her survivors included 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Pastor Timothy D. Bunney led the funeral service, with the Greensburg Tribune-Review printing an obituary.

Great-grandson Calvin James Hall Sr. (1927-2003) was born on Dec. 30, 1927 in Melcroft, Fayette County. He wedded Alverta Sleasman ( ? - ? ). Six children were born to this marriage -- James Calvin Hall Jr., Helen Fetterman, Patty Jellison, Roger W. Hall, John W. Hall Sr. and Michael L. Hall. For many years, Calvin was a truck driver employed by Latrobe Construction. He belonged to the Derry Rod and Gun Club. Calvin passed into eternity at the age of 75 on Dec. 10, 2003, while a patient in Latrobe Area Hospital. Burial was in Snowball Cemetery, with Rev. Larry C. McDonnell preaching. An obituary in the Greensburg Tribune-Review reported that he was survived by 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

• Frank and Goldie's grave, Hickman Chapel

  Grandson William "Frank" Hall (1907-1988) was born on May 11, 1907 and was a baby when his father died. Circa 1948, Frank was joined in wedlock with Goldie C. Dean (Aug. 2, 1907-1972), daughter of Harry and Eleanor (Holland) Dean of Ohiopyle. The Halls spent most of their married lives in Melcroft, Fayette County. They produced a family of 11 children -- James H. Hall, Frank Hall, Charles Hall, William E. Hall, David Hall, Donald Hall, Rozella Cox, Helen Cole, Jane Showman, Betty Emerick and one who died in infancy. Goldie helped support the family through her work for 21 years as a cook employed by Monticue Restaurant in Melcroft. They belonged to the Roadman-White Post of the American Legion and Mount Pleasant Veterans of Foreign Wars, and attended the Melcroft Pentecostal Church. Sadly, as a patient in Somerset Community Hospital, Goldie passed away on April 23, 1972. Pastor David Huey of the Millerstown Community Church led the funeral service. Frank lived for another 16 years. At the age of 80, he died on March 11, 1988. They rest for all time in Hickman Chapel Cemetery.

Great-grandson James H. Hall lived in Alexandria, VA in 1972.

Great-grandson Frank Hall made his home in Indian Head, Fayette County.

Great-grandson Charles Hall dwelled in 1972 in Melcroft, Fayette County.

Great-grandson William E. Hall established a residence in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County.

Great-grandson David Hall

Great-grandson Donald Hall relocated to Universal, IN.

Great-granddaughter Rozella Hall married John Cox and lived in Melcroft.

Great-granddaughter Helen Hall wedded Clifford Cole and resided in Melcroft.

Great-granddaughter Jane Hall was joined in wedlock with Frank Showman. They made a home in Melcroft.

Great-granddaughter Betty Hall was united in matrimony with Homer Emerick and put down roots in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County.

Son William J. Hall Sr. (1884-1953) was born on Oct. 28 1884 in Springfield Township. As a young man, he relocated to South Connellsville, where he eagned wages as a laborer. When he was 28 years of age, on May 18, 1912, he was wedded to 21-year-old Ora Richey (April 14, 1891-1975), daughter of James and Mary L. (Spiker) Richey of South Connellsville, with the couple uniting themselves in marriage. They went on to bear seven children -- Adelbert P. Hall, William J. Hall Jr., James I. Hall, Charles D. Hall, Raymond L. Hall, Dorothea Cutter and Loretta Hall. The family grieved when daughter Loretta died in infancy. The Halls lived in the 1950s on Isabella Avenue in Connellsville, with William employed as a laborer by Anchor Hocking Corporation. They were members of the Albright Evangelical United Brethren Church, and William belonged to the South Connellsville Volunteer Fire Company. Sadness blanked the Halls when, suffering from heart failure, William died at the age of 68, on March 6, 1953, in Connellsville State Hospital. Rev. R.A. Nelson presided at the funeral service, with burial in Chestnut Hill Cemetery. Ora spent her widowed years in the home of her son Adelbert on 435 Baldwin Avenue in Connellsville. She was admitted to Connellsville State General Hospital and died there at the age of 83 on Jan. 22, 1975. An obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier gave the count of her survivors as 21 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren.

William J. Hall's workplace, Anchor Hocking glass plant, South Connellsville

• Grandson Adelbert P. Hall ( ? - ? ) lived at 435 Baldwin Avenue in Connellsville in 1975.

• Grandson William J. Hall Jr. ( ? - ? ) established a home in Glouchester, NJ where he lived in 1953-1975.

• Grandson James I. Hall ( ? - ? ) served in the U.S. Navy in California during the Korean War. He later put down roots in Hayward, CA,.

• Grandson Charles David Hall ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). On May 7, 1949, he was joined in marriage with Merne Lorraine Pritchard ( ? - ? ), daughter of Clifford and Eva B. Pritchard. The nuptials were led by a dear friend, Rev. Levi Stoner, in his home on Woodlawn Avenue in Connellsville. The couple dwelled for years in South Connellsville at the address of 1802 Baldridge Street. Charles earned a living as a brakeman for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at its Connellsville yard. For their 25th wedding anniversary, in May 1974, their daughter Jenifer Lyn Tressler hosted a party in the Halls' residence, attended by 44 guests. The Connellsville Daily Courier pictured the couple in a related story.

• Grandson Raymond L. Hall ( ? - ? ) resided in Scottdale, Fayette County.

• Granddaughter Dorothea Hall ( ? - ? ) wedded Samuel Cutter ( ? - ? ). Circa 1953, when were in Youngstown, OH and in 1975 in Lowellville, OH.

Daughter Myrtle Hall (1888- ? ) was born in January 1888. She may have been wedded twice. Her first husband is thought to have been (?) Kailing. The couple produced two children, James W. Kailing and Lucy Marietta. Her second spouse was George B. Larue (Oct. 12, 1885-1946), the son of George and Susan (Tressler) Larue of Somerset County. During World War I, George served in the U.S. Armed Expeditionary Force (AEF) and received a lung injury which plagued him for the remainder of his life. In the mid-1920s, their home was in South Connellsville, where George was employed for 27 years as a conductor with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. Myrtle was very active in the community, and her name appeared scores of times in the Connellsville Daily Courier for her volunteer work. One of her groups was the Daughters of America, Magic Sister Council, where in 1935 she was on the Orphans Committee and in 1938 served as associate councilor. Another was the Lee Etta Lodge, No. 515 of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, which she joined in 1925 and where she achieved perfect attendance for more than a quarter of a century starting in 1932. In January 1946, she was admitted into membership of the R.W.B. Club of the Daughters of America, and circa 1951 she was active with the Salvation Army Ladies Home League. With the ability to easily travel via rail, in September 1934, she and Mrs. R.C. Smith of Connellsville traveled to Chicago to attend the popular Century of Progress Exposition. Then in 1954, she and friends Della Barkley, Lena Barkley, Lilly Fullem and Magdaline Morrison traveled to Chicago for a week of vacation, with stops in Lima and Athens, OH. George was a member of the local Elks, Eagles and American Legion posts and was actively involved in sporting affairs and in 1932 managed the N.W.A.C. team in a local mushball league. He also was named in news stories for his hunting and fishing. Circa 1933, their address was 215 Ogden Street and in 1946 was 615 West Crawford Avenue in Connellsville. Sadly, after what the Courier called "a lengthy illness," George died at home at the age of 61 the day after Christmas 1946. Rev. Meade M. Snyder, of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, officiated at the funeral and burial in Sylvan Heights Cemetery. The cause of death was hemorrhaging caused by pulmonary tuberculosis which in turn, wrote a physician, had been "activated + exaggerated by injury of World War I." Myrtle outlived her husband by many years and made her residence at 514 East Crawford Avenue.

Blue Stone Quarry where Harrison Hall was killed in 1926. Photo by H.J. Springer. Courtesy Donna Myers.

News coverage, 1926

Son Harrison Hall (1891-1926) was born on Oct. 19, 1891 (or Nov. 1890) in South Connellsville, Fayette County. He married Emma M. ( ? - ? ). They made a home on Gibson Avenue and bore two children. At the age of 35, Harrison was employed at the Connellsville Blue Stone Quarry at Connellsville, near Casparis, reporting to Fred Opperman. His marriage was troubled, however, and Harrison sued for divorce. Papers were prepared, and the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas was prepared to issue a decree in his favor. But cruel fate intervened. On April 19, 1926, while trying to connect a pipe high up in the quarry, Harrison slipped and fell from a 40-foot cliff, fracturing his skull and neck, and dying instantly. Funeral services were held in the home of his parents, led by Rev. J.A. Buffenmyer of the Church of the Brethren. His broken remains were placed into rest in Hill Grove Cemetery, in a plot where his parents would someday join him in eternal sleep. A related story in the Connellsville Daily Courier was headlined "Death Steps in to Prevent Divorce for Harrison Hall." The article went on to say that "He died a married man, however, and the widow will receive her share from any estate he may have had. Had he lived seven days more, he would have been a single man."

• Grandson Kenneth E. Kimmell (1948- ? ) was born in about 1948. He served in the U.S. Army for three years during the Vietnam War. Later, he moved to Jamesburg, NJ and secured a position with Staffer Chemical Company of Dayton, South Brunswick, NJ. Circa 1970-1971, he is believed to have married Rosemarie Johnston ( ? - ? ), daughter of Hilde Johnston of Jamesburg. Their engagement was published in the Uniontown Evening Standard. Rosemarie was an alumna of Jamesburg High School and Glassboro (NJ) State College and, at the time of marriage, served as an elementary teacher in the New Brunswick School System. As of 1973, the Kimmells lived in Garden City, NJ.

Son Lewis "Raymond" Hall (1918-1985?) was born in about 1918. He lived in South Connellsville in 1942-1946 and in Dunbar in 1958. Evidence suggests that he died in August 1985.