Evening journal., 1908-01-27
GIVE PORTRAIT
OF JUDGE HALL
Judge ". c. SpruanCe Made
Presentation in Behalf of
Mrs. Sutherland Provost
CEREMONIES IN U. S. COURT


Hall. for many years judge Of the
United States Court for the District OF
Delaware, was presented to the United
States Court this morning. Mrs.
Sutherland Provost. Of Philadelphia.
granddaughter. Of the late judge, and
sister Of the late Willard Hall Porter,
was the donor. The presentation
sepech was made by Judge c. Spruance
and the picture was accepted by Judge
Gray In behalf of the Circuit Court ard
by Judge Bradford in behalf of the
District Court. both Of whom paid a
generous tribute to the distinguished
iurist. The portrait was a bust by
Frederick Hemwood. of Germantown,
Pa, who painted the Portraits of the
late Judge Edward G.. Bradford AMI
Judge Wales. The portraits Of Judge
G. Bradfrd and Judge Cunning Bed
ford were recently presented TO the
United States Court. The court room
was crowded with prominent persons
during thee Exercises.
Judge Spruance's address was a rare
tribute to Judge Hall as a lawyer and
man. Judge Spruance was brought
into personal contact with Judge Hall
during his latter years, and was
Neculiarly fitted to express an appreci-
alton After speaking of the honor
reposed in him, Judge Spruance said in
part:
Willard Hall was born in the town
Of Westford. Middlesex county. in the
state of Massachusetts,, on the oath of
December, $780, His father, Willis Hall,
was born and cid in that town. His
mother Mehetabel Pole, was a native
Of Hollis in the State Of New Hamp-
shire. He was descended from Will
lard, who with her brother, Major
Simon Willard. came from the county
Of Kent in England and settled in
Cambridge. Mass, in 1894. Among his
New England ancestors were many
persons of prominence. some of whom
occupied positions of distinction under
the Colonial governments.
His mother was a pious woman Of great
force of character. His grandfather, the
Rev. willard Hall. was a learned and
distinguished divine. who devoted much
OF his time to the cause OF education.
Graduated From Harvard.
in 1895 and graduated in 1799 In 1900 he
began the study of law under the dlrec-
ton OF Samuel Dana, Of Groton, Mass.
then one Of the leaders Of the bar in his
State. Many years afterwards Mr.. Dana
wrote to his former pupil: I had no mis-
giving concerning you. was as confident
Of your success. as a farmer is of a crop
from a we'll cultivated field After three
years Of study In Mr.. Dana's office he was
admitted 10 the bar in Hillsborough coun-
ty, n. H., in March 1909
"While revolving the question as to a
place of settlement, his attention was
called to a speech Of the elder James A.
Bayard. then a distinguished member Of
Congress from this State. in which Mr.
Bayard spoke Of the elevated character
Of the Delaware bar. AS Judge Hall after
wards wrote. The gentlemanly and fav.
orablo answer Of Mr.. Bayard induced me
to make a choice of this State for prose.
cutting my profession
Leaving his fathers home April 1903
he made the journey to Delaware on
horseback in nine days on his arrival in
Wilmington he continued his Journey to
Georgetown, where he was examined by
a committee composed of Mr. Bayard and
James p. Wilson and was admitted TO the
bar Of this State. Shortly after his ad-
mission to the bar, he settled in Dover
where he practiced law for the next 20
years
TN 1912 he was appointed secretry of
State by Governor Haslett In 1916 he was
elected to Congress and reelected In ISIS.
He declined a third election. In 1921 he
was appointed secretary OF State by Gov
ernor Collins and in 1892 he was elected
a member OF the state Senate.
Appointed to Bench.
I'm May. 1923. upon the decease VI
Judge Fisher, he was appointed by
President Monroe district judge Of the
United States for the district Of Della
ware Soon after this, he removed to
Wilmington where he resided until
death.
In 1929, under an act rassc In 1929,
an edition OF the laws was :'assed
under his direction, which served as
the wade mecum of the Delaware bar
for 20 years. In 1881 he was elected
delegate from New Castle county TO the
constitutional convention Dover NO
vember s. 1851 He was much inter-
ested in the establishment of free
schools. He was for 30 years presi-
dent Of the Delaware State Bible So
ciety. In 1871 ne resigned and died
May 10, 1875. 95 years old.
1T is fit that some memorial Of this
faithful public servant be placed in
this room, where sa tthe courts over
which he so long presided. And now
in behalf Of his granddaughter, Mrs
Sutherland Provost, I have the honor
TO present to the United States Court
Of this district, this life-llke portraii
Of this venerable man to remain here
as an inspiration to those both judges
and lawyers, who may be engaged in
the administration Of justice IN rais