The Press., 1922-02-23
COL. WILLIAM HENRY HALL

here on Wednesday morning of last week of the sudden death from heart failure of Colonel William Henry Hall at DaytOna. Florida. A few weeks ago Colonel and Mrs. w. H. Hall, ac- companied by MT. and Mrs. Page of Springfield, Mass, and Mir. and Mrs. William Park of Stafford. left for Davtona, Florida where they were registered at the Ridgewood hotel. His death occurred shortly after mid night or early Wednesday morning, Colonel Hall having remained up to do some writing and while thus engaged he was stricken with the fatal disease and fell to the floor dead. Frank Web CT assistant manager of the hotel was at his side in a moment. Three doctors were instantly summoned and when they arrived within few min
 utes they found that he had died in stantly. Up to the moment of his death the Colonel had appeared in the best of health. In the morning he had been playing golf, as was his custom mornings since arriving at DaytOna. ' of the town of Willington. and also outside of his home town. His many meritOriOus deeds in Holland county are we'll known to all who had the pleasure of assOciating themselves with him. He was always loyal to his friends. and the many ways in which he bore himself in political struggles. commanded the respect of his adversaries. Colonel Hall was a member of the republican state cen tral committee for the past twenty years. He was real leader. In pOli- tics he had a broad vision with no spirit of compromise and was willing at all times to go down to defeat rather than fOrsake the princiules he believed in. He was generous to fault and his personality will | Q greatly missed Colonel Halls public service extended over 30 years. He was prominent in the Connecticut legislature for 24 years. Tn 1892 he was elected representative from Will lingtOn the first time. He was representative in the house in the session of 1893 -1895-189 7-19G5- 1911-1913-1915-1919. In 1899 hc was elected to his first term as senator, representing the old twenty fourth district. III 1917 and 1921 the 35th district elected him. In the sen ate he was chairman of roads, rivers and bridges and lat or committees and as a member of the contested elections appointments, and other committees. He was president pro-tem of the last senate. In the last convention Which nominated Everett J. Lake for govern or he announced his vote for Lake and threw the votes which had cen cast for himself for a nomination. after there had been a contest over other candidates. Colonel Hall has cen cOnspicious in republican state con ventiOns for many years. He attended every state convention of the party since he attained his majority. He also attended five republican national conventions. The first nominated Roosevelt in 1904, the second named Taft 190S the third Taft 1912 the fourth Hughes 1916, the fifth Harding in 1920. Colonel Hall was the repre- sentative of South WillingtO in con- stitutiOnal convention in 1902 During the administration of Gov Henry Roberts, he was paymaster general on the governors staff which appoint ment gave him the rank of Colonel.
  wide importance LefOre the 1929 con- ventiOn was in the caucus of republi- can senator electors the eve of the 1917 session of the legislature For weeks indications had Teen that Sena- tor Frederick A. Bartlett of Brid geport would be renominated without contest, but Colonel Hall made it known that he was a candidate and expected to get the Fairfield county delegation solid. Fearing a move by former national committeeman John T. King of Bridgeport to seize control of -the legislature, other senators prevailed upon senator Henry H. Lyman Of Middlefeld, to become a candidate. and he was elected over Colonel Hall in warm caucus fight. Colonel Hall was associated with many enterpri- seS vice-president and director of the Windham Silk company of Williman- tic, a director of the American La France Fire Engine Co.,, of Elmira, New York, director of the Williman- tic and Rockville lighting Co.,, and vice president and director of the Stafford Worsted Corp. He was vice president and director of the Willi- mantle Trust Co.,, and a director of the First National Bank of Stafford Springs. He was also a trustee of the Cyril Johnson hospital at Stafford Springs. One of his interests in az riculture found play in agricultural societies. He was president of the Stafford Springs agricultural Society and was ever working hard to promote its welfare. He was long a vice pres 1dent and director of the old Connecti- cut State Agricultural society of Der lin. About one year ago Colonel Hall was elected to the presidency of the Metabetchuan Fish and Game club, which maintains camp near Kiskis- sing, Province of Quebec. It was un- derstOOd that Colonel Hall was con- templating going to the camp during the coming spring with Governor Lake, who became member about. six months ago. Colonel Hall at tended the town school here and later the Windham high school at Willi- mantle. After two years there he went to Wesleyan Acamemy at Will Draham, Mass, and graduated in 1888, entering Wesleyan University at Mid dletoWn from which he graduated in 1892. At the university he was cap- tain of the college football team coached by Woodrow Wilson, former
 
 other college athletics. Colonel Hall was a generous donor to Wesleyan. a gift of $150,000 being made few years ago by the Hall family. Col onel William Henry Hall was the son of Mir. and Mrs. Gardiner Hall. Jr.. and was born here May 31, 1867. The l family genealogy is traced to the 1 Halls of Coventry. Warwickshire, En- 1 gland, descendants of whom settled | in Plymouth colony in 1880. During | the World War Colonel Hall played a l part among the civilian l activities. He and Dr. W. L. Higgins 1 were the district representative in | the state council of defense and large 1 ly through Colonel Halls activities. Holland county attained conspicious place in war accomplishments. Col onel Hall was former trustee of the Connecticut Agricultural college un- :