New Britain herald., 1922-02-15
Dean of Legislature.

Col. William Henry Hall. president pro tempore of the last senate was the dean in point of service of all legislators in Connecticut. He also had been for many years one of the most Striking figures in republican state politics and in the legislature. A republican at all times he was also one of those termed Independent Tn his actions, his speeches his attitude on party questions and in his support of candidates within the party lines. From the town of Willington, in which he was born on May 31, 1867, he had sat in the house in the sessions Of 1893, 1895, 1899. 1905, 1909, 1911. 1913, 1915 and 1919, and had thrice gone into the senate from his dls- trict-in 1899 when he was the youngest member of that body and in 1917 and 1921. He was president pro tempore of the last senate and was a candidate for that place in 1917. Col Hall also went to the constitu- [ tional convention of 1902. In com- rnittee work at the legislature he had served on many committees. number of times as a chairman. In the house sessions he sat on mid aisle and no rrobably had that seat for tho greater part of his career in the lower house.
 Veteran Politician
 In state politics Col. Hall had been delegate to every state republican convention since 1888, and probably attended every one. In many of these conventions in recent years he was one of those who took part in the floor debates In the last convention which nominated Everett J. Lake for governor he announced his vote for Lake and then secured for him the votes which had been cast for him self for the nomination after there had been a contest over other candl- dates II was said that the introduc- ton of Mr. Lakes name came as a surprise and was the result of con- versation in, an ante room of the con- vention hall over . seeming dead lock in the ballotipg. It is said that a suggestion was made that Mir. Lakes name be brought into the balloting and Col Hall was asked if he would do it. His reply is said by those who were present tO nave UtSh.
 Supporter of Lake
 "l will do anything l can to help Everett Lake" He expressed opin- ion, however that with the situation as it was and Lake not even men, toned as a candidate, that there was nothing but forlorn hope. few minutes later a rumor spread through
 
 sibility of Mir. Lakes name being brought into the balloting. On the next ballot Col. Hall took the aisle and made short speech and ended by casting his vote for Mr. Lake, and asking those who had been voting. for him (HalD to do likewise. Mir. Lake was nominated.
 At Five National Conventions.
 Col. Hall went to five national re- publican conventions as a district deleeate--to those which nominated Theodore Roosevelt, Mir, Taft twice, Mir. Hughes and Mir. Harding for the presidency. He served as paymaster general on the staff of Governor Henry Roberts.
 Col. Hall was graduated from Wcs- leyan university in 1892 and was trustee of that institution. He was also a liberal donor to it's many ac- tivities.
 In his business life he constituted with his father. now deceased, the thread making firm of Gardiner Hall. Jr. and Co. Of South Wilmington. Thread making had been in the fam lily for long period In his business connections Col. Hall he'd many with financial trade and manufacturing or He also was an agricul- turaist, raised hlooded stock, liked harness racing, was interested in in- land fisheries and game and varied in- terestS in many ways and liberally contributed out of ample means to a great many things for social better ment,
 Had Five Children
 Col Hall was married on June t4. 1894 to Alice May. daughter of Judge and Mrs. William D. Holman. Five children were born to them, Doris Elizabeth. Gardiner Holman. Clara Alice, Holman Henry and Frances Helen Hall several of whom are mar ried
 Col Hall was a S2nd degree Scot tish Rite Mason and a Shriner with affiliation with most of the bodies in Hartford He was also an Odd Fel- low and a granger; a director of the Berkshire Cotton Co., the Windham Silk Co.,; had been a county game and had recently re- of StotC of agriculture to become member or