Chester Clay Hall (1898 - 1995)

Born 20 Jan 1898 in Urich, Henry, Missouri, United States

Ancestors

Died 13 Apr 1995 at age 97 in Nevada, Vernon, Missouri, United States

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Biography

Chester Clay Hall was born 20 January 1898 in Bogard Township near Urich, Missouri, the son of Orien Oranza Hall and Martha Susan Hendrick. ^[1] He lived with his family in Henry County, until they moved to near Cedarvale, Torrance County, New Mexico, for his father's health. The family didn't like New Mexico, moved back to Missouri after 1910. The father returned to New Mexico for a while, but missed his family too much to stay.

Chester was educated in the Cornett School in Big Creek Township, Henry County, Missouri. He and his brother Paul later did some cowboying in New Mexico and Texas. He became a member of the Masonic Order when eligible. Chester was primarily engaged in farming as a young man.^[2]

He apparently moved to Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri, as that is the address he gave on his marriage license application. He was married 24 October 1933 at Butler, Missouri, to Della Mae (Stoneking) Martin,^[3] who had a young daughter, Laverne by her first marriage. Chester and Della divorced about 1943.

After his first marriage failed, Chester moved to the state of California in the Los Angeles area, where he was engaged in construction work. While in California, he met and married Ruth Pearl Ritchey.

Chester worked for Joseph Pohl Construction Company and rose to the rank on construction superintendent. Before 1950, he and Ruth moved to Nevada, Missouri, where the company was headquartered, and where they are found on the 1950 census. Like many who were engaged in the construction business, Chester moved his residence several times. He retired to his home in Nevada, Missouri, but was often called back to work for short periods.^[2]

After his wife, Ruth, died, Chester's first wife contacted him. She was also living in Nevada, Missouri, and saw his wife's obituary in the newspaper. She called to express her condolences, they got together again and were married again. Chester sold his large house and moved in with Della, where they lived until their deaths. As he aged, Chester's vision failed, until he was blind.^[4]

Chester Hall passed away 13 April 1995 in Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri. ^[5] He is buried in Urich Cemetery beside his first wife.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Orien Oranza Hall family Bible, 2023 in possession of Margaret Ann (Kepner) Kerns, 729 NW 1101 Road, Urich, Missouri 64788-8121
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Hall, Chester Clay, Nevada, Missouri (now deceased) interviews with his niece, Margaret Ann (Kepner) Kerns, 729 NW 1101 Road, Urich, Missouri 64788-8121; various dates
3. ↑ Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002 for Chester Cley Hall; Bates County; Record Images For Bates; 1928- page 69 of book, Image 237 of 404
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Kerns, Margaret Ann (Kepner) personal knowledge 13 April 1995
5. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V3JD-24H : 20 May 2014), Chester C Hall, 13 Apr 1995; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).

• "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRVR-YWK?cc=1727033&wc=QZZ4-ZW6%3A133638501%2C135872501%2C135911401%2C1589092053 : 24 June 2017), New Mexico > Torrance > Pinos Wells > ED 276 > image 5 of 18; citing NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).