Lake County IN Archives Biographies.....Hale, William F.  1866 - 
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Author: T. H. Ball (1904)

WILLIAM F. HALE.

    William F. Hale, for a number of years one of the forceful and honored
factors in commercial circles in East Chicago and one whose influence has not
been a minor element among the business men of his portion of the state, has
attained to prominence through the inherent force of his character, the exercise
of his native talent and the utilization of surrounding opportunities. His
business career excites the admiration and has won the respect of his
contemporaries, yet it is not this alone that entitles him to rank among the
foremost men of his adopted city. His connection with the public interests here
has been far-reaching and beneficial, for he has aided in shaping the municipal
policy and in promoting many interests for the general good. His patriotic
citizenship and his interest in community affairs has taken tangible form in his
zealous labors for the improvements instituted through aldermanic measures, and
as mayor of the city he is giving a practical, business-like administration that
is of marked benefit.

     Mr. Hale was born in London, Canada, March 1, 1866, and is a son of Levi
and Robena (Robertson) Hale. In the paternal line he is a representative of a
New England family. His grandfather, William Hale, a native of Vermont, was a
contractor engaged in the building of railroads and public works. Leaving his
native state he removed to London, Canada, where he died when more than sixty
years of age. He wedded Mary Robinson and they reared a large family, including
Levi Hale, who was also born in Vermont. He became a farmer by occupation and
removed from the Green Mountain state to Canada, but in 1877 returned to his
native country, residing for a time in Cleveland, Ohio. Subsequently he went to
Missouri, settling at Columbia, that state, but later he returned to Cleveland
and afterward established his home at Lima, Ohio. He next took up his abode at
North Baltimore, that state, and thence came to East Chicago in the summer of
1903, living now a retired life at this place. He was united in marriage to Miss
Roberta Robertson, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and is a daughter of James
Robertson, also a native of the land of the hills and heather. He was a very
religious man and a colporteur. He owned a farm near London, Canada, and there
spent his remaining days, dying at an advanced age. His wife, Mrs. Jane
Robertson, has also passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Levi Hale were born seven
children, four sons and three daughters, of whom six are now living: William F.;
James R., of Hallsville, Missouri; Margaret, who died aged twenty-three years;
Charles L., of Cleveland, Ohio; Aurilla, the wife of Samuel Henderson, of
Cygnet, Ohio; Rolla P., of East Chicago, Indiana; and Miss Hallie Hale, of East
Chicago, Indiana.

    William F. Hale was a young lad when taken by his parents from Canada to
Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the public schools of that city and after putting
aside his text books he learned and followed the hammersmith's trade, devoting
several years to that business. He afterward entered the employ of the Brownell
Improvement Company in Lake county, Illinois, in the capacity of superintendent,
and in 1900 he entered into partnership with C. D. Moon, of East Chicago, as
dealers in wood, coal, ice and building materials. They still conduct the
business under the firm style of Moon & Hale, and have established a leading
commercial enterprise of the town, securing a good patronage which is constantly
growing in volume and importance. Their business methods are found to be
thoroughly reliable, and they have never been known to take advantage of the
necessities of their fellow men in any trade transactions.

    On the 12th of October, 1891, Mr. Hale was united in marriage to Miss
Elizabeth Williams, a daughter of James and Jane Williams. The circle of their
friends in East Chicago is almost co-extensive with the circle of their
acquaintances. Mr. Hale is a valued representative of the Masonic fraternity,
holding membership in East Chicago Lodge No. 595, F. & A. M.; Hammond Chapter,
R. A. M.; and Hammond Commandery No. 41, K. T. He is also connected with the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and the
Knights of the Maccabees.

    Politically he has always been a Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of
the principles of the party. He was first called to public office to serve as
clerk of East Chicago, which position he filled for two years, and then in May,
1898, he was elected mayor and by re-election has since been continued in the
office. In May, 1904, he was again elected mayor for a term of two years. No
citizen of East Chicago is more thoroughly representative or more devoted to the
promotion of her welfare than Mr. Hale, whose name is widely known for the
prominent part he has taken in local affairs. Without doubt, he is one of the
most progressive and public-spirited men of Lake county, and his means and
influence have been used unsparingly in advancing enterprises, industries and
improvements in this place, now one of the most flourishing towns in Indiana.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

ENCYCLOPEDIA
OF
Genealogy and Biography
OF
LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA,
WITH A COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY 
1834—1904

A Record of the Achievements of Its People in the Making of a Commonwealth and
the Founding of a Nation.

REV. T. H. BALL
OF CROWN POINT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO   NEW YORK
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1904


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