BIO: Elias W. HALE, M.D., Centre County, Pennsylvania

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Wayne Barner

Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/
_______________________________________________ 

Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the 
Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical 
Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
_______________________________________________ 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 78-79

ELIAS W. HALE, M. D., late of Bellefonte, Centre County, was born in Lewistown, 
Penn., in June, I 824, being in direct line of descent from Samuel Hale, the 
first of the family known in this country, who was one of the founders of 
Hartford, Conn., in 1637. He served in the Pequot war, for which service he 
received a grant of land. He was deputy for Norwalk.  He died at Glastonbury, 
Conn., in 1693. His son was Capt. Samuel (2), who was a deputy, and married a 
granddaughter of Thomas Welles, third governor of the Colony of Connecticut.  
The latter's son was Benjamin. Benjamin's son was Gideon, and the grandson of 
Gideon was Elias W. Hale, father of the subject of this sketch.
  Elias W. Hale (1) was born in Glastonbury, Conn., April 18, 1775. He was 
graduated from Yale College in 1794, and soon thereafter began the study of law 
with Charles Hall at Sunbury, Penn. After completing his law studies he located 
in Lewistown, Penn., where he followed his profession and became one of the 
ablest lawyers in that section. He married Jean Mulhollan, an estimable lady, 
who survived him many years. His death occurred February 3, 1832.  One of his 
daughters was the wife of the Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy under 
President Lincoln.
  Dr. Elias W. Hale, the fourth child and last survivor of six children, read 
medicine under the direction of J. B. Ard, M. D., graduated from the University 
of Pennsylvania, and for a number of years practiced the profession at 
Lewistown, then removed to Reedsville, Penn., where he pursued the same calling. 
In the spring of 1864 he located in Bellefonte, at which place his practice was 
somewhat limited. In 1874, in connection with William P. Duncan & Co., he bought 
the old mill, and went into the milling business under the firm name of Duncan, 
Hale & co. Mr. Duncan retired in 1882, and the firm was changed to Gerberich, 
Hale & Co., Mr. Gerberich managing the business. Dr. Hale was prominently 
connected with the Masonic fraternity, and he was well up in agricultural 
circles in the county and State. He always took a decided interest in 
agriculture, and invariably lent a hand to its advancement. He was one of 
Bellefonte's shrewdest businessmen, and was an influential citizen from 1864 
until the time of his death. He was probably one of the largest property owners 
in Bellefonte, possessing, in addition to his real estate in the town, a number 
of fine farms in Centre and adjoining counties, and his wealth would foot up 
hundreds of thousands of dollars. He was a partner in the Moshannon Banking Co., 
of Philipsburg, Penn. His death occurred in Mentone, Southern France, February 
20, 1892, whither himself and family had gone the October before for his health.
  Dr. Hale was twice married, his first wife being Miss Ellen Louise Steely, of 
the Kishacoquillas Valley, in Mifflin County, this State, by whom he had a son, 
Harry. His second wife, to whom he was married April 29, 1857, was Mary, 
daughter of Reuben B. and Sarah (Downing) Valentine, and their issue were: 
Sarah, who died in infancy, and Ellen, who is the wife of G.  Murray Andrews. 
The widow of Dr. Hale has descended on both sides from Quaker families, who for 
nearly two hundred years have been prominently identified with the history of 
the State. She is of the fifth generation from Thomas Valentine, who in about 
1720 came to America from Ireland, and with his family settled in Chester 
County, Penn. He was born in County Catherlough (now Carlow), Ireland, 9th 
month, 18, 1693, and died in 1747.  Her father, Reuben B. Valentine, was an 
ironmaster, and in 1815 with several brothers came to Centre County, where all 
were closely identified with the development of the iron industries of the 
county, and their sons after them. Reuben B.'s death occurred at Bellefonte, 
March 27, 1841. His wife, Sarah Downing, was of the 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 79

fourth generation from Thomas Downing, who was born 12th month, 14, 1691, at 
Bradninch, in Devonshire, England, and who in 1718 was a resident of Concord 
township, Chester County, Penn. Later he resided at Sadsbury, and still later at 
Downington, in the same county. Many of the names were farmers and millers.