Clark County WA Archives Biographies.....Hall, Joseph E. November 11, 1883 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wa/wafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com September 18, 2009, 4:09 pm Source: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company JOSEPH E. HALL. Among the capable and successful lawyers of the Columbia River valley stands Joseph E. Hall, who has rendered able and efficient service as prosecuting attorney of Clark county and is now a member of the well known law firm of Hall & La Londe, at Vancouver. Mr. Hall was born in Portage county, Ohio, on the 11th of November, 1883, and is a son of Wilber A. and Manie (Morris) Hall, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Illinois. Wilber Hall was reared and educated in his native state and went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he owned a store. In 1894 he came to Washington and took up a homestead of heavy timber land at Yacolt Prairie, in the northern part of Clark county, his coming to that state having been prompted by his interest in timber, as well as for the benefit of his health. The family resided on that ranch about eight years, but after living there two years Mr. Hall opened a candy shop in Vancouver, which he conducted during the winter months, returning to the ranch in summer, doing this in order to pay the expenses of his children in school. In 1902 he sold the homestead and bought a small improved farm, which he operated for a few years, and then moved to Brush Prairie, where he established a general merchandise store, to which he is still giving his attention. He served as postmaster of Brush Prairie for several years and has been prominent in the affairs of that locality. To him and his first wife were born four children, namely: Mrs. Grace Cobb, of Willoughby, Ohio; Charles W., who is a lawyer in Vancouver and is now a member of the state legislature; Harold M., who is an electrical engineer in Los Angeles, California, and Joseph E. For his second wife Mr. Hall chose Miss Mattie L. Phile, to which union were born three children: Mrs. Dorothy Tipperary, of Portland, Oregon; Leland,, who is at home; and Walter, who is attending high school. Joseph E. Hall attended the public schools of Vancouver, graduating from high school in 1904, after which he had one year in the University of Washington. He then studied under his uncle, G. R. Percival, who was later mayor of Vancouver and is now deceased. At this time his father’s business was increasing to such an extent that his assistance was required, and soon after they entered into a partnership, under the name of W. A. Hall & Son, which existed until 1915, when the business was sold. In the meantime Mr. Hall had continued his law studies and in January, 1919, he was admitted to the bar. In the fall of 1918 he had been elected county clerk and clerk of the superior court of Clark county, in which positions he served two years, and then was elected prosecuting attorney for a six-year term. While the incumbent of that office he prosecuted a number of noted cases, among which were the Whitfield and Bolen murder trials and the case involving the robbery of the Sells-Floto circus, and throughout his official term he proved a keen, determined and resourceful prosecutor and met with notable success. About the time of his election to the office of prosecuting attorney Mr. Hall entered into a partnership with ex-Judge R. H. Back and Dale McMullen, at that time court reporter and now prosecuting attorney, under the firm name of Back, Hall & McMullen, the firm existing until Mr. Hall’s retirement from office, when it was dissolved, after which Mr. Hall was alone in practice until he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Lloyd F. La Londe, with whom he is still associated. This has proven a strong combination and they are enjoying a large and representative clientele. In 1909, at Brush Prairie, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Neva M. La Londe, who was born in Nebraska and is a daughter of Edward and Leonia (DuBois) La Londe, who brought their family to this state in 1904. Mr. La Londe gave his attention to farming here for a number of years, but he and his wife are now residing in Vancouver. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are the parents of three children, Leona M., Barbara E. and Betty Lou. Mr. Hall is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained the fourteenth degree of the Scottish Rite; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Grange and the Chamber of Commerce, while Mrs. Hall belongs to the Junior Aid Society of the Presbyterian church. During Mr. Hall’s term as prosecuting attorney the State Judicial Council was established, and by virtue of his office he became one of the first members of that body. The council was formed for the purpose of recommending to the supreme court of the state changes in the rules of court procedure and is composed of two members of the supreme court, three superior court judges, two members of the bar, one of whom must be a prosecuting attorney, and the chairmen of the judicial committees of both branches of the legislature. This council has done splendid work and Mr. Hall is justifiably proud of his identification with it. He has always been deeply interested in matters affecting the welfare of the communities in which he has lived and while at Brush Prairie served two years as postmaster after he and his father had sold their store. Personally, he is of cordial and friendly manner, has a wide acquaintance throughout Clark county, and commands the respect and confidence of all who know him. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 146-147 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/clark/bios/hall59gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/wafiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb