Biography:

Dr. William Robert Hall was born in Richmond Hill, Ontario on the 10th of February, 1852.  Dr. Hall was the 6th of 11 children born to Henry Hall and the former Elizabeth Lennon.   His father Henry Hall was a successful manufacturer of agricultural implements and a devoted Christian man.  Dr. Hall’s siblings were; Ellen Ann Hall, Henry Charles Hall, George James Hall, John Joseph Hall, Anna Maria Hall, Elizabeth Hannah Hall, twins James Langstaff Hall and Thomas Sylvester Hall, Norman Edward Hall and Frances “Frank” Walter Hall.  Dr. Hall’s father died in Blenheim in 1877.  His mother died in 1903 and they were buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Blenheim.

Dr. William Hall attended Richmond Hill Elementary and Secondary School.  According to the 1871 census, the Hall family was living in Harwich Twp, in Chatham-Kent and Mr. Hall’s occupation was listed as a carriage maker.  According to that same census Dr. Hall was 19 years old and his occupation was listed as a “moulder”.  In 1874, he started studying medicine at the old Detroit Medical College (which later became the Detroit College of Medicine).   He graduated M.D. in 1878.

Dr. Hall married Eleanor Louise Minturn on the 7th of September, 1880 in Detroit.  Mrs. Hall was born on the 6th of June, 1856 in Guelph, Ontario.  She was the 3rd of 8 children born to Adam Minturn and the former Anne Jane Thompson.  Her father was a carpenter and her siblings were; Elizabeth Minturn, Sarah Jane Minturn (who died on the 6th of July 1861 at the age of 6), Lewis E. Minturn, Letitia A. Minturn, Arthur T. Minturn, Alice Maud Minturn and Laura Isabel Minturn.  Her family moved to Detroit when she was a young child and her sister’s Alice and Laura were born in Detroit.  According to the 1880 census, Mrs. Hall was a store clerk and her family resided at 93 Leverette Street (Detroit).

Dr. and Mrs. Hall had two children; Fredric William Hall was born in Toronto on the 3rd of February, 1882 and Edith Margaret Hall was born in Chatham in 1888.  At the time of his son’s birth in 1882, the Hall family resided at 72 Sydenham Street in York.

After practicing medicine for 5 years, Dr. Hall returned for postgraduate studies in New York and Trinity College in Toronto. Between these two institutions he received the degree’s of M.C.P.S.O. in 1884.

Dr. William Hall joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 24th of April, 1884.  Dr. Hall moved his family to Chatham in 1885 and he set up a general medical practice on Fifth Street.  According to Soutar’s Chatham Directory of 1885, he resided at Oldershaw’s Row on Raleigh Street.  That same year, he set up a medical practice with Dr. John Phillips Sivewright in Wallaceburg.  Also in 1885, Dr. Hall was named the first Medical Officer of Health, a position he held for the rest of his life. Dr. Hall was a member of the Chatham Medical Society, the Canadian Medical Society, the Pan American Health Officers Association and the Canadian Health Officer’s Association.

According to the 1892 Chatham Directory, Dr. Hall was the Town Physician.  According to the 1896 Chatham City Directory, Dr. Hall was in partnership with Dr. William Henry Tye and their office was located at 181 King Street.

Dr. William Hall was nominated for the Conservative candidacy for West Kent in 1898 but failed to win the election.  He opened a new medical office on King Street in September of 1900.

In 1902 Dr. Hall was instrumental in coping with an outbreak of smallpox.  Dr. Arthur Henry Paget travelled to Chatham from Elora and assisted Dr. Hall.  An article appeared in the Elora Express on the 5th of March, 1902 with the following tribute, “To Whom It May Concern: This certifies that Dr. A. H. Paget of Elora, attended professionally smallpox patients, for the City of Chatham, for a period of six weeks, during which time he attended thirty-six patients, all of whom recovered, and none of whom were pitted by the disease.  His services were very much appreciated by the city, and by the patients, because he gave entire satisfaction to all.  We recommend the doctor for his professional ability, and his sterling qualities as an agreeable and broad minded gentleman.  Wm. R. Hall, M.H.O.”  The article went on to say that the patients were treated in smallpox tents set up on the exhibition grounds and heated with coal stoves.

According to an article that appeared in the Chatham Daily Planet on the 25th of July, 1903, Dr. Hall had built one of the first cottages in Erieau.  According to that same article, Dr. Hall had a near fatal canoe accident in the channel at Erieau.  When the canoe capsized he was unable to swim and he clung to the canoe, until he could be rescued.  Dr. Hall belonged to a number of fellowships and community organizations, including the I.O.O.F.

Dr. Hall was president of a number of business’s including The Chatham Mineral Water Company, the Chatham Hedge Fence Company and the Chatham Oil Company, which was active in oil development in Chatham-Kent. Dr. Hall was an Honorary Captain and paymaster of the 24th Kent Regiment.

Dr. Hall enjoyed fishing in his spare time.

Dr. Hall died in Chatham on the 21st of August, 1915.  Mrs. Hall died in Chatham at St. Joseph’s Hospital on the 9th of May, 1921.  Dr. and Mrs. Hall were buried at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham.

*Dr. Hall’s brothers James Hall, Thomas Hall and Frank Hall all became physicians.  

**Dr. John Phillips Sivewright, Dr. William Henry Tye and Dr. Hall’s son, Dr. Frederic William Hall are also featured on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.

Tombstone Photo Credit: Anne F.