Granville Davisson Hall (1837-1934) Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
West Virginia and Regional History Center
West Virginia & Regional History Center
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6069
1549 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26506
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lori Hostuttler
Phone: (304) 293-3536
Restrictions:

No special access restriction applies.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Granville Davisson Hall (1837-1934) Papers, A&M 0042, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
1.3 Linear Feet 1 ft. 3.5 in. (2 document cases, 5 in. each; 1 document case, 2.5 in.; 1 flat storage box, 3 in.)
Creator:
Hall, Granville Davisson, 1837-1934
Abstract:
Correspondence and writings of Granville Davisson Hall, reporter for the Wheeling Intelligencer during the Wheeling conventions, 1861-1863; secretary of state of West Virginia, 1865-1873; and author of numerous works of fiction and historical studies about West Virginia.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Granville Davisson Hall (1837-1934) Papers, A&M 0042, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Correspondence and writings of Granville Davisson Hall, reporter for the Wheeling Intelligencer during the Wheeling conventions, 1861-1863; secretary of state of West Virginia, 1865-1873; and author of numerous works of fiction and historical studies about West Virginia. Includes correspondence (1861-1947, undated), mainly regarding personal matters, the early statehood period, and Civil War activities in West Virginia; and typescript copies and drafts of numerous articles by Hall (some of which were published) on topics including West Virginia statehood, the U.S. Constitution and government, and other historical subjects (ca. 1896-1925, undated). Also includes miscellaneous typescript articles, newspaper clippings, and memoranda regarding politics and history (1863-1928, undated); and miscellaneous printed material from the First Constitutional Convention of West Virginia (1861-1863). The majority of the correspondence and miscellaneous material post-dates statehood.

Series include:
Series 1. Correspondence; 1861-1947, undated; box 1.
Series 2. Writings by G.D. Hall; ca. 1896-1925, undated; box 2, folders 1-47.
Series 3. Miscellaneous; 1863-1928, undated; box 2, folder 48 - box 3.
Series 4. Printed Material; 1861-1863; box 4.

Biographical / historical:

Granville Davisson Hall (September 17, 1837 – June 24, 1934) was an American journalist, businessman and politician who helped found the state of West Virginia. He was born in New Salem, Virginia now Harrison County, West Virginia where he began his career as a school teacher at the early age of 17. In 1859, he left Harrison County to work in the printing office of the Wheeling Intelligencer. He remained in Wheeling only a few months, but he returned to record the proceedings of the Wheeling Conventions, 1861-1863. He was also an editior and writer for that newspaper. Hall served as the Secretary of State of West Virginia, 1865-1867, and as the private secretary of the first governor, Arthur Boreman. After the Civil War, Hall became involved in the railroad industry in Kentucky and eventually became President of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Later he moved to Glencoe, Illinois where he continued writing and served as the village clerk. He died there at the age of 96. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Dolly Hancher Hall, originally from Wheeling, and by two sons.

Adapted from articles in Wikipedia and the West Virginia Encyclopedia, as well as his obituary in the Wheeling Intelligencer and a roadside marker near Shinnston, West Virginia.

Physical location:
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard