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BRAXTON COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA
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Submitted to the West Virginia Biographies Project by:
Valerie & Tommy Crook
vfcrook@trellis.net
November 26, 1999
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The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume III,
pg. 319-320
Braxton
VAN B. HALL. The profession of the law offers unex-
ampled opportunities for advancement, not only along pro-
fessional lines, but in politics as well, and it is a notable
fact that many of the distinguished men of this country
today, as they were in the past, are recruited from the ranks
of this learned calling. One of the leading men of Brax-
ton County, who has won laurels both as an attorney and in
the office of prosecuting attorney, is Van B. Hall, engaged
in practicing at the Sutton bar.
Van B. Hall was born in Meigs County, Ohio, March 30,
1870, a son of R. M. and Sarah A. (Duvaull) Hall, the
former born in Marion County in 1828 and the latter born
in Harrison County in 1830. R. M. Hall was a minister of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. They moved to Braxton
County when their son Van B. Hall was six years old. Mr.
Hall was a Mason and a most exemplary man in every re-
spect. The democratic ticket received his hearty support.
Four of his eight children survive, namely: Homer C., who
is a railroad engineer residing at San Francisco, California;
Burke P., who is an attorney of Sutton; S. L., who is a
resident of Frametown, West Virginia, and Van B., whose
name heads this review.
>From childhood, determined upon a professional career,
Van B. Hall worked steadily with that end in view, and
after attending the public schools of Braxton County, where
he was reared, he took a course at the Glenville State Nor-
mal School, and then engaged in teaching in the free schools
of Braxton County. While thus engaged he read law, and
was admitted to practice in the courts of West Virginia
in 1896. A few years thereafter he formed a partnership
with his brother, Burke P. Hall, in the practice of law, under
the firm name of Hall Brothers, at Sutton. In November,
1920, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Braxton County,
being the only candidate on the democratic county ticket,
having opposition to win in that election. His success came
to him because of his personal popularity, and the realiza-
tion of the people of his special fitness for this important
office.
On September 24, 1901, Mr. Hall married Sarah Anne
Boggs, who was educated in the public schools. Mr. and
Mrs. Hall became the parents of four sons, namely: Byron
W., who graduated from the Sutton High School, and is
now attending the West Virginia State University; Robert
M., attending the Sutton High School; Boggs C. and Harold
Lee, both of whom are attending the grade schools. Mr.
Hall belongs to the Baptist Church, and is an active worker
in the Sunday School, which he is now serving as superin-
tendent, and is president of the Braxton County Sunday
School Association and one of the trustees of Broaddus
College at Philippi, West Virginia. A Mason, he belongs to
Sutton Lodge No. 21, A. F. and A. M., of which he is a past
master; Sutton Chapter No. 29, R. A. M., of which he is a
past high priest; and Sutton Commandery, 16, K. T., of
which he is generalissimo. He is a member of Sutton Lodge
No. 73, K. of P., of which he is past chancellor, and he also
belongs to the Beni-Kedem Temple at Charleston, A. A. O.
N. M. S. Some years ago he served as moderator of the
Elk Valley Baptist Association, and is one of the leading
Baptists in this part of the state. It is needless to say that
he has faithfully and capably discharged every responsibility
reposed in him, and that he holds in high degree the confi-
dence and full respect of his fellow citizens.
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