Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

MSS 16814, Elias W. Hale to Jane Hale letter, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from Michael Brown Rare Books by the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 20 January 2023.

Biographical / Historical

Dr. Elias White Hale (1824-1892), the fourth child and last survivor of six children from Elias White Hale and Jane Muhollan Hale, 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.

Source: https://www.geni.com/people/Dr-Elias-Hale/6000000146276586917

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Fairfax (Va.)
• Fairfax County (Va.)
• Smallpox
• Vaccination
• school children