Granville D. Hall
Granville Davisson Hall (September 17, 1837 – June 24, 1934) was an American journalist, businessman and politician who helped found the state of West Virginia during the American Civil War. He served as the Secretary of State of West Virginia and as the private secretary of the first governor, Arthur Boreman, and eventually wrote seven books, including The Rending of Virginia to counteract the growing Lost Cause myth.[1] After the Civil War, Hall became involved in the railroad industry in Kentucky, eventually becoming President of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, but later moved to Glencoe, Illinois where he continued writing and served as the village clerk.[2]
Granville Davisson Hall | |
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Secretary of State of West Virginia | |
Personal details | |
Born | Shinnston, Harrison County, Virginia | September 17, 1837
Died | June 24, 1934 96) Glencoe, Cook County, Illinois | (aged
Resting place | Memorial Gardens, Skokie, Illinois |
Political party | Republican |
Occupation | Journalist |
Early and family life
Born in Harrison County, Virginia, he received a private education, then at the age of 17, began teaching school.
Career
In 1859, Hall moved to Wheeling on the Ohio River, then Virginia's second largest city. He knew stenography and took at job with the Wheeling Intelligencer. However, he returned home to Harrison County, only to return to Wheeling as Virginians were asked to vote on secession, as recommended by the Virginia Secession Convention of 1861
Death and legacy
Hall died at his Glencoe home and was buried at Memorial Gardens in nearby Skokie, Illinois.
References
- Stealey III, John Edmund (29 November 2012). "The Rending of Virginia". e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- Venham, Christy (29 November 2012). "Granville Davisson Hall". e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia.