A
life of usefulness, characterized by an untiring devotion to the relief
of the sufferings of others and crowned by a substantial success which
had been most honorably and worthily won, was brought to a close in
1901. Dr. Stephen F. Hale was born in St. Francois county, Missouri, on
the 18th of March, 1823, a son of Thomas Hale, who was also a native of
that locality. The father was a farmer by occupation and was killed on
his place during the Civil war.
Dr. Hale, who was one of a
family of seven children, pursued his early education in the schools of
his native state and after mastering the preparatory courses took up the
study of medicine in the McDowell College at St. Louis. He had just
completed his professional training when the Mexican war broke out and,
being actuated by a spirit of patriotism, he joined the United States
forces under General Price. At the close of hostilities he returned to
Missouri and took up the practice of medicine in Benton county and there
devoted his attention to his professional duties until the outbreak of
the Civil war. Again laying aside all personal interests, he joined the
Confederate forces with the rank of captain and later was promoted to
colonel under his old superior, General Price. At the battle of Wilson’s
Creek he was wounded, receiving an injury which caused his resignation
from the army. Upon again returning to professional life he came to
Macoupin county, Illinois, locating at Woodburn, and later he took up
his residence in Bunker Hill about the year 1864. Here he established a
drug store, which he conducted in connection with his professional
duties until feeble health and age required his retirement from active
life. He proved himself very successful both in professional and
business circles and at his death left to his family a most substantial
competence. He passed away in 1901 and his remains were laid to rest in
the Bunker Hill cemetery.
In 1852 Dr. Hale was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hill, who was
born in London, Laurel county, Kentucky, a daughter of Dr. B. and Sarah
P. (Moore) Hill, natives of North Carolina and Virginia respectively.
The father, a successful medical practitioner, passed away in 1885. Mrs.
Hale was one of a family of two sons and two daughters, her sister, Mrs.
A. M. Bennett, being now a resident of San Antonio, Texas. Unto Dr. and
Mrs. Hale were born seven children, as follows: James, deceased;
Gustavus, at home; Thomas, a lumberman of Prior Creek, Oklahoma; Mamie,
who married Ernest Rheinhart, of San Antonio, Texas; Nellie, the wife of
P. B. Davis, of St. Louis, Missouri; Stephen A., in the government
employ at League Island Barracks, Pennsylvania; and Samuel, who has also
passed away.
Dr. Hale was known in fraternal circles of this
locality as a member of the Masonic lodge, and in politics gave his
support unfalteringly to the democratic party. A man of considerable
ability along the line of his profession, he also possessed that keen
business sense which is the basis of success in all lines of activity
and at the time of his death Bunker Hill lost one of its most
substantial and representative citizens whose life had ever been in
harmony with high professional ethics and governed by honorable and
upright principles. Since his demise his widow has continued to reside
in Bunker Hill, where she occupies a beautiful dwelling. She is the
owner of heavy real estate in this town and also valuable farm lands in
Macoupin county. She occupies a foremost place in the social circles in
which she moves, the hospitality of the best homes in the community
being extended to her.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 422-425.
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