WILLIAM H. HALLETT

 

     William H. Hallett, a practicing attorney of Nevada, Mo., is a native of Cumberland county, Illinois, and is of French-Scotch lineage. His paternal grandfather, Solomon J. Hallett, moved from Kentucky, his native state, to Illinois about 1848. His wife was Miss Nancy E. Waldrup before her marriage. Both are deceased. His maternal grandfather, Harrison Jones, settled in Vernon county, Missouri, in 1874, and lived there till his decease in 1894, when he was seventy-three years of age. He had practiced law in Illinois, and was successful in mercantile business and also as a farmer. William H. was born September 1, 1867, to George W. and Mary E. (Jones) Hallett, both of whom were born in Cumberland county, Illinois. The father was a farmer in Illinois until 1890, when he removed with his family to Oklahoma, where he resided till his decease in 1910, at the age of sixty-eight years. The mother is still living. Our subject attended the public schools of his native town, Jewett, Ill., and afterwards engaged in teaching as principal of the Jewett High School. In 1890 he went to Oklahoma and there taught one year, and in 1892 was appointed county clerk of Roger, Mills county, Oklahoma. During his vacations, while teaching, Mr. Hallett devoted his time and attention to the study of law, with a view of fitting himself for the legal profession, and in 1893 passed the examination and was admitted to the bar. He began his practice at Oklahoma City, but soon afterwards came to Nevada, his present home, and, during the next five years he gave his attention to teaching in Vernon county. Mr. Hallett then entered the Kansas City Law School, where he was graduated with the class of 1900, and at once opened an office in Nevada and began practice, in which he has since continued without interruption, with gratifying success. Mr. Hallett shows commendable interest in public affairs and is active in local political matters, being a member of the Republican state committee. He is also treasurer of the Missouri State Hospital for the Insane at Nevada. Mr. Hallett is active in fraternal and benevolent orders, such as the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

     On March 24, 1898, Mr. Hallett married Miss La Verna, daughter of Alonzo and Mary E. Wilson, of Vernon county. They have one child, Webster W.

1911 History of Vernon County, Missouri Past and Present, page 821-822.

 

ATTORNEY W. H. HALLETT DIED WEDNESDAY AT HOME OF HIS SON

His Death Followed An Illness of a Period of Several Years

Funeral Services to Be Held Friday Afternoon.

     Attorney W. H. Hallett, aged 72 years, for many years one of southwest Missouri's most prominent lawyers, passed away at 9 o'clock Wednesday morning at the home of his son, Attorney Webster W. Hallett, 610 South Adams street.

     Mr. Hallett had been in impaired health for several years and had been confined to his son's home for the past two years. He had not been active in the practice of his profession the last few years, his son carrying on the work of the law firm he founded.

     Mr. Hallett's body was taken to the Ferry Funeral Home, where the funeral will be held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon. The services will be conducted by the Rev. J. H. Parrott, pastor of the First Christian church, and burial will be in Balltown cemetery.

    Besides his son, Mr. Hallett is survived by six brothers and one sister, all of whom live in the state of Washington. The brothers are John, G. E., H. Bush, Ben, Frank and Joe Hallett. The sister is Mrs. Molly Scheel.

     In the death of W. H. Hallett the local bar association has lost one of its most able and brilliant lawyers. He was not only an able counselor but one of the ablest trial lawyers of this section of the state. Some years ago a circuit judge of this district said to the writer, "Bill" Hallett has one of the finest legal minds I have ever come in contact with and he is certain to rank high in the profession of the law." This statement, made in the early years of Mr. Hallett's prac

tice of the law, proved later to be correct for at the time his health began to fail he was recognized as one of Southwest Missouri's ablest lawyers and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice.

     Mr. Hallett was also an eloquent and able public speaker and was one of the most prominent members of the republican party, in both the state and this congressional district and during the political campaigns he not only served his party as one of its chief orators but also as adviser. He had never been a candidate for public office but was appointed first U. S. assistant district attorney some years ago but later resigned to resume his practice of law here. His son, Attorney Webster W. Hallett, following his admission to the bar, joined his father here in the practice of law and the firm was known as Hallett and Hallett. Since the health of the father failed the firm's legal business has been continued by the son.

     Mr. Hallett has a legion of friends here and over the state who will regret to learn that his life has reached its close. Until his health failed Mr. Hallett took a leading part in national, state and local affairs. He was intensely patriotic and was ever the champion of his country and its institutions, a typical American citizen of the Old School, who really could say "My Country, Right or Wrong, My Country."

     The following biography of Mr. Hallett appears in the Vernon County History, which was compiled by the late Judge J. B. Johnson of this city.  (See above)

Southwest Mail and The Weekly Post, Nevada, Missouri; Friday 1 March 1940 page 1.

 

Well Known Persons Have Passed On

     Attorney W. H. Hallett, aged 72 years, and for many years one of south west Missouri's most prominent lawyers, passed away Wednesday morning of last week at the home of his son, Webster, in Nevada. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon.

     Surviving are six brothers and one sister, all of the state of Washington, and the one son with whom he made his home.

     Mr. Hallett had been in poor health for several years, hence had not been actively engaged in the practice of law for some time, his son carrying on his work.

     William H. Hallett was born in Illinois but came to Vernon county shortly after 1893 where he has since resided. He was once engaged in the teaching profession, having taught at Old Metz and Rinehart. Among the older residents of Metz and vicinity are several of his former pupils.

The Metz Times, Metz, Missouri; Friday 8 March 1940 page 1.

 

Prominent Local Woman Is Dead

     Mrs. Laverne Hallett, resident of Nevada for many years, died at 6:30 a. m. today at her home, 316 South Washington street. Her husband, W. H. Hallett, and son, Webster W. Hallett, former prosecuting attorney of Vernon county, both preceded her in death. Her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Emmaline Hallett, is stationed in an American hospital in Germany.

     Mrs. Hallett is survived by two sisters, Mrs. E. E Forveft of Kansas City and Mrs. E. B. Arnold, who lives in Arizona. She is also survived by a nephew, E. M. Arnold, of Kansas City.

     Widely known in Nevada, Mrs. Hallett was a member of several civic organizations. Friends, who visited her yesterday, today said she was even then alert with an active interest in the community.

     Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p. m. Friday at the Ball Town cemetery. The Eichinger Funeral home will be in charge.

The Nevada Herald, Nevada, Missouri; Thursday 12 September 1946 page 6.

 

WEBSTER W. HALLETT FATALLY INJURED IN AUTO-TRUCK CRASH

Accompanied by Three Kansas City Women Bridge Players He Was En Route to Boonville to Participate in a Tournament.

The Fatal Crash Occurred Ten Miles West of Boonville On a Slight Curve on the Highway--Three Women Not Seriously Hurt.

Mr. Hallett Was One of This City's Most Prominent and Successful Attorneys and a Highly Esteemed Citizen

Funeral Services Tuesday Afternoon.

     Never before, in the past quarter of a century at least, has Nevada been more keenly shocked than it was early Sunday morning when the unwelcome news of the tragic death of Attorney Webster W. Hallett was received. The news came so unexpectedly and was so unwelcome that all thought and hoped that it would be later proven to be untrue but as the hours passed confirmation of the report came and there was universal sorrow from the very center to the circumference of the city and expressions of genuine regret were heard on every side as were words of sympathy for the sorrow stricken wife and mother of Mr. Hallett.

     The office of the Daily Mail and Post was besieged all day Sunday with calls of many friends and acquaintances of Mr. Hallett, seeking to learn if the report of his death was true and in the voice of each one there could be detected the hope that it was erroneous.

     To all it just could not seem true that one in the very prime of manhood, one so universally esteemed and one with so much to live for and one so useful, could be taken away so unexpectedly, without a moment's warning. The taking away of Webster W. Hallett is just one of those mysteries of life here that challenge the human mind and to which the answer is not found.

     Mr. Hallett, just thirty-nine years of age but a prominent citizen and lawyer of this city, was fatally injured and three Kansas City women were injured in an automobile-truck crash about 12 o'clock Saturday night, ten miles west of Boonville on highway No. 40.

     The accident occurred on a slight curve and rise in the highway when a car driven by Mr. Hallett and a truck driven by Frederick Williams of Kansas City, Kas., collided. Williams was uninjured.

     Mr. Hallett was killed instantly. The three women injured, passengers in Mr. Hallett's car, were Miss Anna Bryant, Miss Sophronia Nichols and Miss Ruth Dunn, all of Kansas City. Miss Bryant, most seriously hurt of the three, suffered several head injuries.

     Mr. Hallett left Nevada Saturday afternoon and drove to Kansas City, where he was joined by the three women. The four were enroute to Boonville to enter a bridge tournament to be held there.

     Sheriff George B. Harlan of Cooper county and State Highway Patrolman Clarence E. Potts, who investigated the accident, said the truck driven by Williams was going west on the highway and Hallett's car was traveling east. Mr. Hallett's car, they said, was completely demolished.

     A coroner's inquest into Mr. Hallett's death was held at Boonville Monday. The body of Mr. Hallett was brought home Sunday afternoon by the Eichinger Funeral Home.

     Mr. Hallett was born in Nevada Nov. 2, 1901, the son of William H. and LaVerne Wilson Hallett. He received his grade and high school education here, graduating from Nevada high school with the class of 1920.

     After attending Missouri University, Mr. Hallett transferred to Kansas University and was graduated from the law school of that institution. He was admitted to the bar in 1925.

     Mr. Hallett was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, the national social fraternity.

     Mr. Hallett practiced law here, in partnership with his father, and at El Dorado Springs, then joined the legal staff of the United States department of justice, where he served for some two years.

     Returning to Nevada, he had continued in his profession since, having been associated with his father until the latter's death.

     Mr. Hallett was prosecuting attorney of Vernon county in 1931 and 1932 and was the republican candidate for judge of the twenty-sixth judicial circuit in last November's general election. He was active in the affairs of the Missouri Bar Association and in republican party circles.

     He was married August 25, 1928, at Minot, N. D., to Miss Emmaline Weggeman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Weggeman of Fort Atkinson, Wis. Surviving Mr. Hallett are his wife and his mother, both of Nevada.

     Attorney Webster W. Hallett, whose life has been tragically brought to its close, was one of the most prominent and successful lawyers of this city and Southwest Missouri. He was not only thoroughly educated in the law, but possessed an exceptional legal mind and had the advantage of early training in the practice of his profession in the office of his father, the late and lamented W. H. Hallett, who was generally recognized as one of the ablest lawyers in the state. In this connection it may be said that the father's ambition that his son should prove to be an outstanding lawyer and citizen of this community was fully realized and the father by preceding his son in death, was saved this crushing blow and no doubt the father would have had it so, if he had had the choice of living until now or passing before.

     It was but natural that Webster W. Hallett should follow in the footsteps of his father and it was fortunate that he at least enjoyed a few years of practicing the profession of the law with his father. Each idealized the other and were content.

     Webster W. Hallett in his life's work enjoyed the esteem and confidence of both the other members of the bar and the courts in which he practiced, both of which embraced not only the lawyers and courts of this community but those of the other cities of the state. He was remarkably successful in his profession and enjoyed a very large and lucrative practice.

     Politically Mr. Hallett was a staunch republican and what might be termed a conservative republican. He took a leading part in his party affairs and was always a counselor in the inner circles of the party of his choice.

     Personally, Mr. Hallett was of a generous and friendly disposition and enjoyed to the utmost the associations of friends and acquaintances. He loved the great outdoors and spent many hours of leisure on the Radio Springs Golf Course where he found both pleasure and recreation in the game and the many pleasant associations that it afforded. His favorite pastime, however, was playing bridge, which is probably the most scientific card game ever invented and in which chance has been reduced to a minimum. His brilliant, quick mind, his mastery of the intricate rules of the game, made him a master bridge player and he took part in many of the state and district tournaments and sad to relate his favorite pastime led to his untimely death.

     First and always foremost was the joy and contentment that he found in his home. No man ever lived who was more thoroughly devoted to his wife and mother. Their pleasure and comfort took first place in his every thought and act and in return they gave to him their constant devotion and the fullness of their hearts and minds.

     The shadows have come to these two, wife and mother, and a legion of friends seek now to lighten their sorrow.

Southwest Mail and The Weekly Post, Nevada, Missouri; Friday 23 May 1941 page 8.

 

THE WEBSTER HALLETT FUNERAL HELD TUESDAY WAS LARGELY ATTENDED

     A crowd which filled the main auditorium of the First Christian church and overflowed into the west auditorium Tuesday afternoon paid final tribute of respect to Webster W. Hallett, prominent Nevada attorney who was fatally injured in an automobile-truck collision near Boonville last Saturday night.

     Funeral services for Mr. Hallett were conducted at 2:30 o'clock by the Rev. J. H. Parrott, pastor of the church, assisted by the Rev. J. D. Prater, pastor of Centenary Methodist church. The Eichinger Funeral Home was in charge. Burial was in Balltown cemetery.

     Music during the services included the hymns, "Going Home" and "The Lord is My Shepherd," and "Consolation" by Mendelssohn. The pallbearers, all close personal friends of Mr. Hallett, were O. W. Neff, George Braham, Wooddy Swearingen, Roy Rinehart, Attorney Amos Wight and Hurley Croft of Stotesbury.

     The offices of city and county officials were closed during the hour of the funeral and members of the Vernon County Bar Association attended the services in a body. There were many beautiful flowers, tributes of many friends.

     Among relatives of Mr. and Mrs. Hallett who attended the services were Mrs. Hallett's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Weggeman of Fort Atkinson, Wis., and Mrs. Sally Castor, Pearl Castor and Byron Castor, all of Sheldon.

     Among attorneys from out-of-town who came here for the funeral were Circuit Judge Thomas W. Martin of Lamar; Henry E. Sheppard, Tom Silvers, James A. De Armond, F. W. Long and L. J. Bishop, all of Butler; Ira Burns and Karl Willbrand of Kansas City; Arkley Frieze of Garfield, and Douglas Hudson and Walter Patterson, both of Fort Scott, Kas.

Southwest Mail and The Weekly Post, Nevada, Missouri; Friday 23 May 1941 page 8.

 

EMMALINE HALLETT

      Emmaline Hallett, 74, died Dec. 1 at her home, 535 N. Washington.

     She was born Sept. 7, 1905, at Fort Atkinson, Wis., the daughter of Martin and Barbara Hensinger Weggeman. She was married to Webster Hallett. He died May 17, 1941. She was a former registered nurse employed at Nevada State School and Hospital. She retired after 20 years service from the Army Nurse Corps, having served in Europe and Japan. She was a member of St. Paul American Lutheran Church, the Research Club and the Red Cross Volunteers, and was one of the organizers of the first Nevada Youth Club.

     Survivors include three sisters, Elsie May and Hilda Hebbe, both of Fort Atkinson, and Mrs. Marion Neis of Jefferson, Wis., and a brother, Carl Weggeman, Fort Atkinson.

     Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Milster Funeral Home with Pastor Richmond Anderson officiating. Interment will be in Balltown Cemetery near Horton.

     The family suggests memorials to St. Paul American Lutheran Church or to the Vernon County chapter, American Red Cross.

The Nevada Daily Mail, Nevada, Missouri; Monday 3 December 1979 page 2.

 

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