Don C. Hall
Obits

Stevens Point Journal, October 29, 1953

Don C. Hall, 87, Veteran Show Trouper, Dies

Wisconsin’s oldest show trouper and an early day resident of what was long known as Crocker’s Landing, north of Stevens Point, Don C. Hall died last Saturday at the Lincoln nursing home at Joliet, Ill. He was 87 years old.

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday in Illinois. Mr. Hall was a frequent Stevens Point visitor through the years, coming here the last time only a month ago.

Long, White Hair

A witness of the shooting of Wild Bill Hickok, one-time member of the Wisconsin state legislature, an actor who had played in 46 states and a temperance lecturer who had hitch-hiked 37,000 miles he was known for his long, white hair flowing over his shoulders and back from beneath a broad-brimmed western style a hat.

A white goatee and erect carriage completed the figure of a western pioneer, Mr. Hall’s lifetime role.

A native of the town of Eau of Pleine, he was born in 1866, and in about 1887 began to devote his time to drama and temperance at activities.

Weds Clara Crocker

On Jan. 18, 1888, he was marred to the former Clara Alice Crocker of Crocker’s Landing. The couple were married by her father, S. G. H. Crocker, a justice of the peace, who had introduced Mr. Hall to temperance work.

After their marriage, the Halls toured together taking part in such plays as "East Lynn." "Ten Nights in a Bar Room" and Shakespeare’s "King Richard." The veteran showman headed the Don C. Hall Theatrical Company for many years. In 1912, he was elected Portage County’s representative in the legislature and introduced a law permitting the organization of co-operative credit groups in Wisconsin.

"Spirit Of West"

In recent years, Mr. Hall had a lectured on "The Spirit of the West," while a cast, which included, his wife, acted the story on the stage. The couple resided at Mokena, Ill., from 1923 until Mrs. Hall’s death on Aug. 8, 1951. Mr. Hall had resided at the nursing home at Joliet most of the time since.

Surviving are two sons. Walter, Milwaukee, and Don C., Jr., Mississippi City, Miss., a daughter, Mrs. Olivet Lyons, Mississippi City, .10 grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren.

Mrs. Walter Barnsdale of Plover, the widow of Mr. Hall’s uncle, and Ernest Crocker, 917 Ellis street, his brother-in-law, are also among the surviving relatives.

Stevens Point Daily Journal Oct. 31, 1953

Passing of Don C. Hall

There will never be another Don C. Hall.

The death’ of this seemingly ageless trouper, who recently came back to Stevens Point for a visit as he had done for so many years, severs another link with the past.

Mr. Hall was .a showman right up to the end. His flowing white hair, white goatee, broad brimmed Western style hat and his general attire marked him for attention wherever he went, and he traveled the length and the breadth of the land.

This veteran showman, who was 87, never forgot his boyhood days in this locality. Each time he returned to Stevens Point he found the ranks of his old friends thinned by time. His wife, who preceded him in death, was also a veteran trouper and an early day local resident. No figures more colorful ever went forth from here to carry on the traditions of a theatrical era that they saw disappear in their time.

Source Unknown

August 10, 1951

Mrs. Don C. Hall, in the show business with her husband more then 50 years, died on Wednesday at Mokena Ill., where the couple resided for many years. She was 85 years old. Funeral services were held at Mokena this afternoon.

Mrs. Hall, the former Clara Crocker, was a member of a pioneer Portage county family and spent her girlhood at Crocker’s Landing on the Wisconsin River near the Portage Marathon county line. She was a sister of Ernest Crocker, 917 Ellis Street.

The Halls were well known among the older generations of stock company fans. In their heyday they traveled show circuits in two Pullman cars they owned. Their stock company played from coast to coast in the period from 1900 to 1920. In more recent years Mr. Hall lectured and both he and his wife gave dramatic readings principally in Chicago suburbs.

Mr. Hall, also a Portage county pioneer, has long flowing locks, which distinguish him as a showman. His hair turned silver as he advanced in years. He and his wife made occasional visits to Stevens Point to call on relatives and old friends. They were here the last time a year ago.

Mrs. Hall is survived by her husband; two sons, Don C. Hall, Jr. of Mississippi City, Miss. and Walter of South Milwaukee; a married daughter, Olivette, who also resides in Mississippi City, and two brothers, Ernest Crocker of Stevens Point and Paul M. Crocker of Portland. Ore.

The Halls formerly spent the winters in Mississippi but continued to reside at Mokena, 12 miles east of Joliet, Ill.