Freed-Hardeman Connections
Researching the Restoration Movement in Mississippi and West Tennessee
W. Claude Hall
W. C. Hall (1883-1967)
By Katie Greene
On November 27, 1958, Oakland Hall, the oldest women's dormitory, was renamed Hall-Roland Hall in honor of W. C. Hall and C. P. Roland as part of the homecoming festivities (F-HU Catalog 28). Over his lifetime, W. C. Hall served Freed- Hardeman University in a variety of ways. W. Claude Hall was a teacher, a preacher, and an administrator.
At the age of sixteen (Hall, John M.), "Brother Hall" began / his career as a teacher in Lake County, Tennessee according to the Freed-Hardeman Alumnogram. After teaching for a year around Caruthersville, Missouri, he studied at the Hall-Moody Institute in Martin, Tennessee. There he student-taught penmanship and earned his B.S. degree. While in school, he, along with W. L. Denton and W. E. Morgan, began preaching the gospel near Dresden. Hall met his future wife of over fifty years, Lelia Conner, at the institute (1, 2).
Lelia Elinor Conner became Mrs. W. Claude Hall on August 18, 1908. They had three children named Geneva, Mary Catherine, and John M. Hall (Holland 185).
Brother Hall first became principle at Dresden, Tennessee. After that, he served as principle for the South Fulton, Tennessee public school for ten years. Next, Hall taught psychology at David Lipscomb College as he completed his degree from Peabody College. Following his years at David Lipscomb, Hall was president of Freed-Hardeman College from 1923 to 1925 (W. 2). John M. Hall says that his father became president after Freed and Hardeman had a disagreement and Roland recommended him to the Board of Trustees. During his presidency, Freed-Hardeman became recognized as an academic institution, namely a junior college (Hall, John M.).
In April 1925, W. C. Hall announced his resignation and plans to go to Cordell Christian College in Oklahoma (presently called Oklahoma Christian College) to aid them. He said that he was leaving Freed-Hardeman College with no regrets or dissensions and that he prayed for the future of the school. In the same bulletin, Hardeman and Calhoun said that Brother Hall had brought the issue of resignation before the Board of Trustees who decided it would be good for him to go to help Cordell Christian College (Hardeman).
Unfortunately, Cordell Christian College had to close due to financial problems with the country entering the Great Depression, and Hall preached for a large congregation in Cordell that was able to support him (Hall, John M.). After seven years at Cordell Christian College, Hall came back to Freed-Hardeman to teach Bible and English in 1933 (W. 2). John M. Hall attributes this to Hardeman who was president and told Hall that if he ever wanted to get back into Christian education, it was time to do it. He goes on to say that his father left the financial security of preaching because he loved teaching and to get John M, away from the neighbor who was a bad influence. At this time the school often paid teachers with collection notes given to the school. Brother Hall hired a collection agency to gather for him and some of his fellow teachers. One of the borrowers was a Henderson barber; consequently, Hall started collecting that note by getting his hair cut every Friday after classes (Hall, John M.).
Brother Hall was an impressive teacher. E. Claude Gardner writes: Brother Hall is a master teacher. He has been one of the most popular teachers ever to teach because of his unique methods, mastery of subject matter, interest in young people, and love for teaching. As a teacher he is strict and demanding, but quite stimulating and interesting. He is one of the best teachers I have ever had. (2) Mrs. Marilynn Tollerson remembers one occasion from his classes. She had taken a test in Brother Hall's Poetical Literature Bible class feeling confident of her answers. When she received her graded test, she had missed a twenty-point question. She thought she had given a good answer and showed her test to Brother Woodson, a member of the Bible faculty, who also said that her answer was good. At the following class, she raised her hand and was given permission to speak. She stood up by her desk and asked if her answer could be accepted. (It was a rule that anyone who spoke had to stand. Even if a student did not know the answer to a question, he or she had to stand and say, "I don’t know.") Then, Brother Hall said he would consider the matter. Next time, Brother Hall, in his stern-sounding voice, announced that those who had given that answer would receive credit for the question.
Mrs. Tollerson went on to explain some details about Hall's character and personality. She said that he wore thick glasses and was strict but caring. He had helped students in many ways while at Freed-Hardeman University, even financially. Brother Hall was fond of the Reader's Digest magazine. Finally, she remembers that Brother Hall forbade students from wearing any heels, except for rubber heels, in Old Main (the only classroom building at that time) because of the noise they made.
Thomas H. Holland has written a wealth of stories about W. C. Hall. Holland relates another of Brother Hall's interesting rules. Hall said, "If you do not complete an assignment, when you come to class then put your name on a 2 inch by 8 % inch piece of paper, do not fold it, and put the paper on my desk." Those who failed to follow this rule were not allowed to make any comments or ask any questions during that class period (18, 19). In his years at Freed-Hardeman, Hall taught English Composition, Spoken English, Spelling, and Bible Classes (Holland 7).
Brother Hall gave several memorable chapel speeches. He spoke on a variety of subjects; some of his favorites were public displays of affection, interesting answers that students gave on his tests, and bad habits (Holland 92-97). Dixon described Hall's chapel speeches as "unique," "unforgettable," "practical," and "spiced by humorous incidents from the rich experiences of his many years" (582).
In the late 1930's or early 1940fs, Brother Hall started the Preacher's Club in response to some concerns voiced by Janie Scott Greene, her father, and her aunt. They said that the Freed-Hardeman College students that came to preach for the church in Kenton had such atrocious grammar it embarrassed the congregation. Therefore, Hall started a club where preacher students gave a short speech that he critiqued at the end (Holland 103, 105).
Brother Hall continued his loyalty to Freed-Hardeman College when the Board of Directors appointed him to the Executive Council in 1950. In 1964, he retired from his teaching position at Freed-Hardeman College and the Executive Council (Dixon 582).
The Hall family lived in Oakland Hall for two years during Brother Hall’s presidency (Hall, John M.). Oakland Hall was constructed in 1921 (Self-study). However, it was not finished by the start of the school year in September according to Mrs. Roland. The basement, which consisted of a furnace, storage room, kitchen, and dining room, was finished along with the first floor. Various individuals and groups donated to have the rooms furnished; each door had plaque on it with the names of those who generously gave to furnish the room (98). The building would consist of four floors including the ground floor when finished.
Although Hall had been through some hard times, H. A. Dixon says that he always was thankful. He always began his prayers with, "Our heavenly Father, we are so thankful." Dixon also recalled that shortly before his death, Hall prayed, "The older we become, the more thankful we are" (582). On August 18, 1967, Brother W. Claude Hall passed on at the age of 84. H. A. Dixon and C. P. Roland preached his funeral at the Henderson Church of Christ, and Brother Hall was buried in the City Cemetery of Henderson (Holland 185, 188). Holland records a statement of Garland Elkins, "When brother Hall died a part of Freed-Hardeman died" (191). All associated with Freed-Hardeman University should be truly thankful for the sacrifices W. Claude Hall made for the school.
Works Cited
Dixon, H. A. "A Tribute to W. Claude Hall." Gospel Advocate 14 September 1967: 582.
Freed-Hardeman University Undergraduate Catalog. Henderson, TN: 1998.
Gardner, E. Claude. 'A Tribute to W. Claude Hall." 12 March 1963 Freed-Hardeman Alumnograms Oct. 1967: 1-2.
Hall, John M. Roland Lecture. Videotape. F-HU Library, Henderson, TN. 27 February 2001.
Hall, W. C. Freed-Hardeman College Bulletin April 1925.
Hardeman and Calhoun. Freed-Hardeman College Bulletin April 1925.
Holland, Thomas H. Marks of Hall. Brentwood, TN: Penmann, 1997.
Roland, Grace Paysinger. Walking Down Memory's Lane 1896-1981.
Self-study Reports. Freed-Hardeman University. 1991.
Tollerson, Marilynn. Interview. Henderson, TN. 9 April 2001.
'W. Claude Hall 1883-1967." Freed-Hardeman Alumnograms Oct. 1967: 1-2.
Henderson City Cemetery, Henderson, TN
W. C. Hall (1883-1967)
By Katie Greene
On November 27, 1958, Oakland Hall, the oldest women's dormitory, was renamed Hall-Roland Hall in honor of W. C. Hall and C. P. Roland as part of the homecoming festivities (F-HU Catalog 28). Over his lifetime, W. C. Hall served Freed- Hardeman University in a variety of ways. W. Claude Hall was a teacher, a preacher, and an administrator.
At the age of sixteen (Hall, John M.), "Brother Hall" began / his career as a teacher in Lake County, Tennessee according to the Freed-Hardeman Alumnogram. After teaching for a year around Caruthersville, Missouri, he studied at the Hall-Moody Institute in Martin, Tennessee. There he student-taught penmanship and earned his B.S. degree. While in school, he, along with W. L. Denton and W. E. Morgan, began preaching the gospel near Dresden. Hall met his future wife of over fifty years, Lelia Conner, at the institute (1, 2).
Lelia Elinor Conner became Mrs. W. Claude Hall on August 18, 1908. They had three children named Geneva, Mary Catherine, and John M. Hall (Holland 185).
Brother Hall first became principle at Dresden, Tennessee. After that, he served as principle for the South Fulton, Tennessee public school for ten years. Next, Hall taught psychology at David Lipscomb College as he completed his degree from Peabody College. Following his years at David Lipscomb, Hall was president of Freed-Hardeman College from 1923 to 1925 (W. 2). John M. Hall says that his father became president after Freed and Hardeman had a disagreement and Roland recommended him to the Board of Trustees. During his presidency, Freed-Hardeman became recognized as an academic institution, namely a junior college (Hall, John M.).
In April 1925, W. C. Hall announced his resignation and plans to go to Cordell Christian College in Oklahoma (presently called Oklahoma Christian College) to aid them. He said that he was leaving Freed-Hardeman College with no regrets or dissensions and that he prayed for the future of the school. In the same bulletin, Hardeman and Calhoun said that Brother Hall had brought the issue of resignation before the Board of Trustees who decided it would be good for him to go to help Cordell Christian College (Hardeman).
Unfortunately, Cordell Christian College had to close due to financial problems with the country entering the Great Depression, and Hall preached for a large congregation in Cordell that was able to support him (Hall, John M.). After seven years at Cordell Christian College, Hall came back to Freed-Hardeman to teach Bible and English in 1933 (W. 2). John M. Hall attributes this to Hardeman who was president and told Hall that if he ever wanted to get back into Christian education, it was time to do it. He goes on to say that his father left the financial security of preaching because he loved teaching and to get John M, away from the neighbor who was a bad influence. At this time the school often paid teachers with collection notes given to the school. Brother Hall hired a collection agency to gather for him and some of his fellow teachers. One of the borrowers was a Henderson barber; consequently, Hall started collecting that note by getting his hair cut every Friday after classes (Hall, John M.).
Brother Hall was an impressive teacher. E. Claude Gardner writes: Brother Hall is a master teacher. He has been one of the most popular teachers ever to teach because of his unique methods, mastery of subject matter, interest in young people, and love for teaching. As a teacher he is strict and demanding, but quite stimulating and interesting. He is one of the best teachers I have ever had. (2) Mrs. Marilynn Tollerson remembers one occasion from his classes. She had taken a test in Brother Hall's Poetical Literature Bible class feeling confident of her answers. When she received her graded test, she had missed a twenty-point question. She thought she had given a good answer and showed her test to Brother Woodson, a member of the Bible faculty, who also said that her answer was good. At the following class, she raised her hand and was given permission to speak. She stood up by her desk and asked if her answer could be accepted. (It was a rule that anyone who spoke had to stand. Even if a student did not know the answer to a question, he or she had to stand and say, "I don’t know.") Then, Brother Hall said he would consider the matter. Next time, Brother Hall, in his stern-sounding voice, announced that those who had given that answer would receive credit for the question.
Mrs. Tollerson went on to explain some details about Hall's character and personality. She said that he wore thick glasses and was strict but caring. He had helped students in many ways while at Freed-Hardeman University, even financially. Brother Hall was fond of the Reader's Digest magazine. Finally, she remembers that Brother Hall forbade students from wearing any heels, except for rubber heels, in Old Main (the only classroom building at that time) because of the noise they made.
Thomas H. Holland has written a wealth of stories about W. C. Hall. Holland relates another of Brother Hall's interesting rules. Hall said, "If you do not complete an assignment, when you come to class then put your name on a 2 inch by 8 % inch piece of paper, do not fold it, and put the paper on my desk." Those who failed to follow this rule were not allowed to make any comments or ask any questions during that class period (18, 19). In his years at Freed-Hardeman, Hall taught English Composition, Spoken English, Spelling, and Bible Classes (Holland 7).
Brother Hall gave several memorable chapel speeches. He spoke on a variety of subjects; some of his favorites were public displays of affection, interesting answers that students gave on his tests, and bad habits (Holland 92-97). Dixon described Hall's chapel speeches as "unique," "unforgettable," "practical," and "spiced by humorous incidents from the rich experiences of his many years" (582).
In the late 1930's or early 1940fs, Brother Hall started the Preacher's Club in response to some concerns voiced by Janie Scott Greene, her father, and her aunt. They said that the Freed-Hardeman College students that came to preach for the church in Kenton had such atrocious grammar it embarrassed the congregation. Therefore, Hall started a club where preacher students gave a short speech that he critiqued at the end (Holland 103, 105).
Brother Hall continued his loyalty to Freed-Hardeman College when the Board of Directors appointed him to the Executive Council in 1950. In 1964, he retired from his teaching position at Freed-Hardeman College and the Executive Council (Dixon 582).
The Hall family lived in Oakland Hall for two years during Brother Hall’s presidency (Hall, John M.). Oakland Hall was constructed in 1921 (Self-study). However, it was not finished by the start of the school year in September according to Mrs. Roland. The basement, which consisted of a furnace, storage room, kitchen, and dining room, was finished along with the first floor. Various individuals and groups donated to have the rooms furnished; each door had plaque on it with the names of those who generously gave to furnish the room (98). The building would consist of four floors including the ground floor when finished.
Although Hall had been through some hard times, H. A. Dixon says that he always was thankful. He always began his prayers with, "Our heavenly Father, we are so thankful." Dixon also recalled that shortly before his death, Hall prayed, "The older we become, the more thankful we are" (582). On August 18, 1967, Brother W. Claude Hall passed on at the age of 84. H. A. Dixon and C. P. Roland preached his funeral at the Henderson Church of Christ, and Brother Hall was buried in the City Cemetery of Henderson (Holland 185, 188). Holland records a statement of Garland Elkins, "When brother Hall died a part of Freed-Hardeman died" (191). All associated with Freed-Hardeman University should be truly thankful for the sacrifices W. Claude Hall made for the school.
Works Cited
Dixon, H. A. "A Tribute to W. Claude Hall." Gospel Advocate 14 September 1967: 582.
Freed-Hardeman University Undergraduate Catalog. Henderson, TN: 1998.
Gardner, E. Claude. 'A Tribute to W. Claude Hall." 12 March 1963 Freed-Hardeman Alumnograms Oct. 1967: 1-2.
Hall, John M. Roland Lecture. Videotape. F-HU Library, Henderson, TN. 27 February 2001.
Hall, W. C. Freed-Hardeman College Bulletin April 1925.
Hardeman and Calhoun. Freed-Hardeman College Bulletin April 1925.
Holland, Thomas H. Marks of Hall. Brentwood, TN: Penmann, 1997.
Roland, Grace Paysinger. Walking Down Memory's Lane 1896-1981.
Self-study Reports. Freed-Hardeman University. 1991.
Tollerson, Marilynn. Interview. Henderson, TN. 9 April 2001.
'W. Claude Hall 1883-1967." Freed-Hardeman Alumnograms Oct. 1967: 1-2.
Henderson City Cemetery, Henderson, TN