California Biographies
Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
 
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
With Biographical Sketches
History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry
Illustrated, Complete In One Volume
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914


FRANK KELSEY HALL was born on the Atlantic ocean January 12, 
1855. the vessel carrying the "Union Jack." He was the son of Fred W. and 
Nora (Kelsey) Hall, who immigrated from County Antrim to Napoleon, 
Jackson county, Mich. The mother died before the Civil war and at the 
opening of that conflict the father volunteered his services and was enlisted 
in the Twenty-third Michigan Regiment of Engineers. While on the skir- 
mish line he was wounded by a sharpshooter and died eight days later, May 8, 
1862. Of the three children, Frank was the second oldest and was bound 
out to work his own way. Until fourteen he worked on the farm, attending 
winter school, and after that it was all work. He spent the winter of 1875-76 
in Iowa, then returned to Michigan and in 1877 he followed railroading in 
Kansas City, Mo. Returning to Michigan he was employed on the Michigan 
Central Railroad and rose to the position of engineer. He continued to run 
an engine until his health failed, when he came to California in 1883. The 
first two years were spent in San Mateo, but in 1885 he came to Rockport, 
Mendocino county. His first six days work was with pick and shovel at the 
rate of $30 per month, after which he obtained a place running a jack screw 
at $45 a month, which he continued through the winter. The next eighteen 
months were spent assisting with a bull team and during this time he had 
regained his health and strength. He then became foreman of logging camps 
at Usal, a position which he filled for eight years. In 1895 he purchased a 
farm near Fort Bragg, but after a year removed to Greenwood and entered 
the employ of the L. E. White Lumber Company, building the road for them 
on Elk creek. Continuing with the company he became mill foreman, a posi- 
tion he held for six and a half years, then was foreman of the -woods until 
August, 1906, when he resigned and removed to Seattle, there engaging in 
the mercantile business for two and a half years. However, it was not to 
his liking, so he obtained a position as first class machinist at the Mare Island 
navy yard, but a year later we find him in Mono county as superintendent of 
mill and woods for the Bodie Lumber Company. 

In September 1909, Mr. Hall resigned and returned to Mendocino county, 
and became mill superintendent at Caspar, a position he held for thirty-nine 
months, when he resigned to accept the place of manager for the L. E. White 
Lumber Company at Greenwood, which has since occupied all of his time. 

In Oakland occurred the marriage of Mr. Hall with Ida J. Young, a 
native of Chicago. Ill. Both are adherents of the Christian Science faith, 
their membership being in Oakland. They are well and favorably known on 
the Mendocino coast. Mr. Hall is a member of the following Masonic bodies: 
Mendocino Lodge No. 179, F. & A. M.; Mendocino Chapter No. 88, R. A. M.; 
Ukiah Commandery No. 33, K. T. ; and is also a member of the Hoo Hoos. 
In his political views he is strongly in favor of Republican principles.