From the Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, 
Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette Wisconsin, J. H. Beers & Co., 1901, Chicago, IL.

Pages 921 - 922 ~ Grant County
 
GEORGE W. HALE (deceased).  Among those who have largely contributed toward the 
upbuilding and development of this portion of the great Northwest, there are 
many who no longer dwell among us, having passed to their just reward, leaving 
behind them, however, a memory richly fraught with good deeds, and hallowed by 
tender associations.  Of such, is no one more truly a shining example than 
George W. HALE, who at one time was one of the largest farmers of Grant county.
 
Mr. HALE was born in New York, in 1820, and twenty years later came West, 
purchased forty acres of land in Smelser, where he erected a log cabin.  The 
first site of the old homestead was near the present one, and it was made 
bright and pleasant by his young wife, who, in her maidenhood, had been Sarah 
BLANCHARD, of Fairplay, Wis.  Their marriage occurred in 1840.  Before the new 
home was built, Mrs. HALE died leaving her husband three sons, Marshall, who 
married Mary ROUSE, and now has three children, Rosy, William, and Susan; 
Alonzo; Lafayette died in childhood.  Some years later, Mr. HALE married Mrs. 
HICKMAN, who was born in 1823, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah EATON, and 
brought to Wisconsin about 1832, prior to the Black Hawk war.  Mr. EATON 
located for a short time in Illinois, then removed to Smelser, purchased a 
farm, and remained there until his family had attained maturity, when he and 
his wife returned to Illinois.  George W. HALE entered into rest in March 1864.
 
Alonzo HALE, second son of George W. HALE, and still a resident of the old 
homestead, was born in 1844, in Smelser.  Growing rapidly to manhood, working 
hard on the farm during the summers, and pursuing his studies in the winters, 
he soon assimilated the knowledge taught in the country schools, and probably 
would have pursued his education in higher institutions of learning, had not 
the Civil war just then engrossed the attention of all and fired the patriotism 
that saved our nation's honor.  He enlisted in Co. I, 25th Wis. V.I., being 
mustered into the service at La Crosse, Wis., on Sept. 14, 1862, and serving 
through the remainder of the war.  The regiment served on the frontier in 
Minnesota, and at Fort Snelling, and was ordered to Indian Territory.  After 
much skirmishing, they were transferred to Columbus, Kentucky, and joined 
Sherman's army, from whence they participated in Johnston's raid, and other 
engagements, to Atlanta, thence to Raleigh, through the Carolinas, and finally 
witnessing Johnston's surrender.  On the victorious army marched, through 
Virginia to Washington, where Alonzo HALE was one of the gallant soldiers to 
participate in the Grand Review.  In June, 1865, he was honorably discharged at 
Madison, after which he returned to his old home to be met with the sorrowful 
news, that during the time he himself was fighting his country's enemies, the 
aged father had met with his honorable discharge upon the battlefield of life.
 
Politically, Mr. HALE is a stanch member of the Republican party; is a member 
of Sherman Post, G.A.R., of Platteville, and is very popular in this 
organization.  Owing to his long service in the war, Alonzo Hale's health has 
never recovered its former good condition, but he does not regret the sacrifice 
he made, and is highly respected as one of Smelser's veteran citizens, and also 
as one of its progressive and successful farmers.

Submitted by:  Carol
(carolannh@ticon.net