Born near Richmond, Jefferson County, Ohio, April 1, 1839. Those who knew him, knew him only as a young man of most excellent character. Desirous of being useful in the world, he sought an education, and before him were bright hopes, having attained manhood in full strength and stature, enabling him to battle against the misfortunes of life. But the writing on the wall was different. The battle of life, which is civil, was changed to the battle of death or victory. A mighty revolution, the closing of the Irrepressible Conflict was upon us. The tocsin of war had sounded, and the camp fires were kindled for the conflict. The boys were leaving to rally around our beloved flag, and Harry Hale enlisted May 18, 1861, at Wellsburg, W. Va., in Company G, 1st Va. Infantry, for three months. Remaining in Wellsburg for a few days, departing from there by steamer, amidst floating banners and the wavings of hundreds of flags and kerchiefs, with many suggestions as to our dispositions of the enemy when we should meet them, following us clear down to the water's edge, bestowing on us many good and useful articles to carry with us, and away we sailed, the very hills echoing to the sounds of loyalty. We reached Wheeling Island, halting here a few days. Orders came and away we went into the Virginia Hills. After a series of tribulations we arrived at Grafton, where our Harry was attacked by fever and was taken out of camp to a private house for care. Oh, how we missed his good kind words, his always happy smile, and his volume of song--for he dearly loved to sing the songs of Zion and Our King, and far into the shades of night could his voice be heard as the leader, singing the national airs. A few weeks of suffering, and our Harry, amid strangers in a strange land, went down into the valley and shadow of death, over the dark river, and, we believe, up into the mansions of eternal rest, to sing that new song that no man could learn but the hundred and forty-four thousand which were redeemed from the earth. Notice of his death was sent to his friends, and his father, in company with Comrade Rothacker, brought the remains home to Richmond for interment.
Harry Hale was a working, active, honored and prominent member of the Temple of Honor; also a consistent and worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this Village. This being the the burial of the first fallen soldier of this vicinity, a large and sympathizing concourse of people were in attendance. Under the auspices of the Temple of Honor, public services were held, and all that remained on earth of our Comrade was laid away in the M. E. Cemetery to rest.

Rest, Soldier, rest. Once a year your comrades come, with Friendship, tender love and true. Freely to deck your honored sacred bed, our flag o'er its green turf to spread, Evergreens and flowers on thy monument to shed, Friendship, Charity and Loyalty our sacred pledge renew.