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Hemingway, Clarence E., Dr. and Grace Hall

Dr. Clarence E. Hemingway (1871—1928), medical doctor, and Grace Hall Hemingway (1872—1951), musician and artist; parents of Nobel Prize winning novelist Ernest Hemingway.
Buried in Forest Park.

Both Clarence Hemingway and Grace Hall were born in Oak Park and graduated from Oak Park High School. Young Clarence, whose father Anson was a Civil War veteran and realtor, went on to Oberlin College and Rush Medical College before establishing a medical practice in the village. Grace, a gifted musician who aspired to a professional career, performed for local clubs and gave music lessons in her home.

Their parents' homes were located across from each odier on Oak Park Avenue. The two became romantically involved when the handsome Dr. Hemingway made frequent visits to the Hall home while treating Grace's mother in her final, illness.

They wed and had five children, including world-renowned writer, Ernest. Dr. Hemingway's medical practice thrived, and his horse and buggy were a familiar sight at least until 1912. He shared his love of the outdoors with his children, often taking them along on hunting and fishing trips. He also suffered from depression and, despondent over a diagnosis of diabetes, shot himself with his fathers Civil War pistol in 1928.

Grace was a noted singer, as well as a piano and voice teacher, whose efforts often generated more income than her husbands practice. Formally trained as an opera singer in her youth, she was accepted by the Metropolitan Opera Company and made her debut at Madison Square Garden in 1891. But she gave up a career on stage to concentrate on rearing her children, and fostered Ernest's early writing efforts. She was an active campaigner for women's rights who served on the Illinois State Suffrage Commission and belonged to a variety of community organizations in Oak Park, including The Nineteenth Century Woman's Club. In her later years, she became interested in painting and produced over 600 works.

The inscriptions on their gravestones refer to Bible verses. Dr. Hemingway's verse, John 15:13, is Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend. On Grace's stone is Psalm 28:7, The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped.

Sources used in the compilation of these entries include but not limited to:

• From "Nature's Choicest Spot" ... a Guide to Forest Home and Germany Waldheim Cemeteries prepared by The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest.

• Graveyards of Chicago by Matt Hucke and Ursula Bielski -- a book which describes many of the Chicago area cemeteries.

• "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50^th Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906", provided by Richard Vitton, President of the Historical Society of Forest Park.

Last Modified:  12/04/2002