Submitted photo
The Hall family gathered for a reunion in Stratford in late May, after more than 50 years. In the back row, from left, are Steve Monson, Gordon Reed, Martin Nichols, Mike Monson, Joel Stewart, Louis Nichols, Pat Nichols, Chris Nichols, Marna Hall Seiser, and Todd Von Ehwegen. In front, from left, are: Kendra Monson Stumpenhorst, Sharon Reed Bertrand, Maureen Reed, Patty Riley Reed, Laura Riley Nichols, Anne Hall Stuart, Mitzi Reed, and Candace Reed Terry.

The five generation Hall farm, which is a century farm in Lehigh, had a celebration on May 30 with a living genealogy and reunion held at the city park in Stratford. Thirty-five people were hosted by Kendra Stumpenhorst, Laura Monson and assistants. This was the first such reunion since 1969 and carries on the Sabin Hall tradition.

Relatives came to this reunion from Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, South Dakota, and Tennessee. The entire families of Laura and Patty Riley attended, who originally were from Webster City. The local families included the Monsons and Stumpenhorsts, who farm in the Stratford area, and Anthea Hall Stewart from Webster City. Others came from Williams, Cedar Rapids, Sioux Falls and Homer.

Edgar Hall bought the farm in 1894 from the first homesteader. Edgar’s son Sabin farmed from 1894-1944. Upon Sabin’s retirement in Webster City, his son Glenn assumed farming at the Hall farm.

Following Glenn’s retirement, Glenda Jean Hall married Jim Monson who carried on the farming tradition. Now their son Steve Monson is carrying on operations at the Hall family farm.