She was the daughter of wealthy merchant Ernest Miller Hall (1840—1905) and Caroline Hancock (1843—1895), both natives of England.

Ernest M. Hall had immigrated to America in 1855 and fought during the American Civil War, serving as a corporal in Company L, 1st Iowa Cavalry from September 1861 to August 1862.

While living in a rental house nearby, the couple supervised construction of their new home, designed by architect Wesley Arnold.

[6] In the fall of 1895, Hall went to New York City to study with Luisa Cappiani—a well-known opera coach—and, in 1896, she debuted as a talented contralto with the Apollo-Club in Madison Square Garden.

She later was offered a contract by the Metropolitan Opera but turned it down for two reasons: her eyes, weakened from a childhood illness, could not tolerate the bright stage lighting, and she was greatly influenced by Hemingway's many letters, imploring her to return to Oak Park.

Their mother did not participate in the domestic chores in the Hemingway household, but their father often cooked, planned meals, helped with laundry and did seasonal canning.

[10][11] Hall Hemingway focused her maternal energy on encouraging and inspiring her children in the cultural world of literature, art, poetry and music.

Their father was an excellent outdoorsman who introduced the Hemingway children to swimming, camping, fishing, hiking, and hunting.

With these sketches, the architect designed a three-story, eight-bedroom stucco home for the family, with a large music studio for herself and an office for her husband to see medical patients.

As Ernest matured as a young man, he often chafed under her rules, intent on exploring sports, hobbies and activities that interested him.

Clarence was often away from home for long periods of time, and his depression caused him to withdraw from the family, which made things more difficult for Ernest during his teens.

In an interview in the April 1937 issue of Artistry Magazine, she claimed to have painted over 600 pictures, mainly landscapes.

According to author John Raeburn, "In the Hemingway household, her imperious presence and propensity for self-dramatization contrasted with her husband's irritable remoteness.

Ernest and his second wife Pauline set up a trust fund for his mother to help support her for the remainder of her life.