This American retailer was launched by Ernest Hall (1940-1905), who was apparently the son of Charles Hall – a merchant and cutlery manufacturer in Brookhill – and his wife, Mary.  In 1860, Ernest left for America.  He fought in the Civil War, was wounded, and then started a wholesale cutlery business in Chicago.  His partner was his brother-in-law, William L. Randall.  Hall prospered and built a house in Oak Park, where he apparently cultivated the appearance of an English country gentleman.  His only daughter, Grace, married an Oak Park doctor, Clarence Hemingway.  Their son, the famous author Ernest Hemingway, was named after his grandfather.  In 1905, Ernest Hall died in Chicago from Bright’s disease.  ‘Randall, Hall & Co, Sheffield’ was apparently stamped on the firm’s imported razors (and possibly other cutlery).