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WALLACE, WILLIAM G.
Portrait and Biographical Album of Oakland County, Michigan, Chapman Bros. (1891), pp. 372, 375
WILLIAM G. WALLACE, a farmer residing on section 2, Highland Township, Oakland County, is a son of John, a son of Henry, who was born in Ireland and came to America at an early day. He settled in Canada, whence he removed to New York. After sojourning there a number of years he returned to Canada and ended his days there. He was the father of four sons. John Wallace was born in Canada and at the age of twenty removed to New York, where he resided until the breaking out of the Civil War. In 1862 he enlisted in the army and served till the close of the war. He remained at home for two years and then joined the regular army where he served for ten years.
When Mr. Wallace came out of the army he bought a farm in Highland Township, Oakland County, where he lived for two years. He then sold out and going to Saginaw worked as foreman for two years in a mill. Next he embarked in the mercantile and bakery business, in which he is now engaged. He was married in Canada to Rebecca Robinson, and unto them were born four sons - David H., William G., our subject, James J. and Albert.
The subject of this sketch was born in 1858 on May 18, at Brockport, N. Y., and at the age of eleven years he began supporting himself. He worked on a farm first at home, then in Iowa, and when nineteen years of age he came to Michigan. When he was twenty-three years old he went to work for the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad. He was here for two years and then entered a stave mill in Saginaw, and after two years' work there returned to the railroad and served as brakeman for two years. At the age of twenty-nine years he was promoted to the position of conductor. After serving as conductor for three years this young man drew a prize of $15,000 in the Louisiana State Lottery, and in 1890 he bought a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-two acres, well improved and furnished with good buildings. Here he carries on mixed farming. His marriage took place July 4, 1879. He was then united to Ida J., a daughter of Timothy Mills of New York, who came to Michigan in 1866 and settled in Howell, Livingston County, where he died. Mrs. Wallace's parents had eight children. Her father was a miller by trade and united with that business the work of a farmer. He was a Methodist in religious belief. His death occurred in 1870. His wife, whose maiden name was Cynthia McDoll, made a second marriage. She was united with Charles Butts and by that marriage had two children, a son and a daughter. One daughter only has come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace. She was born [Begin Page 375] March 25, 1885. Mr. Wallace is a Republican in his convictions and has been a consistent adherent to that party all his life. He was a member of the Trainmen's order when connected with the railroad and he and his wife are members of the Protestant Methodist Church. A view of the rural home of Mr. Wallace appears on another page.
