Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 287
HON. ROBERT THOMPSON WALLACE, one of the enterprising business men of Muscatine, Iowa, was born in Allegheny County, Pa., Sept. 29, 1826, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Irwin) Wallace, who were also natives of the same county. The father was of Scotch origin, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Robert was one of a family of ten children, of whom the following lived to maturity: Mary, wife of William Rigg, of Valparaiso County, Ind., Joseph, a resident of Lawrence County, Pa.; Jane, widow of William Newell, of New Castle, Pa.; and Robert T. The father was a carpenter and builder by trade, and in connection with his labors in that line owned and operated a farm. After sixty-six years of happy wedded life, he died at the advanced age of ninety-three, and Mrs. Wallace was of the same age at the time of her death.

Our subject spent his boyhood days in Allegheny County, Pa., on a farm. He began his education in the subscription schools, and later attended the common schools of his native State. When sixteen years of age he began life's battle as a clerk, receiving $8 per month, and later was employed by a canal company as collector of tolls. In the month of July, 1856, he left Pennsylvania for the then Far West, locating in the village of Muscatine. He soon secured employment as a salesman, but shortly afterward formed a partnership with Max Black, as agents for the steamboat companies on the Mississippi River. This business was prosecuted for eleven years, when, on account of failing health, he sold out to his partner. His next venture was in the retail grocery business, forming a partnership in that line with Col. Beach, to whom he sold his share two years later, when he went to Chicago and began dealing in building material. During the financial panic of 1873 he was much reduced in circumstances, but continued business in Chicago until 1876, when he returned to Muscatine, and in 1881 began dealing in wood, coal and building material, in which line he still continues.

In 1861 Mr. Wallace was united in marriage with Mary A. Kerr, daughter of Dr. J. P. Kerr, of Claysville, Washington Co., Pa., and by their union three children were born: William N., a graduate of the High School of Iowa City, and now cashier of Crane Bros.' Manufacturing Company of Chicago. The other two are now deceased. In 1868, Mrs. Wallace, who was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a lady highly respected in the community where she resided, was called to her final rest.

In his political sentiments Mr. Wallace is an uncompromising Democrat, and has been honored by several local offices, having held the position of Marshal in 1879. He was elected to the office of Mayor in 1882, re-elected in 1883, and again in 1884. The able manner in which he discharged his duties is well attested by the fact of his second and third re-election.

It is with pleasure we present the portrait of Mr. Wallace in connection with this sketch.

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