My Genealogy Hound

William J. Wallace has risen through his own efforts to a position as one of the prosperous and enterprising farmers of Darysaw Township. Born in Davidson County, Tenn., April 12, 1841, he is the son of John M. and Sarah E. (Smith) Wallace, both born, reared and married in Tennessee. The former was an expert mechanic, and followed his trade in Nashville for a number of years. In 1853 he moved to Mississippi and located in Carroll County, there engaging in farming and blacksmithing, and in the fall of 1874 took up his abode in Grant County, Ark., where his death occurred, in 1886; his wife had died four months previous. W. J. accompanied his parents to Mississippi, being at that time a lad of twelve, having received most of his education in Nashville, Tenn., before that age, but his keen observation has made him a well-informed man, thoroughly posted on all current subjects of the day. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service as a private in the Fourth Mississippi Infantry, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and served in that capacity till disabled in 1864. He participated in the fight of Fort Donelson, and was captured and taken prisoner, being held seven months at Indianapolis, and exchanged at Vicksburg in September, 1862. He was afterward in the fight at Port Gibson, and also in the engagement at Big Black Bridge, where he was again captured, but escaped after three days’ confinement, by walking out in Federal uniform. In an encounter eleven miles above Atlanta he was shot through the right arm and permanently disabled. After the war Mr. Wallace returned to Carroll County, Miss., and resumed the occupation of farming, but in the fall of 1874 moved to Arkansas and located in Grant County. In 1883 he came to the place where he now resides. He is an industrious, energetic man, as is evinced by the excellent state in which his land now is, the good condition of his house, barns, etc., indicating prosperity and comfort. He has 300 acres with seventy-five well improved, and possesses all the stock and implements to successfully carry on his operations. Mr. Wallace was married June 17, 1860, when in his twentieth year, to Miss Mary A. Booth, of Mississippi, daughter of the Rev. J. R. Booth, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. They are the parents of seven children living: William, Robert and George (married), Dudley, Reuben, Nathan and Ida. Two children are dead: Mittie (who died at Sheridan, aged six years) and James (died in infancy in 1871). Mr. Wallace was elected justice of the peace, serving one term, and served eight years as notary public. In 1886 he was elected clerk of Grant County, and served one term, again retiring to private life, preferring the farm to the confinement of office work. He was appointed by the Governor as one of the board of equalization in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace and all their children, except the youngest, are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he is one of the ruling elders. He is a member of the Masonic order, and Past Master.