My Genealogy Hound

WIILLIAM D. WALLACE is the genial proprietor of a general store located on Main Street, Sedalia. His establishment is well stocked with both new and second-hand goods, and he receives a liberal patronage from the people of the town and surrounding country. He is a jovial, public-spirited man, and attracts many customers to his counters by his considerate attention to their wants, and his honesty and integrity in all his dealings with them. A self-made and self-educated man, he deserves great credit for the energetic efforts which have brought him success.

The subject of this sketch was born October 31, 1845, in Warren County, Ill. His ancestors were among the early settlers of Kentucky, the first of the family to locate in that state being our subject’s great-grandfather. The grandfather, Thomas Wallace, was a native of Kentucky and there grew to manhood and married. Our subject’s father, Robert Wallace, was likewise born in that state, and emigrated with his parents to Illinois in the year 1833. At that time the state was an almost trackless prairie, and many were the hardships which they were called upon to endure before they were able to reap the benefits of their labor. They located in Warren County, and there remained until the father’s death, which occurred in 1860, at the age of sixty years. He lived a sincere Christian life, and was much beloved. He was the father of eleven children.

After his father’s death Robert Wallace continued farming near Monmouth until 1866, then removed to Monroe County, Mo., where he again engaged in agricultural pursuits. Deciding to change his line of business, he went to Paris and there built a flourmill, continuing its operation for about four years. For one year afterward he was in Kansas, and then returned to the place owned by our subject, and remained two years. At the expiration of that time he went to Kentucky, where he was accidentally killed by the cars when sixty-one years old. He was a faithful minister of the Christian Church, and received his education entirely through his own efforts.

The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Catherine Claycomb. She was a native of Kentucky, and was the daughter of Frederick Claycomb, a native of Scotland, who came to America in his youth, and married a woman of German parentage. He was a farmer in Kentucky, and emigrated to Warren County at an early date. They were the parents of fourteen children, and three of their family married members of the Wallace family. Catherine Wallace became the mother of six children, two of whom arrived at years of maturity, as follows: William D. and Jennie, the latter now Mrs. Smith, of Paris, Mo. The mother of this family also died when sixty-one years old.

Reared to manhood in Illinois, our subject received the rudiments of his education in its district schools, and later attended Abingdon College for one year. He afterward taught school for two terms, and then turned his attention to farming on the home place In 1866, as before stated, he came to Missouri and settled in Monroe County, where he rented a farm and for one year was engaged in its cultivation. He later entered his father’s mill, where he was employed for five years, and in 1876 came to Pettis County, remaining one year. The year following he operated a farm on the Saline County line, and then farmed for four years in Prairie Township. From there he came to Sedalia, becoming interested in the Enterprise Mill, which was operated by his father-in-law, John C. Kipper, and with which he was identified for two years. Subsequently he served as Deputy Constable for a period of three years, receiving his appointment from Mont Carns.

June 8, 1873, in Pettis County, occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Ella M. Kipper. She is a native of Monroe County, this state, and is the daughter of John C. Kipper, a native of Virginia. The Kipper family were early settlers of Monroe County and J. C. Kipper was a large saw and flour-mill owner of that county for many years. Besides his mill interests he was also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a Southern sympathizer during the late war, and lost most of his property during that struggle. Without cause, he was arrested and placed in jail at Palmyra, but shortly afterward secured his release. After the war he continued in business for a time in Monroe County, and then came to Sedalia, building a mill here and making his home here until his death.

To our subject and his estimable wife were born three children, Blanche, Gurney and J. Kipper. The family is very popular and their hospitality is well known. They occupy a pleasant residence erected by our subject at the corner of Eleventh Street and Moniteau Avenue, where they welcome their many friends. It was in the year 1887 that Mr. Wallace began his present line of business, and by energy and good judgment it has proved a successful venture. His place of business is located at No. 205 West Main Street, and occupies a space 24x140 feet.

Politically Mr. Wallace is a Democrat, and a stanch defender of the principles of that party. At one time he was a member of the police force, receiving his appointment from J. D. Crawford and serving one year. He is identified with the Christian Church, in which organization he takes an active part. Socially he belongs to Amity Lodge No. 69, A. O. U. W., in which he is a past officer, and has acted as delegate to the Grand Lodge. He is also a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor.