My Genealogy Hound

DAVID B. WALLACE was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 23, 1856. His father, William R. Wallace, a lineal descendant of Sir William Wallace, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1810, and came to America in 1848, settling in New York City, where he remained one year, then removed to Washington, D. C., where he followed his occupation, that of a lithographer and engraver. In 1853 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and established the business of lithography and engraving, the firm name being Middleton, Wallace & Co., and it was the first establishment of that character west of the Allegheny Mountains. He conducted this business four years, when he started on a tour around the world, finally stopping in Australia, where he received a government office under Queen Victoria, which he held until 1860, when he returned to the United States, and espoused the cause of the Confederacy, his three eldest sons allying themselves with the North. He made his residence at Ludlow, Ky., and at this point carried out a contract with the Southern Confederacy to make the money for the Confederate States, for which he was incarcerated in prison, but was released because of insufficient proof. During the latter part of the war he traveled in the South, and at its close returned to Newport for a time, whence he again went South, and finally settled at Mobile, Ala., where he resumed his occupation as lithographer, making many of the maps for the southern railroads then in process of construction. He died at Mobile, October 2, 1870, of yellow fever. He married Mary Job, a native of Dublin, Ireland, daughter of William and Mary (Johnson) Job, both natives of Ireland. William Job was a landed proprietor, and held many government positions. Mrs. Wallace bore her husband six sons and two daughters, the subject of this sketch being the seventh child. Alexander Wallace grandfather of David B., was a native of Glasgow, Scotland. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of Covington, Newport and Cincinnati. Reverses in his father’s fortune, through the influence of the Rebellion, caused him, at the age of twelve years, to be apprenticed to learn the printer’s trade in the establishment of E. Weston. His position not offering him the opportunities he desired, he obtained employment in a larger establishment, and finally, in 1882, entered the office of the Daily Gazette, and remained there for five years, when he formed a partnership in the job printing business with J. L. McGrew, managing the mechanical department, and devoting a part of his time to a better education. When he attained his majority his assiduity to his business, and close confinement, had made such inroads upon his health that he was compelled to seek rest, and he therefore traveled for two years, giving attention to his business, and recuperating his health. He arrived at Warsaw, Ky., in March, 1880, and at the special solicitation of prominent citizens established the Independent, the first number of which was issued May 1, 1880, and out of about a dozen journalistic efforts made at this place was the only successful one, and a material influence for the better was manifested in all the county affairs through its agency. Mr. Wallace is a Royal Arch Mason, and has been secretary of the chapter for many years. He is also a member of Tadmor Lodge, No. 108, F. & A. M., and it’s retiring Worshipful Master. He was representative to the Grand Lodge in 1886 by virtue of his office. He is a member of the Kentucky Lodge, No. 39, I. O. O. F., and has been twice elected to fill the chair of Noble Grand, and now fills that office; was representative to the Grand Lodge in 1885-86, and served on committees of both sessions, being at present a member of the committee of foreign correspondence. He is an enthusiastic member of both orders, and said to be one of the brightest in each lodge. In politics he is a Republican, and was town trustee in 1886. He has never married.