The men's furnishing trade of Galena is worthily represented by the subject of this notice—a dealer in hats, caps, and general furnishing goods, which business he has successfully prosecuted at this point since the fall of 1874. He then began with a modest stock, which he has constantly increased up to the present time, receiving a steadily growing patronage from the best class of citizens. He removed to his present quarters in September, 1887, and has one of the most pleasant locations on Main street.

Mr. Wallace for a period of seven years operated as a first-class salesman in the employ of the firm of John & R. H. Fiddick. He came to this county in the summer of 1866, remaining a year, and then changed his residence to Dubuque, remaining there also a year. At the expiration of this time he came back to Galena, and entered the employ of Mr. Fiddick. He is straightforward and upright in his transactions, possesses excellent judgment in buying, and is popular both in social and business circles.

Mineral Point. Wis., was the native place of our subject, and his birth occurred Sept. 1, 1846. His parents were natives of Cornwall, England, and the father, James Wallace, was a miner by occupation in his native country. The mother was in her girlhood Miss Hannah Tippett, was also, like her husband, a native of Cornwall County, and of pure English stock. Her father's family comprised seventeen children. She was reared not far from Land's End. After their marriage, in 1840, James Wallace and his wife set out at once for America, and made their way directly to Wisconsin, where Mr. Wallace engaged in mining until 1850. He then, with others, set out across the plains to California, and spent four j-ears on the Pacific Slope with fair success. lie returned in the spring of 1854, via the Isthmus and the water route, but in the fall of the same year returned to California. and four years later, in January, 1858, was accidentally killed, at Moore's Flat, by the premature discharge of a blast. His remains were laid to rest not far from the scenes of his labors, when he was thirty-six years of age. He was a hard-working, honest man, and always ambitious to make a home for his family. The mother is still living, and makes her home in Mineral Point. After the death of her first husband she was married to a Mr. Webb. She is now seventy-two years of age, and a member in good standing of the Methodist Church.

Henry Wallace was the third child and second son of his mother's first marriage. His elder brother, William J., is connected with the boot and shoe house of M. I. Wells Co., of Chicago, and makes his home in the beautiful suburb of Oak Park. Caroline is the wife of Nicholas Reed, and they are residents of Mineral Point, Wis. Mr. Reed, however, is at present in the mining regions of Colorado. Elizabeth is the widow of Charles H. Glassen, who was killed at the Florence mines, Wis., about 1887. Mrs. Glassen makes her residence in Dubuque, and has a family. Alfred married Miss Hattie May, and is living at Mineral Point, Wis.; Mary J. is the wife^of Thomas H. White, who carries on the grocery and bakery business at Dubuque.

Our subject received careful parental training, but, on account of losing his father at an early age, was thrown upon his own resources when quite young. He determined to obtain a business education, and, with this end in view, earned money to obtain it. When about nineteen years old he became a student of the Eastman Business College, at Chicago, and later, for a period of three years, was employed in the mining regions of Keweenaw County, Mich., in the vicinity of Eagle Harbor.

The next most important event in the life of our subject; was his marriage, which took place in Dubuque, Nov. 27, 1872, the bride being Miss Anna E. Edwards, who was born in Hazel Green, Wis., March 1, 1853. Her parents, John and Ann (Fiddick) Edwards, were natives of Cornwall County, England, and crossed the Atlantic before their marriage, coming to this county, and were wedded in Galena. Mr. Edwards died in Dubuque, in 1868, when past his three-score years. The mother is still living, making her home with her son-in-law, 8. T. Edwards, in Galena, and is now eighty-two years old. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards identified themselves with the Methodist Episcopal Church many years ago.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wallace made their home in Galena, where they have since lived. Our subject, politically, is a decided Republican, and in religious matters both he and his estimable wife attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wallace, socially, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Lodge No. 273. Their pleasant home is located in the western part of the city, and the household includes four bright children—Henry Leroy, Annie Bernice, Edith Lucile, and Eugene E.

Transcribed by Christine Walters - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)