[p. 461] a representative citizen of Union Township, where he has engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, belongs to one of the old pioneer families of this section. He was born July 2, 1837, in what is now Scott Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of William R. and Isabella (McCracken) Wallace.
In tracing his remote ancestry, Mr. Wallace has found that in all probability he belongs to the same family from which sprung the noble chieftain, Sir William Wallace, whose descendants left Scotland and settled in County Antrim, Ireland. From there came the founder of the family in America, Robert Wallace, who settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania, where his son, Robert, the grandfather of Robert Wallace, was born. Grandfather Robert Wallace settled in what is now Scott Township, Lawrence County, when all this section was practically a wilderness. Here he reared his family and one of his sons, William R., subsequently became the father of Robert Wallace. William R. Wallace died in 1896. He was a man of useful life and was held in high esteem by his fellow citizens. For over a quarter of a century he served as a justice of the peace and was also elected a county commissioner of Lawrence County. In his political views he was a Republican. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. He married Isabella McCracken, who was born in the north of Ireland. To them were born the following children: Robert; Jacob, residing at New Castle; William, John R. and George M., all residing in Union Township, and Mary E., wife of George Thompson, residing at Edenburg, Pa.
Robert Wallace obtained his education in the country schools. From his youth he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. On November 2, 1859, he was married to Sarah Young, who was born in Union Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1836. She is a daughter of David and Jane (McGuffey) Young. Her father was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, a son of William Young, who was an early settler in Union Township. The mother of Mrs. Wallace was born in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have the following children: Jennie M., who married Nathan Offutt, of Plain Grove Township; Isabella, who married Clark A. McCombs, of Struthers Ohio; David Y. and Willey W., both of whom reside in Union Township, the latter being a U. S. mail carrier at New Castle; Lizzie G., who married John B. Brewster, residing in North Beaver Township, and Frank H., who lives in Union Township.
Mr. Wallace is a Republican in his political views. For over a quarter of a century he has served as a school director in Union Township and in other ways has demonstrated his interest in the welfare and advancement of his section. With his wife he belongs to the Central Presbyterian Church at New Castle.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 24 Oct 2001