William A. Wallace | |
|---|---|
 Wallace, 1865–1880 | |
| United States Senator fromPennsylvania | |
| In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1881 | |
| Preceded by | John Scott |
| Succeeded by | John I. Mitchell |
| Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus | |
| In office March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881 | |
| Preceded by | John W. Stevenson |
| Succeeded by | George H. Pendleton |
| Member of thePennsylvania Senate for the34th district | |
| In office 1875–1886 | |
| Member of thePennsylvania Senate for the18th district | |
| In office 1872–1874 | |
| Member of thePennsylvania Senate for the23rd district | |
| In office 1865–1871 | |
| Member of thePennsylvania Senate for the20th district | |
| In office 1863–1864 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Andrew Wallace (1827-11-28)November 28, 1827 Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | May 22, 1896(1896-05-22) (aged 68) New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
William Andrew Wallace (November 28, 1827 – May 22, 1896) was an American lawyer and politician fromPennsylvania who served as aDemocratic member of theUnited States Senate for Pennsylvania from 1875 to 1881. He also served as a member of thePennsylvania State Senate for the20th district from 1863 to 1886 including as speaker in 1871.
William Wallace was born on November 28, 1827, inHuntingdon, Pennsylvania, to Robert Wallace and Jane Hemphill. He relocated with his parents toClearfield, Pennsylvania, in 1836. He graduated from Clearfield academy and began studying law at the age of 16 at his father's law practice. He was admitted to the bar in 1847[1] and began work as a lawyer in Clearfield in addition to teaching at Clearfield Academy.
He served as a captain of the Clearfield Guards in 1854 and became a prominent member of thePeace Democrats from Pennsylvania during the U.S. Civil War.[2]
He served in the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 20th district from 1863 to 1886, including as Speaker in 1871. While in the State Senate, Wallace was member of a commission charged with drafting amendments to the 1874Pennsylvania Constitution.[2]
In 1875, Wallace waselected as a Democrat by thePennsylvania General Assembly to the United States Senate. He served one term from March 1875 until March 1881, and was unsuccessful in seeking re-election in1881. In the U.S. Senate, Wallace served as chairman of the Democratic Conference from 1877 until 1881 and as chairman of the Committee on the Revision of Laws of the United States during the46th Congress (1879–81). He also served on the Finance, Appropriations and Foreign Relations committees.[3]
After his U.S. Senate service, Wallace continued to practice law and returned to the state senate.
Wallace was a successful businessman and in 1864 purchased the Smith Mines fromAndrew Curtin and renamed them the Wallace Mines. He served as a member of the first board of directors of the Clearfield County Bank in 1865 and the County National Bank of Clearfield. In 1871, Wallace invested in land adjacent to the Logan Coal Company and began a coal mining operation which he sold in 1878. He worked as vice president of theTexas and Pacific Railroad, president of theBeech Creek Railroad, director of the Clearfield Cemetery Association and part owner of the Wallacetown Brick Company.[2]
Wallace was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania twice, once in 1886 and again in 1890.[4]
Wallace died of astroke while inNew York City on business in 1896.[2]
william a wallace pennsylvania senator.
| Pennsylvania State Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of thePennsylvania Senate,20th district 1863-1886 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. Senate | ||
| Preceded by | U.S. Senator (Class 1) from Pennsylvania 1875–1881 Served alongside:Simon Cameron,J. Donald Cameron | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of the Senate Law Revision Committee 1879–1881 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chair of theSenate Democratic Caucus 1877–1881 | Succeeded by |
| Class 1 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 3 | ||
| Notes | † Never officially seated | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
