Transcribed by Patty Gaddis
WALLACE, WILLIAM W., a venerable resident of Springfield who has many interesting recollections of early days there, when present conditions were not even dreamed of, was born in Prince Edward County, Va., June 19, 1830, a son of Julian C. and Eveline F. (Godsey) Wallace, natives of Virginia. The former was born January 3, 1816, and the latter, April 12, 1812. The father was a shoemaker by trade, who looking for better conditions, left Virginia in 1836, for Franklin County, Ky., making the trip by wagon. This State continued his home until his death on March 16, 1881. His wife survived him only until November 6th, of the same year. One son of Julian C., Charles R Wallace, enlisted in 1862 in the Union Army, and fought bravely until the close of the war. Edward A. Wallace, another son, enlisted the same year as his brother, was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, and incarcerated at Libby Prison and Andersonville, spending nine months in all in these two prisons.
William W. Wallace attended the subscription schools of Kentucky, at the same time helping his father until he was twenty-two years of age. He continued farming until 1858, in his native State, but in that year came to Riverton, IL., where he took a contract to cut 100 cords of timber. For a year he worked in the timber, and in a saw-mill, and then for five months worked on a farm, when he returned to the timber, to engage with Amos Grubb. His association with him continued until 1860.
Mr. Wallace was married in Franklin County, Ky., July 18, 1855, to Ann C. Woodruff, born in Franklin County, daughter of John and Mary A. (Petty) Woodruff, natives of Kentucky, where the father was a wagon-maker. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wallace: Jane C Bashaw; Isabelle Dickerson; John W., a farmer near Bissell, Ill; Charles H., a farmer; Sarah C. Glose; Nettie Johnson, on a farm near Ransom, Kan.; Louis A. in the Racine Sattlery Plow Works; Frank E., also at the plow works; Mary Drendel and A. O. who died February 7, 1906. Mr. Wallace is a Republican and belongs to the Christian Church, living out, in his simple, steadfast life, the faith he professes in his religious connections. He is a kindly man, who has made many friend during his residence in the community, and his children have made their mark wherever they have located.