Robert C. Wallace
History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894
USGENWEB Montana Archives,maintained by burns@asu.eduHon. 

Robert C. Wallace, who has long been identified with 
Helena and who is ranked with her successful businessmen,
was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, February 26, 1837, a 
descendant of Lowland Scotch Presbyterian ancestors.His 
parents, John and Agnes (Craig) Wallace, continued to 
reside in Scotland until 1844, when they emigrated with 
their family of six children to America, and settled in 
Detroit, Michigan. In Detroit, John Wallace, a physician, 
practiced his profession until 1863 when he removed to 
Berlin, Michigan. At the latter place he still resides,
 having attained the ripe old age of ninety-one years. 
His wife died in 1858, at the age of fifty-four.Robert 
C. Walace was seven years old when his parents located 
in Detroit. In the public schools of that city he received 
his education and after leaving school he was employed as 
a clerk in the store of G. & R. McMilan, of Detroit with 
whom he reamined for seven years. After that he spent 
five years in the employ of H.H. & R.F. Wright.In the 
summer of 1860, in company with one of his brothers, he 
opened a grocery in Detroit. But about this time the 
trouble between North and South arose, Fort Sumpter was 
fired upon, and a call was made for volunteers to protect
the old flag. He enlisted in the First Michigan Volunteer 
Infantry for a term of three months, and at the expiration 
of that time returned to his home and resumed business; 
but in 1862 when the call for soldiers became urgent, he 
again enlisted, this time in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, 
with which he served until the close of the war. He 
participated in many of the battles of the Army of the 
Potomac and on one occasion in the spring of 1863, at a 
skirmish at Hawkhurst Mills, he was taken prisoner, was 
exchanged that summer and rejoined his regiment. He 
entered the ranks as a private and for meritorious service 
was repeatedly promoted, coming out of the army with the 
commission of Major.The war over, Mr. Wallace secured a 
postion as traveling salesman for a wholesale tobacco 
house, but remained withthat firm only a short time. 
Then he accepted a clerkship on the steamers running 
between Detroit and Lake Superior,the Dubuque and 
Ontonagon. He was thus occupied until the spring of 
1869 when he decided to seek his fortune in theWest. 
He accordingly came to Helena. Here he was successively 
engaged in mining, farming and clerking. While employed 
in the latter capacity he saved his wages and in the 
spring of 1871 started a small business of his own.In 
1873 he formed a partnership with James L. Davis, which 
partnership continued for a period of ten years, when 
Mr. Wallace purchased the interest of Mr. Davis, and 
from that time up to the present has conducted the 
business in his own name. Prosperity has attended him 
on every hand. Not only in his grocery business as he 
been successful,but also in his investments in mines 
and real esteate. He owns both city and ranch property, 
among the former beingthe attractive residence which 
he and his family occupy and which was built by him.Mr. 
Wallace has always been affiliated with the Republican 
party. When Helena was incorporated he had the honor of 
being elected as her first City Treasurer. In 1883 he 
was elected to the Territorial Legislature and served 
in that capacity. He was also elected Alderman of Helena, 
which office, however, he resigned in order to givehis 
undivided attention to his own personal affairs. He was 
made a Mason in Detroit in 1864. Also, he belongs to 
the A.O.U.W., G.A.R., Loyal Legion and Cadedonial Club 
of Helena.In 1875 he married Ellen M. Shaw, an ative of 
Michigan and a daughter of F.B. Shaw. She died in 1890, 
leaving twochildren, a son and daughter, David R. and 
Marguerette.In business life Mr. Wallace has met with 
satisfactory success. As a businessman, a soldier and a 
citizen, his whole career has been characterized by the 
strictest fidelity and today he ranked with the leading 
men of Helena.

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