BIO: George T. WALLACE, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 248-249. __________________________________________________________________ GEORGE T. WALLACE, Aitch, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born January 20, 1838, in Morris township, Huntingdon county, son of Samuel P. and Susan (Rathfond) Wallace. Michael Wallace, his grandfather, was Scotch by birth, and came to this country in early manhood, settling in Warriors Mark township. There he became the owner of a paper-mill near Laurel Springs, which he bought about 1820, and which, when he had erected a new building of stone for the paper manufacture, he converted into a clover-mill and linseed oil factory. He had near the same spot a store and a public house, besides a plaster mill. After conducting these various interests for about seven years, he returned to Morris township, where he had resided for some time before his settlement in Warriors Mark, and bought a farm. He also purchased the Union Furnace, built and conducted a grist mill, and opened a store, to which industries, in addition to the cultivation of his farm, he devoted himself for some time. He remained the rest of his life upon the farm. Michael Wallace was an active business man, and a useful and respected citizen. His politics were those of the old-time Whig party. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He married a Miss Wait. Their children were: Samuel P.; Mary; Benjamin; Robert; Susan; and Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are both dead. Their son, Samuel P. Wallace, was a farmer; he owned and cultivated some 700 acres in Morris township, which he greatly improved, building a brick dwelling, a barn and other conveniences. He was also interested in the manufacture of iron in Morris township, and was a fairly successful man. Among his other pursuits should be mentioned his attention to the raising of cattle and horses. He was a Whig, and afterwards became a Republican. He was supervisor and school director for his township, and director of the poor for the county. Samuel P. Wallace married Susan Rathfond, a native of Lancaster, of German family; their marriage was solemnized at Sinking Valley, Blair county, Pa. Their children are: Frances Mary (Mrs. Wilson Dysart), of Lee county, Ill.; Elizabeth; George T.; William, farmer, of Blair county; Caroline (Mrs. David Wray), of Bellwood, Blair county; Clara (Mrs. John Templeton), of Tyrone, Blair county; Samuel P., of Ohio; J. Elliot, merchant, of Altoona, Pa.; Cornelia N. and Henry N., died young. Mr. Wallace was a member of the Presbyterian church, and took a lively and active interest in church work; he was an elder. He won the respect and good will of all as a good husband and father, and a true friend to all in need. He died on the homestead in 1868; his good wife still survives, living among her children. George T. Wallace attended the common schools of Morris township, and remained with his father on the farm until he was eighteen; he then worked for two years on the Pennsylvania Railroad, after which he went to Lee county, Ill., and was employed for a time a farm hand. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Chicago, in the battalion of cavalry attached to the Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, and known as Bowers' Battalion; he was enrolled in Company C, under Colonel Weymons and Captain Miller. On the 9th of August Mr. Wallace was in the battle of Wilson Creek, Mo.; he was also in the engagements at Pea Ridge and at Pittsburg Landing, and several minor fights. He was hurt by being thrown from his horse, December 20, 1861, but recovered, served two years, and was mustered out at St. Louis, Mo., in June, 1865. He went home, only to re-enlist, August 19, of that year, in Company M., Nineteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. Mr. Wallace was in all the twenty-four battles in which this regiment had a share. He was wounded twice at Nashville, Tenn., and twice on December 19, was taken prisoner, but was discharged. He was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La. He then cam back to Morris township, but soon went to Cold Springs Forge, Blair county, as clerk and manager of the iron works there. Four years later he left that place for the Altoona car shops, where he was employed for three years and a half; then he was in the Huntingdon car shops for four years. Mr. Wallace then rented a Juniata township farm for one year, afterwards one in Penn township for two years. He then bought his present residence in Lincoln township, a tract of 108 acres. The purchase was made in 1878. He has built a comfortable house and barn, at a coast of over $2,000, and made other improvements. He is stock raiser as well as farmer. Mr. Wallace is a Republican. He was a school director for six years, and supervisor for twelve years. He is a member of the Union Veteran Legion of Huntingdon county. George T. Wallace was married in Lincoln township, in 1874, to Lucy, daughter of Jacob Summers, farmer, of Lincoln township, where Mrs. Wallace was born. Their children are: Jacob S., born May 3, 1875, a teacher, was educated in the township schools and at Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa.; and George E., born September 25, 1877. Mr. Wallace has been deacon and is elder in the Reformed church. He is a teacher, and the assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school.