Wallace E. Purdy Biography


	This biography appears on page 155 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				WALLACE E. PURDY. 

	Wallace E. Purdy is the youngest member of the law firm of Hall, 
Alexander & Purdy, one of the strongest firms practicing at the bar of 
Brookings. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, February 3, 1883, his 
parents being George E. and Rhoda C. (Wallace) Purdy. His ancestry in 
the paternal line can be traced back in the state of New York to the 
eighteenth century. The great-great-grandfather, David Purdy, was born 
at North Castle, New York, in 1791, but of his father the family has no 
record. The mother's people — the Wallaces — came to North America 
about two generations ago, settling in Canada and thence drifting over 
into the United States, settling in Ohio. The father met and married 
his life's helpmate in Brooklyn, where she was visiting a sister, 
having gone to that city from her home in Cleveland, Ohio. In October, 
1889, George E. Purdy came to South Dakota and settled in Brookings, 
where for the past ten years he has been the custodian of the buildings 
at the State College. 

	Wallace E. Purdy was a little lad of but six years at the time of 
the arrival in this state. He at once entered the public schools and 
when he had mastered the course of instruction therein taught he 
entered the South Dakota State College at Brookings. Immediately 
following the completion of his studies he took up the study of law in 
1902 in the office of Cheever & Cheever, of Brookings, and in October, 
1906, he was admitted to the South Dakota bar. He then entered upon the 
practice of his profession and a year later became a member of the law 
firm of Hall, Alexander & Purdy, one of the leading law firms of 
eastern South Dakota. He is a young man of ambition and energy, 
qualities which are as requisite in law practice as in commercial or 
industrial lines. He was elected to the office of state's attorney of 
Brookings county in November, 1914. 

	In 1907 Mr. Purdy was united in marriage to Miss Lola G. La 
Grave, of Faribault, Minnesota, and to this marriage has been born a 
daughter, Helen Jean. Mr. Purdy is a member of Brookings Lodge, No. 24, 
A. F. & A. M., and also of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the 
Improved Order of Red Men and the Brookings Commercial Club He likewise 
has membership with the Baptist church, while his wife is an 
Episcopalian. They are a well known and popular young couple of the 
city and the number of their friends attests the attractiveness of 
their social qualities and of their warm-hearted hospitality.