William H. Wallace was born in Clark County, Kentucky,
October 11, 1848. His parents were farmers, and it was on their
place Mr. Wallace was born. The family removed to a farm near
Lee's Summit, Mo., and Mr. Wallace attended the district
schools. After his schooling in his home county, Mr. Wallace
went to Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., where he took the
classical course. He graduated from the college in 1871 with the
title of A.B. affixed to his name, and soon after took up
school-teaching as an occupation in Jackson County. He
afterwards went into the newspaper business, working on the Sentinel
at Independence, Mo., and as correspondent for the Kansas City Times.
He studied law in the office of former
Attorney-General John A. Hockaday at Fulton, Mo., and was admitted to
the bar in 1873. He practiced the profession in Independence for
five years after being admitted to the bar, then came to this city to
continue it.
He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of this
county in 1880 and was re-elected at the expiration of his first term.
He gained national fame through his fearless
prosecution of the James boys, and at all times during the strenuous
period carried his life in his hands.
Mr. Wallace is a Mason and a member of the
Knights of Pythias.
He was married in 1887 to Miss Elizabeth
Chiles, daughter of Mr. C. C. Chiles, of Independence. They have
two children, W. H., Jr., aged fourteen, and May, aged twelve.
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