John A. Wallace

As printed in 1910

JOHN ANDREW WALLACE.

One of Maryville’s best known citizens is John Andrew Wallace, chief of police of this city and unquestionably one of the best officials the city has ever known, judging from his unblemished and praiseworthy record and his popularity with the general public. This statement is not made with a view to indulge in any undue flattery, but because facts warrant it, as those who know him best stand ready to attest.

Mr. Wallace was born on June 1, 1866, on a farm in Harrison county, Missouri, the son of John L. and Ellen (Dodge) Wallace. The father was born on November 26, 1837, on a farm in Macon county, Missouri, and there he grew to maturity and was educated. In 1871 he came to Nodaway county, settling on one hundred and six acres in Polk township, where he followed farming, which had been his chief occupation, until 1908, when he retired and moved into Maryville, locating on East Second street, where he is now enjoying the fruits of his early life of activity. Politically he is a Republican and a member of the Methodist church. He was married on July 4, 1861, to Ellen Dodge, of Kane county, Illinois. She was born January 6. 1846. Fourteen children were born to this union, eleven of whom are still living.

John A. Wallace, of this review, was reared on the home farm and educated in the common schools. When twenty years of age he rented a farm and began life for himself, following this line of endeavor until 1895, in which year he moved to Maryville. He bought a restaurant and operated the same successfully for five months, then became special policeman until April, 1896. He was then appointed on the regular force, serving nearly five years at this in a very faithful manner and attracting the attention of party leaders by his conscientious discharge of duty at all times and he was singled out as the proper person to head the police department. Accordingly in 1900 he was elected chief of police and he has since held this position to the entire satisfaction of all, irrespective of party affiliations. His majority at the election in April, 1910, for re-election was two hundred and seventy-one, which is proof of his popularity. The second time he ran he was elected by a majority of four hundred and twenty-nine. He is loyal to the Republican party. He has been deputy sheriff for a period of nine years.

Mr. Wallace is a member of the Methodist church and the Knights of Pythias. On March 21. 1886, he was married to Alice Green, of Pickering, who was born December 19, 1869. This union has resulted in the birth of four children: Mary is the wife of William Edwards, manager of the Linville Hotel at Maryville; Omar C. is agent and operator for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad at Parkville, Missouri; Florence E. is living at home; and Blanche is attending the local high school.

As printed in Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.