Smith Wallace

As printed in 1881

SMITH WALLACE, farmer; P. O. Donelsville; is a son of Hugh M. Wallace, who was born in Kentucky, Aug. 14, 1778, and lost his parents when young, but remained in his native State until about 20 years old, when he came to the Northwest, stopping in what is now Bethel Township, Clark Co., Ohio; here began work for a previous settler, David Lowry, who had erected a rude pioneer grist-mill on Donnel's Creek. His labors continued for Mr. Lowry several years, and it is supposed that he married in the year Ohio was admitted in the United States, Margaret Smith (an aunt of Gen. J. Warren Keifer). She was born in what is now Bethel Township. Their union lasted only a few years, when the terrible destroyer, consumption, tore her from the earthly care, leaving husband and one-child. The latter soon too passed into eternity and the former during their union had entered the southwest quarter of Sec. 27, Bethel Township. After continuous efforts and hard labor, he had paid eighty dollars, but failed to complete the task, hence lost both land and money. After the death of his wife, he remained in the employ of Mr. David Lowry until the desperate red man’s deeds in 1812 were to be suppressed. - In this struggle he was a participant, enduring many privations, but on July 6, 1814, he married for his second wife, Eleanor Richison, who was born in the Northwest Feb. 10, 1793. Nine children were born to them, of whom seven now survive. Soon after this marriage, Hugh again, with renewed efforts, entered the same quarter section; by perseverance and determination succeeded in completing his task. This dense wilderness was gradually converted into open fields. When they first settled on this farm, Mrs. Wallace and her mother Mrs. Richison, would frequently walk to Dayton, do their trading and return the same day with groceries, etc., on their backs, making a round trip of about 35 miles. Thus Hugh and family trod the path of life until Feb. 15, 1864, when his death severed the union, and she, too, passed away July 1, 1875, and thus ended the life of two worthy pioneers of Clark Co. Smith Wallace was born June 23, 1817, on the farm he now owns, on which his entire life, save five years, has been spent. His early life was spent in assisting his father to clear up the farm on which he cultivated crops. The log schoolhouse in which he procured most of his education was at a distance of only half a mile. His marriage was celebrated May 11, 1843, with Sarah Stevens, of Shelby Co., Ohio, where she was born, Aug. 4, 1822. The fruit of this union was nine children, of whom seven are now living. After the marriage, he settled on the home farm and continued to cultivate it until his younger brothers were of sufficient size to take charge under the father’s supervision, thence he settled near Springfield as a renter, and five years later returned to the home farm, which he purchased, and is now well situated, though he and family labored long and hard. On June 3, 1868, when a large, new brick house was just completed, her death severed the union. He married again on Dec. 10, 1874, for his second wife, Julia A. Copp, who was born in Logan Co., Ohio, January 4, 1838, and died in the faith of the Christian Church, Oct. 26, 1879, leaving husband and one child, a daughter, Gracie A. Mr. Wallace has been solicited to fill various offices of trust in county and township, but as yet never accepted. The family have been members of different Protestant churches, and no doubt much good has grown out of their labors.

As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.