[p. 413] one
of the leading members of the Lawrence
County bar, and formerly judge of the
Fifty-first Judicial District of Pennsylvania,
was born in New Castle, May 15,
1857. His father, Dr. James J. Wallace,
who is now deceased, was for many years
a successful medical practitioner in
Lawrence County.
William D. Wallace completed his literary education at Westminster College, graduating therefrom in 1881. His college life was marked by brilliant scholarship and a keen taste for athletic sports, in which he excelled, which, with his genial nature and social disposition, made him a favorite, and to a large extent a leader, among his fellow students. Having decided upon the law as his future profession, he entered upon its study in the office of Dana & Long, at New Castle, and in a comparatively short time had obtained so firm a grasp upon its fundamental principles as to be admitted to practice in 1882. He soon showed himself possessed of all the capabilities of a good lawyer, and his practice rapidly increased until he had as much business as he could conveniently handle, and was looked upon as one of the most able members of the local bar.
Always alive to the interests of his profession as to those of the public generally, he threw himself heart and soul into the fight to have Lawrence County made a separate judicial district, and it was largely through his energetic championship of the measure that the Legislature passed the law to that effect. As a public recognition of his services in this direction, he was elected to the judgeship thus created, on November 6, 1894.
His career on the bench was all that could have been expected by his warmest friends. Here he could let the judicial temperament of which he is possessed in so large measure have full sway. His rulings were marked by a keen sense of justice and a full and accurate conception of the merits of a case, that rendered the rightful interests of every citizen safe in his hands. While inclined to sympathize with the poor and oppressed suitor, he was always fair and accurate in his review of a case, and impartial in his judgments. He easily and gracefully maintained the dignity of his office without stiffness or undue effort, and his equal courtesy toward the older and younger members of the bar made him esteemed and respected by all. After completing his tenure of office upon the bench, Judge Wallace resumed his private practice, which had been for the time interrupted, and he has since remained engaged in the successful practice of his profession, being at the present time one of the leaders of the bar of Lawrence County.
A Republican in politics, Judge Wallace has rendered able service to his party by his counsels, and especially by his ability as a speaker on political topics. He has at various times stumped the county on behalf of his party and its nominees, and his oratorical ability, and, still more, the convincing force of his arguments, have been powerful factors in swelling the number of Republican votes. His style as a speaker is clear and lucid. He never seeks to confuse the issues or to stun the ears and bewilder the minds of his hearers by a display of rhetorical fireworks, but rather endeavors to place the issues at stake clearly and strongly before them and to influence their judgment by a simple and direct appeal to their understanding. He thus makes converts for his party, not merely personal admirers, though his success is well calculated to excite the admiration even of political enemies.
Of personal enemies he has few, though perhaps no strong man like Judge Wallace was ever entirely without them. All such he meets without any display of personal hostility, yet without any compromise of principle or of dignity, and his firm yet reasonable attitude has not unfrequently converted an enemy into a warm friend and admirer.
In all essential respects Judge Wallace is a good representative of the best American type. Servility and arrogance are equally foreign to his nature. Though moving in the highest social circles, he feels it no loss of dignity to grasp the hand of the poor but honest toiler. An honest and manly man is at ease in his presence, feeling almost instinctively that he is being estimated for what he is, not for what he possesses, and this doubtless has much to do with Mr. Wallace's popularity.
Judge Wallace was married in 1885 to Miss Beatrice Matthews, and they have a beautiful residence at No. 57 East Wallace Avenue, New Castle. Mrs. Wallace is a lady of education and refinement, possessing a decided taste and talent for music. She is prominent in society circles, her popularity being enhanced by her beautiful voice, which she uses in so well trained a manner as to well merit the appellation of a "sweet singer." Judge Wallace's fine conversational powers render him also a social favorite; yet in spite of social triumphs he takes the greatest pride in the fact that in his life up to date he has well performed work well worth doing and that his efforts have resulted in benefit to his fellow citizens.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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