William Andrew WALLACE, Congress, PA (1827-1896)

WALLACE, William Andrew, a Senator from Pennsylvania; born in Huntingdon, Pa., November 28, 1827; moved with his parents to Clearfield, Pa., in 1836; attended the local schools; studied law; admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Clearfield; also taught school in Clearfield; member, State senate 1863-1875, and served as speaker 1871; member of the commission to suggest amendments to the constitution of Pennsylvania in 1874; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1881; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1880; Democratic Conference Chairman, 1877-1881; chairman, Committee on the Revision of the Laws of the United States (Forty-sixth Congress); resumed the practice of law in Clearfield; member, State senate 1882-1887; became interested in the development of the bituminous coal fields of the Clearfield region; also served as president of the Beech Creek Railroad; died in New York City, May 22, 1896; interment in Hillcrest Cemetery, Clearfield, Pa.

Bibliography

Wallace, William A. Pennsylvania’s Formative Influence on Federal Institutions. n.p., 1882.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present