JOSEPH WALLACE is eminent among the citizens of Springfield, not only as one of its most learned lawyers but is distinguished for the literary work that he has performed in connection with his profession and in other directions. He was born September 30, 1834, in Hunter's Bottom on the Ohio River, in what is now Carroll County, Ky. His parents, James and Mary Morris Wallace were likewise Kentuckians by birth, coming of the early pioneer families of the State, their parents being natives of Virginia. The Wallace's trace their origin to Scotland, and the first of the family to come to this country settled in Pennsylvania in the early part of the last century. The Morris's were early settlers of Virginia, and John Morris, the maternal grandfather of our subject was born in James City County, Va. James Wallace was a farmer by occupation, as was his father before him who was also engaged in the profession of the Baptist ministry.

When Joseph was two years of age his parents removed from his Kentucky birthplace to Jefferson County, Ind., of which they were pioneer settlers. There as soon as old enough he attended school in his boyhood days, and in 1852-53 he was a student at Franklin College. He afterward attended the college at South Hanover that has produced many men of eminence. Wishing to devote himself to the legal profession he read law in Madison with Judge Charles E. Walker. In September 1857 he came to Springfield, Ill., and entered the law office of Messrs. Stuart & Edward as a student. In the spring of 1858 he was admitted to the bar and has practiced in Springfield continuously since that time for a period of over thirty years.

Our subject made his home with William P. Grimsley deceased, an uncle by marriage, until he established a home of his own. On January 14, 1864, he was married to Mary E. Hoagland, a native also of Hunter's Bottom, Ky. The Hoagland family were originally from New Jersey. Mrs. Wallace possesses a fine mind and is a woman of more than ordinary culture. She was carefully educated at Science Hill Female Academy at Shelbyville, Ky., from which she was graduated with honors under the instruction of Mrs. Tevis, who had a high reputation as a teacher throughout Kentucky and the South.

Mr. Wallace, though devoted to his professional and literary work has served the public with credit in various important official capacities. In 1866 he was elected Police Magistrate, was re-elected to that responsible position in 1870, and held it for eight years, making one of the best officials who had ever presided over the deliberation of the Police Court. In 1879 he was elected a member of the City council for the third Ward, and served three years. During that time he acted as Chairman of the Committee on Ordinances. Such was his high reputation for legal learning that in July, 1882, he was appointed in connection with Hon. James W. Patton to prepare and submit to the City Council for its adoption or rejection an ordinance in the revision of the ordinances of the city of Springfield. The work performed by our subject and his colleague is highly creditable to the painstaking care and competency of its compilers. It was published in 1884 and is recognized as being a model of its kind. Robert I. Cummin in an address delivered on municipal government at Dayton, Ohio, at a meeting called by the Board of Trade, had this to say in reference to it:

"One city code deserves more than passing notice. After examining many statistics, State and municipal laws, city codes and charter governments of great and proud cities, I think it significant that in the small city of Springfield, Ill., where the Nation once found that embodiment of honesty and common sense, Abraham Lincoln, we should find today, as if the very ashes of the great Commoner had imparted wisdom to the people, a city code that will go far to solve the problem of municipal government."

Mr. Wallace has by no means confined himself to legal literature, but has written much else that will be of an enduring value. His writings are polished and elegant, his style is pleasing and he is noted for his accuracy. In 1870 he wrote and published a small biographical work, entitled "Sketch of the Life and Public Services of Col. Edward D. Baker," whish is finely gotten up and is a pleasing memorial of that gentleman; he also wrote and compiles a work entitled, "Memorials of Stephen T. Logan," which was published in 1884, for private circulation. In the year 1885 our subject published a series of sketches of the United States Senators of Illinois. These sketches were well written and were printed in the Illinois State Register and attracted much notice at the time. He has much in manuscript in preparation for publication including a learned and accurate history of the French discovery and occupation of Illinois and Louisiana. In his political views Mr. Wallace is a decided Democrat. Religiously he is a Baptist, and whether in public, professional or private life his acts are always guided by lofty principles.