William A. Wallace

William Andrew Wallace ( born November 28, 1827 in Huntingdon Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, † May 22, 1896 in New York City ) was an American politician (Democratic Party), who represented the state of Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate.

1836 drew the young William Wallace with his parents to Clearfield, where he attended the local schools. Later he studied law, was admitted to the bar and began to practice as a lawyer in Clearfield. In this city he has also worked as a teacher.

His political career began with the membership of the Senate of Pennsylvania, where he served from 1863 to 1875; while he served in 1871 as its Speaker. In 1874, he participated in a commission to draw up proposals for the extension of the Constitution of Pennsylvania. In the same year he was elected to the U.S. Senate in Washington DC chosen, where he held his office from March 4, 1875. After he was defeated in the attempt to re-elect the Republican candidate John I. Mitchell, he had the Senate on March 3, 1881 to leave. During this time, he had, among other acts from 1877 to 1881 as a Democratic Conference Chairman; this office was the precursor of today's Floor Leader.

After his time in Washington Wallace resumed his legal activity in Clearfield. From 1882 to 1887, he sat once more in the state Senate. Moreover, he was active in the coal mining industry and took over the presidency of the railroad company Beech Creek Railroad. He died during a business trip to New York and was buried in his hometown of Clearfield.