Online Source: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/bibb/bios/gbs134wallace.txt
Extracted from ``Memorial Record of Alabama'', Vol. I, p. 497-498
THADDEUS C. WALLACE, of Blocton, is a native of Bibb county, Ala., and was
born August 29, 1843. He is a son of Pulaski and Durana (Pratt) Wallace and a
grandson of John Wallace, who was a native of Maryland, who emigrated thence to
Davidson county, Tenn., in pioneer days, removed thence to Centreville, Ala., in
1818; here opened a store and also engaged in farming and teaching. He raised a
large family of children and both he and wife died in Bibb county.
The father of
Thaddeus was born in Centreville in 1820. He received his first lessons in
reading by the bright light of a pine knot, and was for the most part his own
teacher. He became a politician of note, serving as justice of the peace some
twenty years in beat No. 28. He is a plain, unassuming farmer and enjoys the
respect and esteem of his fellow-men. He is a Mason and both he and wife have
been members of the Presbyterian church for the past twenty-five years. He was
married in 1842 to Durana Pratt, who was born in Bibb county, Ala., in 1823. By
her he has had four sons and one daughter: Thaddeus C., Eugenia, wife of W. H.
Logan, an attorney of River Bend; Julius M., Leonidas T. and Matthew P. The
parents of these children now reside on the farm near Blocton, Ala.
Thaddeus C.
Wallace was reared on a farm and was educated principally at Six Mile academy in
Beat No. 6. In 1861 he enlisted in company D, Twentieth Alabama infantry, under
Captain R. H. Pratt, served as orderly sergeant about six months, when he was
taken sick and returned home. A short time afterward he enlisted in company H,
Twenty-fifth Alabama infantry, and served twelve months, but he was again taken
sick and discharged. After a short time he again offered his services but was
refused by the surgeon on account of his poor health, but being full of ambition
to serve the Confederate cause, he persuaded the enrollment officers to receive
him into the army, and he served until he was taken prisoner at the battle of
Nashville, Tenn., and taken to Camp Douglas at Chicago, Ill., where he was kept
six months, being among the last of a large number of Confederate soldiers to
take the oath of allegiance to the government of the United States. From his
blanket which he had in camp he made a coat to wear home, and still retains it.
Upon reaching home he managed his father's farm on shares until June 8, 1867,
when he married Margaret Lightsey, also a native of Bibb county, who was born
February 19, 1845. She is a daughter of Jacob and Johanna (Snead) Lightsey, the
former of whom was a native of Barnwell district, S. C., born in 1810, the
latter being born in North Carolina in 1812. They were married in 1835 and
became the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, four of whom
are living, viz.: Elmira, wife of D. L. Crews, a farmer of Bibb county; Margaret
J., wife of Thaddeus Wallace; Isabel, unmarried, a school teacher living with
Mr. T. Wallace; and Jacob. Those deceased were named Henley D., Daniel E., John
D., Hazeltine, Wilson and Mary. Before the war the father of these children was
a wealthy planter. He died in 1858 and his widow in 1861. They were both members
of the Baptist church.
Mr. Wallace and wife are the parents of ten children,
three sons and seven daughters, as follows: William, born December 10, 1867;
Hattie E., born November 30, 1869; Myrtle B., born January 21, 1872; Margaret
L., April 17. 1874; Rosa D., born October 27, 1876; Alden M., born March 11,
1879; Mary N., born August 12, 1881; Johanna S. born February 24, 1884; Olivia
L., born July 3, 1886, and Frank C., born November 9, 1889. These children are
all living.
Mr. Wallace has served as tax assessor two terms in Bibb county, and
as justice of the peace four years at Blocton, during which time he disposed of
over three thousand cases. He has taught school eight years at Blocton. In 1880
he assisted in taking the census of Bibb county. He and wife are members of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church, he being clerk and secretary of same. He is
recognized as one of the leading citizens of his community and holds the respect
of all good citizens.
by Brant & Fuller (1893)