JOHN I. WALLACE, of Pittsburg, Pa., for many years a highly successful farmer of Allegheny county, but now retired from active life, was born in Baldwin township, Allegheny Co., Pa., Jan 8, 1845, his birthplace, being the old family homestead of his grandfather and now owned by the subject of this review. His paternal grandparents were Samuel and Mary (Barton) Wallace, natives of County Antrim. Ireland, and of the same general family as Sir William Wallace, the Scottish hero. James Wallace, their son and the father of John I. Wallace, was born on the old homestead in Baldwintownship, Jan. 1, 1806, and spent his entire life on the far where he first saw the light of day, enjoying excellent health and a halcyon existence until his death, Sept. 14, 1894, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. James Wallace was married don Sept. 14, 1838, to Jane, daughter of John Irwin, one of the early settlers of the state, who had many thrilling experiences with the Indians while blazing the way for civilization, on two occasions being compelled to abandon his settlement and retreat to the sheltering walls of the towns of the coast regions. Jane (Irwin) Wallace was born Aug. 29, 1810, and lived to be almost eighty eight years of age, her death occurring on April 19, 1898. She was the mother of three children, viz.; Samuel, John I. and Elizabeth. John I. Wallace devoted his entire business career to conducting the farm on which he was born, and by dint of energy and faithful adherence to duty, succeeded in increasing the old homestead by a considerable number of acres, and amply demonstrated that he was a thorough and conservative business man. Early in life he formed those fine habits and traits which composed his splendid character and which made him honored and esteemed by all with whom he came in contact. The operation of the golden rule was manifested in his early life, while the beatitudes of the sermon on the mount were constantly exemplified by his dealings with his fellow-men, and his whole life has indeed been a beautiful one. Mr. Wallace continued to live on his farm until a few years ago, when he removed to Pittburg, and has since resided in the city. His chief object in making this change was to give his children the advantages of the superior school facilities for which the metropolis of western Pennsylvania is justly famous. He was married, Oct. 5, 1869, to Jane Mary Rath, a most excellent woman, who was born on Sept. 11, 1852 and after a happy married life of above twenty-seven years, died on Jan. 27, 1897, leaving the following children, viz; James Harvey, Lillie Bell, Melvin E., John Duff, Rachel Agnes and Ethel Marie. Mr. Wallace is now living quietly at his city residence and is reaping the benefits and rewards that come to those who live correct and worthy lives, and who do their full duty to themselves and their fellow-men.

Memoirs of Allegheny County
Page 426 & 427