Born in the old time whaling port of New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, Wallace was the youngest of four children of James & Annie Ada (Owen) Downhill. Vol. 622, page 404; mother's name incorrectly spelled as Owens should read Owen. His middle name, James, is from his father and grandfather Downhill. Unknown where Wallace came from.
Having lost his father at the age of six, childhood was short lived and he often talked of the paper routes to earn money during the 1920's after his father died. Times were hard for this fatherless family and he did not want to quit school and go to work. Early on he knew that education was the key to a better life, a lesson he most likely learned from his grand father, James Owen, a Pharmacist. He graduated from New Bedford High School probably in 1934. Sometime after graduation he moved to Springfield, and began work with his brother Owen at the Springfield S.P.C.A. The flood of 1936 swept through the Pioneer valley and caused many of the animals at the S.P.C.A. to be in peril. Wallace realized he wanted to do more with animals.
While riding his bicycle one day he encountered his future bride, Ada, who was walking with her sister Peggy. Her sister Peggy relates how Ada remarked how cute she thought he was... well, his pre-med school studies at American International College kept him busy so marriage was postponed. After graduation from A.I.C., he married, 25 June 1938, Ada Jennie Elmer, formerly of Greenfield, now residing and working in Springfield. His new bride moved to Philadelphia, PA and secured an apartment for them to live in while attending veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania. His brother-in-law, Otis Canedy, enjoyed telling the story of the move he and Wallace made using their father-in-law's truck across the bridge in New York City. The truck was piled high with furniture and personal belongings and the officer that pulled them over told them that they could not drive a truck piled so high over the bridge. With some smooth talking and explaining that Wallace was on his way to university the officer let them proceed on - which they did with caution!
He attended classes, she worked at Horn & Hardart Co., an automat food cafeteria, "they" graduated in 1943 after Wallace obtained his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He was now a Veterinary Medical Doctor. (V. M. D. Versus D. V. M.) versus Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.
Upon completion of his schooling the couple moved to Northampton and set up The Animal Aid Hospital veterinary practice. They continued that work for 33 years, from 1943 to retirement in 1977. Upon retirement the couple moved to California for a short time and then resided in Florida and on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Wallace and Ada had two children.
Having lost his father at the age of six, childhood was short lived and he often talked of the paper routes to earn money during the 1920's after his father died. Times were hard for this fatherless family and he did not want to quit school and go to work. Early on he knew that education was the key to a better life, a lesson he most likely learned from his grand father, James Owen, a Pharmacist. He graduated from New Bedford High School probably in 1934. Sometime after graduation he moved to Springfield, and began work with his brother Owen at the Springfield S.P.C.A. The flood of 1936 swept through the Pioneer valley and caused many of the animals at the S.P.C.A. to be in peril. Wallace realized he wanted to do more with animals.
While riding his bicycle one day he encountered his future bride, Ada, who was walking with her sister Peggy. Her sister Peggy relates how Ada remarked how cute she thought he was... well, his pre-med school studies at American International College kept him busy so marriage was postponed. After graduation from A.I.C., he married, 25 June 1938, Ada Jennie Elmer, formerly of Greenfield, now residing and working in Springfield. His new bride moved to Philadelphia, PA and secured an apartment for them to live in while attending veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania. His brother-in-law, Otis Canedy, enjoyed telling the story of the move he and Wallace made using their father-in-law's truck across the bridge in New York City. The truck was piled high with furniture and personal belongings and the officer that pulled them over told them that they could not drive a truck piled so high over the bridge. With some smooth talking and explaining that Wallace was on his way to university the officer let them proceed on - which they did with caution!
He attended classes, she worked at Horn & Hardart Co., an automat food cafeteria, "they" graduated in 1943 after Wallace obtained his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He was now a Veterinary Medical Doctor. (V. M. D. Versus D. V. M.) versus Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.
Upon completion of his schooling the couple moved to Northampton and set up The Animal Aid Hospital veterinary practice. They continued that work for 33 years, from 1943 to retirement in 1977. Upon retirement the couple moved to California for a short time and then resided in Florida and on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Wallace and Ada had two children.
Born in the old time whaling port of New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, Wallace was the youngest of four children of James & Annie Ada (Owen) Downhill. Vol. 622, page 404; mother's name incorrectly spelled as Owens should read Owen. His middle name, James, is from his father and grandfather Downhill. Unknown where Wallace came from.
Having lost his father at the age of six, childhood was short lived and he often talked of the paper routes to earn money during the 1920's after his father died. Times were hard for this fatherless family and he did not want to quit school and go to work. Early on he knew that education was the key to a better life, a lesson he most likely learned from his grand father, James Owen, a Pharmacist. He graduated from New Bedford High School probably in 1934. Sometime after graduation he moved to Springfield, and began work with his brother Owen at the Springfield S.P.C.A. The flood of 1936 swept through the Pioneer valley and caused many of the animals at the S.P.C.A. to be in peril. Wallace realized he wanted to do more with animals.
While riding his bicycle one day he encountered his future bride, Ada, who was walking with her sister Peggy. Her sister Peggy relates how Ada remarked how cute she thought he was... well, his pre-med school studies at American International College kept him busy so marriage was postponed. After graduation from A.I.C., he married, 25 June 1938, Ada Jennie Elmer, formerly of Greenfield, now residing and working in Springfield. His new bride moved to Philadelphia, PA and secured an apartment for them to live in while attending veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania. His brother-in-law, Otis Canedy, enjoyed telling the story of the move he and Wallace made using their father-in-law's truck across the bridge in New York City. The truck was piled high with furniture and personal belongings and the officer that pulled them over told them that they could not drive a truck piled so high over the bridge. With some smooth talking and explaining that Wallace was on his way to university the officer let them proceed on - which they did with caution!
He attended classes, she worked at Horn & Hardart Co., an automat food cafeteria, "they" graduated in 1943 after Wallace obtained his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He was now a Veterinary Medical Doctor. (V. M. D. Versus D. V. M.) versus Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.
Upon completion of his schooling the couple moved to Northampton and set up The Animal Aid Hospital veterinary practice. They continued that work for 33 years, from 1943 to retirement in 1977. Upon retirement the couple moved to California for a short time and then resided in Florida and on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Wallace and Ada had two children.
Having lost his father at the age of six, childhood was short lived and he often talked of the paper routes to earn money during the 1920's after his father died. Times were hard for this fatherless family and he did not want to quit school and go to work. Early on he knew that education was the key to a better life, a lesson he most likely learned from his grand father, James Owen, a Pharmacist. He graduated from New Bedford High School probably in 1934. Sometime after graduation he moved to Springfield, and began work with his brother Owen at the Springfield S.P.C.A. The flood of 1936 swept through the Pioneer valley and caused many of the animals at the S.P.C.A. to be in peril. Wallace realized he wanted to do more with animals.
While riding his bicycle one day he encountered his future bride, Ada, who was walking with her sister Peggy. Her sister Peggy relates how Ada remarked how cute she thought he was... well, his pre-med school studies at American International College kept him busy so marriage was postponed. After graduation from A.I.C., he married, 25 June 1938, Ada Jennie Elmer, formerly of Greenfield, now residing and working in Springfield. His new bride moved to Philadelphia, PA and secured an apartment for them to live in while attending veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania. His brother-in-law, Otis Canedy, enjoyed telling the story of the move he and Wallace made using their father-in-law's truck across the bridge in New York City. The truck was piled high with furniture and personal belongings and the officer that pulled them over told them that they could not drive a truck piled so high over the bridge. With some smooth talking and explaining that Wallace was on his way to university the officer let them proceed on - which they did with caution!
He attended classes, she worked at Horn & Hardart Co., an automat food cafeteria, "they" graduated in 1943 after Wallace obtained his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He was now a Veterinary Medical Doctor. (V. M. D. Versus D. V. M.) versus Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.
Upon completion of his schooling the couple moved to Northampton and set up The Animal Aid Hospital veterinary practice. They continued that work for 33 years, from 1943 to retirement in 1977. Upon retirement the couple moved to California for a short time and then resided in Florida and on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Wallace and Ada had two children.
Inscription
Wallace James Downhill
Beloved Husband of
Ada Jennie Elmer
Nov. 12, 1914 - Oct. 29, 1997
Gravesite Details
Please see caption of family plot by clicking on picture.
