12/05/2022
Thank you Ashland Area Rotary Club!
A little about the parade entry
and W.G. Wallace,
This truck is a tribute to Walter G Wallace (1844-1910) and his business in Ashland. Walter would be the beginning of six generations of various Wallace owned businesses in Ashland.
Walter came to Ashland from Wales in the 1860’s. He worked as a miner until he was injured in an mining accident in 1908. He then built a store in front of his home at 1431 Market Street selling confections and other groceries.
Walter was elected Borough Supervisor in 1910 but died before he would ever take office.
After his death, his wife Sarah would continue the business. Upon her death, the Raudenbush family would purchase the home and business from the estate. The Raudenbush’s would continue the business and eventually expand into the popular Raudenbush Bakery on 17th and Market Street.
Below is from an article about his death in the Washington Camp Newspaper 1910.
SUPERVISOR-ELECT WALTER WALLACE DIED BEFORE HE COULD TAKE HIS SEAT-Would Have Been Sworn Into Office Next Wednesday-HIS DEATH NOT EXPECTED
He passed away at the Family home on Market Street early this morning. His death being due to an old injury and other causes. The Funeral will be on Tuesday afternoon. Walter Wallace, who was elected supervisor of this town at the recent election on Tuesday, February 15 died at the family home on Market St, at 5:20 oclock this morning, before he had the opportunity to perform any of the functions of the office, as he had not yet been sworn in, but he would have been at the meeting of Council next Wednesday night had he lived that long.As injury that he sustained in the mines a year ago last October when he fell down a manway and injured his hip and the nerves of which have since lost their powers, coupled with diabetes with which he has been suffering for some little time, were the causes of his death. While it was known that Mr. Wallace was not in the best of health, still his death was not expected and came as a great surprise when the announcement was made this morning, and many friends hurried to the house to tender their sympathy and assistance. Mr. Wallace was 66 years of age the day he was elected to the office of supervisor, he having been born in Swindon England on February 15, 1844. He came to this country in 1861, and located at Big Mine Run, and a few years later he removed to Ashland, and has been a good citizen of this town ever since. He was a man of excellent character, quiet and unassuming in his manner, and he was always held in the highest respect and esteem by his friends. He was a skilled miner, and followed that class of labor all his life until he was incapacitated by the accident herein mentioned, and after which he opened a small store, which he conducted at the time of his death. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and took a great interest in his church.The deceased was twice married, his first wife having died about fourteen years ago. His second wife survives him, as does one son, William, and a daughter, Mrs. Frank Schmidt, of Germantown, (Conyngham) both by his first marriage. Two brothers, both living in England, also survive him.Mr. Wallace was one of the organizers of the American Hose Company, and a charter member of that organization, although he has not been a member of the company for some years. He was not affiliated with any of the other local organizations.The funeral will be held next Tuesday afternoon, with services at the family home at 2:30 oclock. Interment will be made in the Brock Cemetery.
Wallace Motors was the Best of Show in Ashland's Santa Parade at Old-Fashioned Christmas!
