Alexander S. Wallace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexander Stuart Wallace
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 4th district |
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| In office May 27, 1870 – March 3, 1877 |
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| Preceded by | James H. Goss |
| Succeeded by | John H. Evins |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from York District | |
| In office November 27, 1865 – August 5, 1866 |
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| In office November 22, 1858 – December 22, 1859 |
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| In office November 22, 1852 – December 19, 1855 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | December 30, 1810 York, South Carolina |
| Died | June 27, 1893 (aged 82) York, South Carolina |
| Resting place | York, South Carolina |
| Political party | Republican |
| Other political affiliations |
Unionist |
| Profession | farmer |
Alexander Stuart Wallace (born December 30, 1810 – died June 27, 1893) was an important politician from South Carolina. He served as a U.S. Representative, which means he helped make laws for the entire country.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Alexander Stuart Wallace was born near York, South Carolina. His father, McCasland Wallace, was born on a ship while his family was traveling from Scotland and Ireland to America.
Growing Up and Farming
Alexander didn't get much formal schooling. Instead, he spent his early life working as a farmer in his home county. This was a common way for people to make a living back then.
A Career in Politics
Alexander Wallace became involved in politics in South Carolina. He served in the state's House of Representatives several times.
Serving in the State House
He was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1852 to 1855. He also served from 1858 to 1859. During these times, he was known as a "Unionist." This meant he believed that the United States should stay together as one country.
During the Civil War
When South Carolina decided to leave the United States, Alexander Wallace stepped away from politics. He did not support the Southern states (the Confederacy) during the American Civil War. This was a brave choice, as his views were not popular in South Carolina at the time. After the war ended, he quickly joined the Republican Party.
Becoming a U.S. Representative
After the Civil War, Alexander Wallace ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives.
Winning an Election
In 1870, he successfully challenged the election results for the Forty-first Congress. This meant he won the seat that someone else had originally been declared the winner of.
Voting Rights After the War
After the war, South Carolina created a new Constitution in 1868. This new set of rules changed who could vote. Many people who had supported the Confederacy could not vote. However, newly freed African-Americans were given the right to vote. Also, northern military officers who stayed in South Carolina and white people who worked for the Freedmen's Bureau (an organization that helped former enslaved people) could vote. Most of these new voters strongly supported the Republican Party.
Serving Multiple Terms
Because of these changes, Alexander Wallace was reelected to Congress three more times. He served in the Forty-second, Forty-third, and Forty-fourth Congress. He was a U.S. Representative from May 27, 1870, until March 3, 1877.
Important Committee Work
During his time in Congress, he was the chairman of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. This committee dealt with claims related to the American Revolutionary War.
Later Life
In 1876, Alexander Wallace tried to get reelected to Congress but was not successful. After that, he went back to farming. He continued to work in agriculture near York, South Carolina, until he passed away on June 27, 1893. He was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in York.
