William H. Wallace was born in the frontier state of Ohio in 1811, studied law in the new state of Indiana, moved to Iowa Territory in 1835, and finally to Washington Territory in 1853. He spent his whole life, with the exception of his two terms in Congress, on the frontier. In 1853, Wallace was elected to the first session of the Washington Territorial Legislature. In 1854 he ran for the position of territorial delegate to Congress, but was defeated by Columbia Lancaster. Wallace continued to serve in the legislature and became president of the legislative council, the equivalent of the state senate. During the 1855-1856 Indian War he distinguished himself as captain of a company of volunteers. In 1861 Abraham Lincoln appointed Wallace governor of Washington Territory. Wallace was the first resident to be appointed to the governorship, and the first Republican. Almost immediately after his appointment, Wallace was finally elected territorial delegate to congress, and consequently did not serve as governor. Instead, the duties of his administration were carried out by the territorial secretary, L.J.S. Turney, until the appointment of Governor Pickering.
Wallace was later appointed to the governorship of Idaho Territory in 1863, but again he was elected to Congress and declined to serve as governor. Following his second term in Congress, Wallace returned to his home in Steilacoom where he was elected Probate Judge of Pierce County. He served as a judge until his death in 1879.
From the description of Territorial Governor William H. Wallace Papers, 1861. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70976356
