Frances Jane (Todd) Wallace (1817 - 1899)

Born 7 Mar 1817 in Lexington, Fayette, Kentucky, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 14 Aug 1899 at age 82 in Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois, United States

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Biography

While born in Kentucky, she lived most of her life in Illinois.

Birth: Mar. 7, 1815 Lexington Fayette County Kentucky, USA Death: Aug. 14, 1899 Springfield Sangamon County Illinois, USA

Frances was the sister of Mary Todd Lincoln and the wife of Dr. William Wallace.

Died, at her home, 1013 South Second street, Monday, August 14, 1899, Mrs. Frances J. Wallace, aged 82 years. The funeral services will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Pro-Cathedral this afternoon.

Sixty-three years of continuous residence in Springfield spans the entire history of the city as the capital of Illinois, and only a few pioneer residents are now living who can recall the historic incidents that fell within the experience of Mrs. Wallace, who came here in the early days when, as a frontier village, Springfield attained its first prominence upon the map through the act of the legislature, which made it the seat of the state government.

Frances Jane Todd, a daughter of Robert S. and Elizabeth Parker Todd, was born at Lexington, Ky., March 7, 1819. The Todd family was of ancient and honorable lineage and the name is prominent in American history. On the maternal side Mrs. Wallace was descended from Gen. Andrew Porter, of revolutionary fame, and she was well worthy of such a descendent. About 1836 she came to Springfield to visit her sister, Mrs. Ninian Edwards, and here she met a young physician from Pennsylvania, Dr. William S. Wallace. Their acquaintance ripened into an attachment which resulted in their marriage on May 21, 1830. The marriage was solemnized by the Rev. Charles W. Dresser, rector of St. Paul's parish, at the home of Mrs. Edwards.

At first the young couple boarded at the old St. Charles hotel, and of this period of her married life and the social pleasures of that early day Mrs. Wallace was accustomed to speak with enthusiasm and to recall many interesting incidents. Dr. and Mrs. Wallace lived successively at a home on South Sixth street about where the Dresser flats are now situated and at the corner of Seventh street and Capitol avenue. Dr. Wallace died in 1867. About twenty years ago his widow removed to her late home, 1013 South Second street, where she has lived a quiet and retired life ever since.

Mrs. Wallace was followed to Illinois by her younger sisters, Mary, who was married to Abraham Lincoln, and Ann, who became the wife of C. M. Smith, the leading merchant of the city. The four sisters continued to reside in Springfield during their lives and all became acknowledged leaders in the social life of the city, which even in pioneer days was distinguished by the association of some of the most brilliant men and women of the age.

Mrs. Wallace long outlived all of her sisters and most of her intimate associates, but not even the weight of years, with the bodily infirmities incident to age, could dim the brightness of her active mind or break the indomitable spirit that animated her.

She was essentially self-reliant and strong, but kindness and love ruled her life. She was never so happy as when doing some good for others. The precept that it is more blessed to give than to receive was exemplified in her daily life. Her quiet home was a central place for the entire neighborhood, and young and old alike loved to seek her society. The delight she felt in the companionship of her neighbors was reciprocated to the fullest degree. Her reminiscences of people and events of the old times were of a most interesting character, and her memory to the last was remarkable in their fidelity to details as well as the force and vividness of the impressions conveyed. As her life drew toward its close the true beauty and strength of her Christian character became more apparent. She was one of those who had thoroughly learned the art of growing old gracefully and the sunset of her life may be truly called a golden one, in which the last rays, softened in the haze of evening, cast a glory backward over the darkening way as to leave a promise of the greater glory yet to come.

Mrs. Wallace is survived by one daughter, Mrs. John P. Baker, of St. Louis, and two sons, Edward D. Wallace, of St. Louis, and William F. Wallace of this city. She leaves eight grand-children and four great-grandchildren. Of her other relatives in this city, the nearest are her granddaughter, Mrs. Walter L. Patteson, and her nephews, Allen H. and Edwin Smith. She also leave two half-sisters, Mrs. Emilie Helm, of Elizabethtown, Ky., and Mrs. Margaret Kellogg, of Cincinnati, O. IL State Register, Springfield, IL 8-15-1899

Family links: Parents: Robert Smith Todd (1791 - 1849) Eliza Ann Parker Todd (1794 - 1825)

Spouse: William S. Wallace (1802 - 1867)

Children: Charles Edward Wallace (____ - 1874)* Frances Wallace (____ - 1881)* Mary J. Wallace Baker (1842 - 1911)* William Fonday Wallace (1845 - 1923)*

Siblings: Elizabeth P. Todd Edwards (1813 - 1888)* Robert Smith Todd (1814 - 1814)* Frances Jane Todd Wallace (1815 - 1899) Levi Oldham Todd (1816 - 1864)* Mary Ann Todd Lincoln (1818 - 1882)* Ann Maria Todd Smith (1820 - 1891)* Robert Parker Todd (1821 - 1822)* George Rogers Clark Todd (1825 - 1900)* Robert Humphrey Todd (1827 - 1827)** Martha Todd White (1833 - 1868)** Emilie Todd Helm (1836 - 1930)** Alexander H. Todd (1839 - 1862)** Elodie Breck Todd Dawson (1840 - 1877)** Kittie Todd Herr (1841 - 1875)**

• Calculated relationship
  • Half-sibling

Burial: Oak Ridge Cemetery ^[1] Springfield Sangamon County Illinois, USA Plot: Block 10, 35

Sources

1. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #25351099

• FamilySearch: "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M859-293 : 19 December 2020), Frances J Wallace in household of William S Wallace, Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXHL-3ZG : 30 December 2015), Frances Wallace in entry for William S Wallace, 1860.
• FamilySearch: "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6WJ-NVT : 28 May 2021), Frances Wallace, 1870.
• FamilySearch: "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXKN-FH1 : 13 January 2022), Francis J. Wallace, Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .
• https://www.geni.com/people/Frances-Wallace/6000000009128613373
• MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Nov 13 2017, 21:17:34 UTC