Daniel Webster Wallace (1860 - 1939)

Born 15 Sep 1860 in Inez, Victoria, Texas, United States

Died 28 Mar 1939 at age 78 in Mitchell, Texas, United States

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Biography

Daniel Wallace is Notable.

Daniel Wallace was involved in the "Wild, Wild West," part of the westward expansion of the United States. Join the Wild Wild West Project.

Daniel "80 John" Webster Wallace was a former slave who became a millionaire cattle rancher.

Daniel Webster Wallace was born into slavery near Inez, in Victoria County, Texas on 15 Sep 1860 to parents William Wallace, born in Mississippi, and Mary Barbry or Barker born in Missouri,^[1][2][3] both enslaved. John was only three months old when his parents were sold to Josiah Dial O'Daniel in Flatonia, Fayette, Texas. Fortunately, John and Josiah's sons Dial O'Daniel and Milton O'Daniel became friends for life.

In his youth, Daniel did not like farm work, so in 1877 at the age of 17 he ran away to become a cowboy, joining a cattle drive. Later in life he drove cattle for C. C. Slaughter, Isaac L. Ellwood, Andrew B. Robertson, Sam Gholson, and C. A. "Gus" O'Keefe Bush and Tillar Cattle Company.

Daniel worked for a number of ranchers in east-central Texas, but it was through his work as a wrangler and horse breaker for John Nunn's N.U.N. cattle outfit on the headwaters of the Brazos River-- whose brand on his cattle was a large number 80—that "80 John" eventually became Wallace's nickname. While he was a typical cowboy in some respects, he was atypical in others. He saw a bigger future for himself than many of his peers who were contented to spend their lives following someone else's cattle. He realized that his lack of education was a handicap and around 1885, traveled to Navarro County, Texas where he went to school to learn to read and write. After two winters he accomplished his goal.

In his mid-twenties, "80 John" then went work cattle driving for Clay Mann close to Colorado City, Mitchell County, Texas. During the time he worked for Clay, he made an arrangement with his boss, Clay Mann, to accept cattle as part of his pay, taking only $5 each time for living. He later acquired a 1,280 acre ranch, a reputation for fairness and hard work, and a savvy that allowed him to survive in the ranching business.

1885, John bought about 1280 acres of land, moved is cattle to their new home and started his own ranch in Loraine Mitchell Co. Texas.^[4] His brand was D on right hip and a running W on the side.

Marriage & Children

On 8 April 1888 in Navarro, Texas, Daniel married Laura Dee Owens^[5], who by comparison was well educated.

The couple had four children:

• Mary (Wallace) Jackson (1889–1957)
• Carson William Wallace (1890–1946)
• Eula E Wallace (1893-?)
• Hettie (Wallace) Branch (1895–1992)

1895 Texas County Tax Roll - Mitchell Co. Texas. Abstract#948, Survey#60, Original Guarantee: Texas and Pacific, 200 acres value $400. Machinery, Tools, Equipment $20 Total Tax = 1956

1896 Texas County Tax Roll - Mitchell Co. Texas. Abstract#396, Survey#33, Original Guarantee: JR Harrew , 426 acres value $850.

"80 John" (Daniel) and his wife Laura lived out their lives in Mitchell, Texas.^[1] His occupation is listed as a stock farmer.

• John W Wallace Head Male 40 Texas
• Laura D Wallace Wife Female 30 Texas
• Mary M Wallace Daughter Female 11 Texas
• Carson W Wallace Son Male 10 Texas
• Eula E Wallace Daughter Female 7 Texas
• Hattie ? Wallace Daughter Female 5 Texas

1910 John "Daniel" lived in Loraine, Mitchell Co. Texas on Loraine Road Route N with his wife Laura and 3 of their children. His occupation was listed a s tock farmer owning is own land^[2]

• Daniel W Wallace age 49
• Laura D Wallace age 39
• Carson Wallace age 19
• Eula Wallace age 17
• Hettie Wallace age 14

1920 He was living at the same resident as 1910. His wife Laura and two of their children.^[3]

• Daniel W Wallace age 59
• Laura D Wallace age 49
• Carson Wallace age 29
• Hettie Wallace age 24

Daniel became well respected rancher of his time, belonging to the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers' Association for thirty years.

Death and Legacy

Daniel Webster "80 John" Wallace died on 28 March 1939^[6], and was buried on his ranch in Mitchell County, Texas. He left behind a wife, three daughters, and a son; a well earned respect from all who knew him; and an estate valued at more than $1 million. He also received the recognition of Mitchell County and the state of Texas with an historical marker in Loraine recognizing his achievements, and in the mid 1950's, a school in Colorado City named in his honor^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-673Y-LS?cc=1325221&wc=9BW9-4W5%3A1030553601%2C1033721701%2C1035217802 : sourced 5 August 2014), Texas > Mitchell > ED 115 Justice Precinct 1 > image 33 of 41; citing NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M23Q-53D : accessed 24 June 2021), Daniel W Wallace, Justice Precinct 1, Mitchell, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 166, sheet 8B, family 128, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1578; FHL microfilm 1,375,591.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Year: 1920; Census Place: Justice Precinct 4, Mitchell, Texas; Roll: T625_1834; Page: 17A; Enumeration District: 158 - https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6061/images/4391485_00666?pId=43527120
4. ↑ "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939J-4BGG-T?cc=1827575&wc=M63F-9Z3%3A161713301%2C161391202 : 22 May 2014), Mitchell county > 1886 > image 73 of 89; State Archives, Austin.
5. ↑ Texas Marriages, 1837-1973 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6B8-2QY : sourced 22 January 2020) Laura Owens in entry for J. W. Wallace, 1888
6. ↑ Texas Deaths 1890-1976 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3MC-553 : sourced 13 March 2018) Daniel Webster Wallace, died 28 Mar 1939; certificate number 14700, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,118,014;
7. ↑ Find A Grave - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46734331/daniel-webster-wallace

• "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXG6-TBQ : sourced 12 April 2016), Daniel Wallace in household of Jessey W Wallace, Texas, United States; citing p. 53, family 418, NARA microfilm publication M593; FHL microfilm 553,106.
• "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M23Q-53D : accessed 2 October 2018), Daniel W Wallace, Justice Precinct 1, Mitchell, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 166, sheet 8B, family 128, NARA microfilm publication T624, roll 1578; FHL microfilm 1,375,591.
• "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCMN-LQ3 : accessed 2 October 2018), Daniel W Wallace, Justice Precinct 4, Mitchell, Texas, United States; citing ED 158, sheet 17A, line 7, family 300, NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 1834; FHL microfilm 1,821,834.
• Texas Historical Association - https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/wallace-daniel-webster
• True West Magazine - https://truewestmagazine.com/slavery-cattle-king/
• Daniel Webster Elementary - https://www.dallasisd.org/webster