ROBERT BRUCE WALLACE,
ofPittsburg, one of the foremost opticians of Allegheny County, was born April 19, 1867, in Philadelphia, a son of
Henry Wallace. Of Scotch origin, he descends from a family that fled from
Scotland to the north of
Ireland to
escape religious persecution. There John Wallace, the paternal grandfather of
Robert B., was born, bred, and lived to a good old age, having been a
farmer.
Henry Wallace
was born in Ireland, where his early years were
passed. In 1847 he emigrated to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, and until the time of his death,
September 6, 1885, was a loyal citizen to his adopted country. He married
Elizabeth Stevenson, who was born in County Derry, Ireland, where her father, John
Stevenson, the representative of a thrifty Scotch family, was for many years
engaged in the book trade. Having outlived her husband, she died October 10,
1887. Of their eleven children five are living, namely: Mary E., of Pittsburg; James, a physician in Philadelphia; William J. and Harry, merchants in Colorado; and Robert
Bruce, the subject of this sketch. Robert Bruce Wallace was reared and educated
in his native city, and there acquired his knowledge of optical instruments
under the instruction of Ivan Fox, of the Fox Optical Company, with which he was
connected seven years. In 1887 Mr. Wallace came to Pittsburg as an optician,
working for a company which in 1890 he bought out, and at once organized the
Wallace Optical Company. He has since built up an extensive business, which is
constantly increasing, making a specialty of fitting lenses, in which his
success is not surpassed by any optician in the State. Progressive in his
methods and equipments, he keeps well abreast of the times in every detail
pertaining to the use and manufacture of optical instruments or goods. Mr.
Wallace is- a man of culture, suave and social in manner, and is held in high
regard for his many excellent qualities. In politics he is a sound
Republican.
FRANK
C. WHITESELL
, of the firm Whitesell & Sons, a long-established and
prominent law firm ofPittsburg, was born August 14, 1852, in Allegheny City, this county, son of the late Jacob
Whitesell. He comes of an old and prominent family of the county. His paternal
grandfather, George Whitesell, who acquired the title of General in the War of
1812, was a direct descendant of Admiral Wertz, of Germany. General
Whitesell was well known throughout this section of Pennsylvania as a benevolent man, yet of a
resolute character, straightforward and upright in all of his dealings. He was
very successful and able in financial matters, having been engaged as a
capitalist for many years. The General was an active member of the Cross Roads
Presbyterian Church, in which he served as an Elder. He lived to the advanced
age of ninety-five years.
Jacob Whitesell was one of a large family
of children born to his parents. He was reared and spent his entire life in
Allegheny
County . After his admission
to the bar he was engaged in a general law practice in
Pittsburg for twoscore or more years, acquiring
a wide reputation as a lawyer of skill.
His death, which occurred at his home in Sewickley,
February 2, 1884, was a loss to the legal profession. He took an active part in
politics, having been a leading member of the Democratic party. He was also an
Odd Fellow. In the American Protestant Association he took a foremost position,
having been Grand Master of the organization. He was deeply religious, belonging
to the Presbyterian church of Sewickley, of which his widow is still a member.
He married Margaret Neill, a daughter of Thomas Neill, who was born and bred in
Belfast, Ireland. Emigrating to the
United
States in 1828, Thomas
Neill settled at first in Paterson, N.J., where he was engaged in mercantile
pursuits for several years. In 1835 he came to Pittsburg, of which he remained a resident
until his death, at the venerable age of ninety-five years. He was made a Mason
in Belfast in 1825, three years before coming to
this country, and was afterward connected by membership with Lodge No. 45, of
Pittsburg. The
children of the parental household now living are as follows: Frank C, the subject of this sketch;
William W., an attorney; George C., who is the general agent of the accident
department of the Etna Life Insurance Company, a member of the Board of
Fire Underwriters, and carries on a general insurance business; Anna and Amelia;
and Dr. Hallie W. Whitesell, who graduated at the Western Pennsylvania Medical
College on March 25, 1897, and on July 23 of the same
year passed the examination of the State Board Medical Society of
Pennsylvania.
Frank C. Whitesell received his elementary education in
the public schools of Allegheny, where he resided until 1860, going at that time
with his parents to Sewickley. Continuing his studies in the public schools of
that place for a time, he was fitted for the Sewickley Academy, from which he was graduated in
1872. He began the study of law in his father's office, and on November 18,
1876, was admitted to the bar. Since that time he has had an extensive and
successful practice, belonging to the firm above mentioned. He still continues
his residence at Sewickley, living with his widowed mother and her family. He
was formerly a member of the Fourteenth Regiment, N. G. P., serving on the
staff, and holding the rank of Captain. In politics Mr. Whitesell has always
been a Democrat, belonging now to the party supporting the gold standard. He is
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of the American Mechanics'
Association; of Ionic Lodge, No. 525, F. & A. M., of Allegheny; of Royal
Arch Chapter, No. 217, of the same city; of the Allegheny Commandery, No. 35, K.
T.; and of Allegheny Lodge, B. O. P. Elks, No. 339, Allegheny. In 1883 Mr.
Whitesell represented Allegheny Commandery in the grand Triennial Conclave,
Knights Templar, held in San Francisco in the month of August. His brothers, William
and George C, are also prominent in Masonic circles, being members of Ionic
Lodge and Allegheny Chapter and of Pittsburg Commandery, No. 1, Pittsburg, Pa.
Mr. Whitesell was married August 2, 1892, to Miss Lillian
B. Reed, daughter of William A. and Elizabeth F. (Fleming) Reed, the nuptials
being solemnized in Allegheny, at the residence of Mrs. Andrew Easton, a sister
of the bride. The practical, systematic, and energetic side of Mr. Whitesell's
character was shown on this auspicious occasion, when, according to data
furnished, he worked on the day of his wedding until three o'clock p.m., was married at four o'clock, with
the bride partook of the wedding dinner at five, said farewell to their friends
at six, took the cars at seven, reached New York at nine next morning, were on
board the steamer "City of Paris" at ten o'clock on the following morning,
sailed at eleven, arrived at Queenstown the next Monday morning, were at
Liverpool next morning at eleven, took the midland route at noon for London,
arriving there at six o'clock Tuesday evening, and were guests at the Metropole
Hotel, London, at seven o'clock, one week from the time of starting. After this
they took a most enjoyable trip through the British Isles, Germany, and France, visiting
the more important points of interest in each, and after an absence of two
months were warmly welcomed home by their numerous friends and well-wishers. Mr.
and Mrs. Whitesell are the parents of two children: a bright and active little
lad named Frank; and an infant that was taken from earth "when life and love
were new." Both Mr. and Mrs. Whitesell are members of the Sewickley Presbyterian
Church. In literary, social, and musical circles the Whitesell family are well
known, all being talented and musically
inclined.
