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THE name of "Wallace" is historic, and brings a glow to
every Scottish heart; and many, bearing that name, both in the British
Empire and America, have been prominent and influential citizens.
Andrew Brabner Wallace, of Springfield, Massachusetts,
is one of the leading business men of New England. He is a native of
Fifeshire, Scotland, born at Newburgh-on-Tay, March 27, 1842, the son of
David and Christine (Brabner) Wallace. He was educated in the schools of
his native town, and served a four years’ apprenticeship in the dry goods
business, previous to his coming to this country in 1867. For three years
he was connected with Hogg, Brown & Taylor, Boston, and then went to
Pittsfield, Mass., and in partnership with J. M. Smith opened a dry goods
store in that city, where his efficiency as a merchant soon became
apparent. In 1874, he moved to Springfield, and established the well-known
firm of Forbes & Wallace, with Alexander B. Forbes as partner. This store
gained a great popularity, and since 1896, when Mr. Forbes retired, Mr.
Wallace has been sole proprietor. Under his management the store has grown
to be one of the largest and most widely known department stores in New
England, outside of Boston, and Mr. Wallace is recognized as a most
progressive and successful merchant. The success and energy with which he
followed the ideal of providing for the people of Springfield and its
surrounding territory the best place to trade, is evidenced by the
remarkable growth of the business, which, beginning with a small local
trade, now reaches out into every part of western New England. The firm
has foreign offices in Paris, Manchester, St. Gall and Chemnitz. From the
original quarters in a single store in the block in which it started, it
has expanded until it now occupies the greater part of an entire city
block. Its employees, numbering fifty at first, have increased to nearly a thousand.
The determination to deserve the
confidence of the public is emphasized by one of the cardinal principles
of the firm—the offer to take back any goods that do not prove
satisfactory.
In addition to his store in
Springfield, Mr. Wallace is connected with numerous business enterprises;
he is President of the Syndicate Trading Company of New York City, and of
the Consolidated Dry Goods Company; is a director of the United Electric
Light Company, the Springfield Safe Deposit and Trust Company, and the
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. He is an active worker in the
Congregational Church, and a director of the Y. M. C. A. He is also a
member of the National Chamber of Commerce, of the St. Andrew’s Society of
the State of New York, the Nyasset, Sheomet, Mohawk and Country Clubs, the
National Arts Club, New York City, the Grolier Club, and the Miramichi
Fishing and Game Club of Canada.
In 1867, he was married in Glasgow
to Miss Janet Miller, who died many years ago. In 1883, he married Miss
Madora Vaille, of Springfield, who has been a most helpful and congenial
companion. He has six children; two of his sons, Andrew B., Jr., and
Douglas arc associated with him in the firm.
Mr. Wallace is actively interested
in all enterprises for the advancement of the city in which he lives, and
is exceedingly generous in his contributions to its philanthropic,
charitable and religious work. His beautiful home on Maple Street is one
of the attractions of the town; it stands on a hill, surrounded by large
shade trees and extensive, well-kept lawns. As a host, Mr. Wallace gathers
about him many of the most cultured people of Springfield and other
cities; an evening spent with him, his charming wife and beautiful
daughter is a memorable occasion. He is an enthusiastic art collector, and
has a remarkably fine collection of etchings and paintings which he has
gathered during his travels in Great Britain and on the Continent. He is
never happier than when showing these rare works of art to his friends.
The art department in his store is one of the largest and most complete in
this section. Mr. Wallace has a beautiful summer home at Hatchetts Point,
Conn., but every year he spends some time automobiling with his family, in
this country or Scotland and the continent of Europe. |
