WCP595

Letter (WCP595.595)

[1]

LA CROSSE WIS. 2/17 1913

Alfred R. Wallace

Dear Sir

Yours of Feb. 2d at hand and contents noted, am sending you a photograph of my Father David Wallace who was born in England Aug. 14th 1832, and died in La Crosse Dec. 11th 1906.

He was a brick-layer and contractor in this city since 1856 until the time of his death.

I have often heard him talk of Durham and New Castle[sic] on Tine[sic] but think the former place was his residence. He had a Brother Robert also a bricklayer who came to this country, but he lost all trace of him.

Father would never talk of his relations so I can not give you any more information than I have. About 10 years ago he took a trip to England to see if he could locate any of his relations but could not find any of them.

My relatives and friends claim the same as I do that your portrait is a better portrait of Father than any I have. When I see your portrait in the [2] Illustrated London News I was very much surprised none so when I read your name under the Portrait.

The Portrait made me think there might be some relation between you and Father and you are the only who would know.

Thanking you in advance for an early reply

I am | Yours truly | J.E. Wallace [signature]

1117 Division St.

La Crosse Wis.

U.S.A.

Enclosure (WCP595.1483)

[1]

David Wallace.

Born Aug. 14, 1832 in England[.] Died Dec. 11, 1906 in La Crosse Wis. U.S.A

His son J.E. Wallace says the portrait of A.R.W. in the "Ill. London News" Sep. 28, 1912, is a better portrait of his father than any he has!

[2]

[Sepia picture of David Wallace]

Envelope (WCP595.1484)

Envelope addressed to "Alfred R. Wallace, Old Orchard, Broadstone, Dorset, England", with printed return address: "J. E. Wallace, Contractor, 1117 Division St., La Crosse, Wis., U.S.A."; and with stamp, postmarked "LA CROSSE WIS | FEB 1913 | 17 10-00PM." Front of envelope is annotated in W. G. Wallace's hand: "Photo of David Wallace said to be v. like ARW's photo in Ill. Lond. News. Born 1832". [Envelope (WCP595.1484)]

Please cite as “WCP595,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 29 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP595