10/25/2023
A piece of Winfield history...
Celebrating 100 years ago!
Joshua (Josh) N. Wallace was born in Shelby County, near Windsor, Ill., Jan. 15, 1868. He was only 10 years old when his parents, Josiah and America (Ross) Wallace, came to Kansas in 1878. He attended the city schools and Southwestern College and he was captain of the first football squad at the college.
On October 28, 1896, at Wilmot, Joshua N. Wallace was united in marriage to Emma Elliott. The Wallace family home was built in 1907 and was located at 221 East 11th Ave, Winfield, Kansas, now known as The Parlor Room. This beautiful Revival style home, was the first house in Winfield to have gas piped to it for a fireplace. Now named The Parlor Room as a parlor room was a common room or place to gather for celebrations, meetings and simple places of conversation.
In his early years Wallace learned the men's furnishing business under Eli Youngheim, who had a clothing establishment. Later he started a clothing store of his own called Josh Wallace Clothing. It was located at the northeast corner of Main and 10th. The picture of Wallace painted on the side of his store still shadows through on the brick today.(Pictured below)
Joshua N. Wallace was a tremendous asset to the Winfield community and its growth and development. He was involved and invested in Winfield's schools and colleges, its churches and city management. After Winfield adopted the commission management form of government, Wallace was a member of the first commission and served with Dr. H. L. Snyder and W. T. Irvin from1921 to 1924, Wallace became mayor in 1924.
On May 6, 1924, Mr. Wallace was appointed a member of the William Newton Memorial Hospital board and served until 1927. While he did not have an office on any boards at Southwestern, he was generous with his financial support of the college.
A member of the First Methodist Church most of his life, he had served on the official board and at one time was chairman of the board of trustees and remained active until his health failed. He was one of the first presidents of the Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of Rotary and a member of the Masonic Lodge.
He was principle owner of the Winfield Hotel Co. ( Lagonda Hotel ), and was prominent in the early oil development in Cowley County.
A valuable citizen of the city of Winfield worth celebrating him becoming mayor 100 years ago!
