By: Kirk Walstedt, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
William Wallace, a prominent citizen of Maidstone Township in the mid-19th century, was born on Christmas Day, 1836, in Windsor, Ontario. He was the second son of Alexander and Jane (Dickson), early settlers in the Township. Both were born in Fifeshire, Scotland—Alexander in 1800 and Jane in 1806. Alexander migrated to Quebec as a young man, then moved to Toronto, where he worked as a carpenter and joiner until 1834, when he, his wife, and young son Alexander moved to Windsor, where he continued his trade for a few more years.
In 1838, Alexander purchased 100 heavily wooded acres fronting Lake St. Clair, accessible by a barely passable trail later known as the Wallace Line. There, Alexander and Jane settled, clearing the wild bushland over the years with the assistance of neighbours and their 2 sons. They eventually built… “a fine home, barns and out-buildings, making it one of the best country homes in the Township.”
Alexander Jr. was born in 1833 and was the oldest of the 3 children. He was followed by William in 1836 and Elizabeth in 1839. Jane passed away suddenly at 36 years of age in 1841, leaving Alexander with three young children, which he raised on his own.
Their son, Alexander, moved to Grand Haven, Michigan, as a young man and lived there until the American Civil War began in 1861. He enlisted in a Michigan Infantry Regiment and died of wounds received at the Battle of Spotsylvania on May 8, 1864, leaving his widow with two young children.
William grew up on the farm and played a major role in clearing the land and bringing it into cultivation. For a few years, he worked in a Detroit sawmill to earn enough money to purchase the family farm so his father could retire in some comfort. He always remembered the great job his father had done raising 3 young children by himself and wanted to ensure that when his father retired, he would not have to worry about being a financial burden on his family. Alexander did have a peaceful retirement and passed away at 78 years of age in 1878. He was buried beside his wife, Jane, in the Presbyterian Church Cemetery. It was said that he and Jane were good Christian folk and among the founders of the Presbyterian Church, which continues to serve the community to this day.
In 1872, William returned to Maidstone and purchased the family farm from his father in preparation for his marriage to Elizabeth Thompson, which took place later that same year. Elizabeth was a native of Scotland and immigrated to Canada at 16. William and Elizabeth had 5 children, Malcolm, Albert, William J., Margaret, and Stanley. Albert was born in 1875 and graduated from Chatham Business College. He became a prominent figure in the Township and served as Maidstone Township Reeve (Mayor) for 6 years, from 1935 to 1941.
William was very community-minded, always wanting to help make his community and Township a better place for his fellow citizens. He served on the Presbyterian Church Board for many years and was a member of the Maidstone Township School Board for over 30 years.
William and Elizabeth remained on the original family farm for the rest of their lives. William was 69 when he died in 1905. Elizabeth died 15 years later, in 1920. She was 72.
The Commemorative Biographical Record of Essex County, Maidstone Township An Historical Review and the Walstedt Historical Archives were valuable resources in the writing of this article.