William H. Wallace (born July 19, 1811 in Troy, Ohio - died February 7, 1879 in Steilacoom, Washington) was the first governor and Congressional delegate from Idaho Territory, and was the younger brother, by 12 years, of David Wallace who was a governor of Indiana. Wallace also represented Washington Territory as a Congressional delegate. He was also a a member of the Iowa territorial House of Representative. After being admitted to the bar, he moved to Iowa in 1837, William was a member of Iowa territorial House of Representatives, 1838; member Iowa territorial council, 1842-43; candidate for Delegate to U.S. Congress from Iowa Territory, 1843; candidate for U.S. Senator from Iowa, 1848; moved to the Territory of Washington in 1853; member of the Territorial council in 1855 and 1856 and served as president of the council; appointed Governor of the Territory of Washington in 1861, but did not qualify, having been elected as a Republican a Delegate from the Territory of Washington to the Thirty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1861-March 3, 1863).
Wallace was elected the Congressional delegate from Washington Territory in 1860 and served a single term. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed him governor of the newly-formed Idaho Territory. Wallace served as governor until he was elected the Congressional delegate from Idaho Territory in 1864 and served from February 1, 1864, to March 3, 186 .
In April 1865 Wallace was reputedly one of several people who turned down an invitation from Lincoln to accompany him to Ford's Theatre on the night Lincoln was assasinated.
This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Governors of Washington Territory Stevens • McMullen • Gholson • Wallace • Pickering • Cole • Moore • Flanders • Salomon • Ferry • Newell • Squire • Semple • Moore
Governors of Idaho Territory Wallace • Lyon • Ballard • Bowen • Bennett • Thompson • Brayman • Neil • Irwin • Bunn • Stevenson • Shoup
