WALLACE, Deterich - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Danville, Ill. - Deterich H. Wallace, 101, Veedersburg, Ind., died Friday in a nursing home here. Wallace, a native of Germany, operated a Veedersburg drug store 65 years until his retirement about 17 years ago.

VEEDERSBURG — Deterich H. Wallace, who would have been 102 years old March 21, died at 2 p. m. Friday in the Vermillion County Nursing Home at Danville, Ill., where he had been a patient since last October. Prior to that time he spent several winters at the Waynetown Hotel but maintained his home on N. Newlin St. in Veedersburg. Mr. Wallace, who once replied to a friend's inquiry as to what he attributed his longevity, "Hard work and plenty of it," operated a drug store in Veedersburg for 65 years. At the time of his death he was still a stockholder and director of the Veedersburg State Bank and the Building & Loan. A native of Altenfeld, Germany, he was born in 1856 to Freiderich and Dorothea Wohlers. He came to this country as a young man of 26. He lived in Pennsylvania for a brief period, then went to Chicago to work. While there he learned that Yeddo needed a drug store. Mr. Wallace moved to Yeddo and operated a drug store there for six years. He moved to Veedersburg In 1889, conducting the business until frail health forced his retirement 17 years ago. Mr. Wallace, who as a young man had to return to Germany and serve a hitch in the army, became a naturalized American citizen in the 1880s. He was a member of the Veedersburg Christian Church and Knights of Pythias Lodge and was one of those instrumental in starting the Rockfield Cemetery which the lodge sponsored. Mr. Wallace also was prominent for years in civic affairs. He was twice married. To the first union, with Mollie D. Cox, a daughter was born. Mrs. Wallace died in May 1901, and he later was wed to Anna Brown Myer, who died in February, 1942. The surviving daughter is Miss Dorothy Wallace of Lagrange, Ill., who visited her father Christmas Eve but was in Washington, D, C. at the time of his death. She is flying back. Mr. Wallace had visited Germany frequently while relatives there were yet living. He made 11 Atlantic crossings. Funeral services have been set for 2 p. m. Sunday at the Christian Church with Rev. George Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in Rockfield Cemetery. Friends may call at the Fishero Funeral Home. The daughter has requested there be no flowers.   --typed by Walt W