California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


ROBERT H. WALLIS, a prosperous citizen living five miles east of Le Grand, figures prominently 
in the affairs of the community. Besides his home ranch of eight hundred and forty acres, 
five miles east of Le Grand, and the four-hundred-acre ranch adjoining, he leases and owns 
one hundred and sixty acres of land in the foothills, all of which is almost entirely devoted to 
the raising of grain, especially barley, of which splendid crops are obtained, and some attention 
is also given to stock raising. 

Robert H. Wallis is a son of John K. Wallis, a native of England, from which country he 
journeyed to the United States when but seven years of age, accompanying his parents. Locat- 
ing in Wisconsin, John K. Wallis, when of sufficient age, commenced farming. In 1850 he 
came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and settled near Sonora, Tuolumne 
county, where he remained six years, engaged in mining. At the end of that period he went 
back to Wisconsin, again coming west at a later date ; this time crossing the plains, through Colo- 
rado to Utah, where he mined until death claimed him in 1870, owing to an accident in 
the mines. He married Elizabeth James, who, like her husband, was born in England and 
reared in Wisconsin. 

A native of Iowa county, Wis., Robert H. Wallis was born October 14, 1859, an d reared 
on his father's farm in that section. At the age of ten years he hired out at $5 per month to 
work on a farm. Like his father, he was attracted westward and in 1881 came to California 
and located near Modesto, where he engaged as a hired hand. As he grew more prosperous he 
rented land, and in 1885 made a permanent settlement on the ranch where he now lives. He 
took for his life companion Rosa Dickinson, who bore him two children, John S. and Rosa R. In 
1895, Mrs. Walks' death occurred, a sad bereavement to the family and a large circle of 
friends. Mr. Wallis is a progressive and public-spirited citizen. He is a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically is an adherent of the principles advocated by the 
Republican party.