Frank A. Wallace, president of the R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Company of Wallingford, was born September 23, 1857, in the city where he still resides, and after attending its public schools he became the associate of his father in business, the father having established the enterprise which, under the name of the R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Company, has developed into one of the most important interests of the kind in the world. Under his father's direction Frank A. Wallace learned the business. His promotion came to him not through the exercise of parental influence or authority but was won by merit. He in time became superintendent of the plant and later was elected secretary and eventually became the president of the company. He was admitted to the firm in 1874 and succeeded his father in the presidency in 1892. He also became president of the Wallace Purchasing Company in 1894 and so continued until the business was closed out. Moreover, he figures prominently in financial circles as the president of the First National Bank of Wallingford and he is a director of the Wallingford Company. His plans are well formulated and carefully executed. He thoroughly understands every phase of the business with which he is associated and the development of the trade relations of the house is attributable in no small measure to his efforts and understanding.

Mr. Wallace has been married twice. On the 14th of January, 1884, he wedded Zela Curtis and they became the parents of two children: Robert, who passed away; and Floyd Wallace. For his second wife Mr. Wallace chose Sarah Rose Manning, whom he wedded December 7, 1898, and they have become parents of two daughters, Barbara Manning and Jean Atwater. The family residence is at No. 68 South Main street, in Wallingford.

Mr. Wallace belongs to the Union League Club of New Haven and is a member of the New Haven Anti-Tuberculosis Society. He belongs to the Congregational church and in matters of citizenship he is deeply and helpfully interested. Recognizing the duties as well as the obligations that devolve upon him in a public relation, he stanchly advocates every cause or movement that he believes will be helpful to the community. In politics he is a republican and in 1908 lie was a member of the Connecticut house of representatives. He finds his chief recreations in fly fishing and in motoring. His activities are those which touch the general interests of society and work for public improvement and progress, and in all matters of general concern he keeps abreast with the best thinking men of the age.