Merritt Carman Wallace

Merritt Wallace, Early Rancher of County, Dies

Merritt Carman Wallace, 78, long-time rancher of northwest Sioux County and native of Fall River, S.D., died January 15 at Hot Springs, S.D. Funeral services were held at the United Memorial Methodist Church at Harrison on January 19.

Mr. Wallace was born March 29, 1892, at Eckard, Fall River County, S.D., the son of Robert and Hila C. Wallace. He was raised on a ranch west of Ardmore, and his schooling was in the country school on Indian Creek.

Later Mr. Wallace homesteaded in South Dakota, and in 1928 purchased the ranch adjoining his birthplace in Sioux County where he has since made his home. Ranching was his lifetime vocation, but he varied his activities by sawing lumber at his sawmill in the Black Hills, doing custom threshing throughout the area, and also worked for a time as a machinist's helper and fireman on the Burlington Railroad. In later years, he developed his skill as a gunsmith, and spent many enjoyable hours with this hobby and guiding and hunting with the many hunters who came to his ranch. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association.

Always interested in education, he was very active working for the small schools in rural areas, and served many years on the school board of the local school district.

On May 16, 1925, he married Agnes Van DeWater of Hot Springs, S.D. He leaves his wife, Agnes, their five children, Jerald, Carroll, and Daniel of Harrison, Veneda Serres of Van Tassell, Wyo., and Almetta Wonters of Crawford, Neb.; one sister, Winnie Tubbs of Edgemont, S.D; three brothers, Bedford F. Wallace of Keats, Kans., William Wallace of Denver, Colo. and Everett Wallace of Edgemont, S.D.; and 11 grandchildren. One son, Quinton, and four sisters and one brother died previously.

The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. J. Lee Gorman, pastor of the church. A quartet of Todd King, Larry Todd, Barry Mooney, and Jay Dee Smith sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Home On The Range."

Pallbearers were Clinton Caylor, Albert Morgan, Clarence Schnurr, Jerald Tanner, Loren Caylor, Adolph Zurcher. Honorary bearers were Frank DeWoody, Paul Hopper, W. E. Caylor, E. J. Serres, John L. Zimmerman, Lloyd Story and Leo Dunlap.

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