Ventura
County
Biographies
CARL JAMES WALLACE
Important trusts have been reposed
in Carl J. Wallace, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Identification and
Investigation of Ventura County, a position he has filled with marked ability
for nearly eight years. He was born in
Chicago, Illinois, August 15, 1894, and at the age of ten years was brought to
California by his parents, James Harry and Eva May (Zimmerman) Wallace, who
arrived in this state on the 21st of June, 1905. They settled in Los Angeles in 1921 and the
father engaged in business in that city for a number of years. He remained there until his death in
December, 1931, and was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Cemetery. He is survived by the mother, who now resides
in Ventura, California.
Carl J. Wallace began his education
in Chicago and after his graduation from the San Mateo high school took an
extension course in law with the University of California at Berkeley. He enlisted in the United States Coast
Artillery on the 10th of March, 1911, and served until June 4,
1920. He was sent to the Philippine
Islands, where he was attached to the quartermaster’s department, acting as
chief clerk of the Motor Transport Corps.
During the World War he was in Siberia with the United States forces,
and on November 19, 1919, was placed in the reserves. He was made superintendent of warehouses for
the Pacific Commercial Company at Manila, occupying the position for about a
year.
On his return to the United Sates
Mr. Wallace engaged in ranching near Merced, California, until August, 1922,
when he entered the employ of the American Beet Sugar Company at Oxnard, where
he was afterward in the employ of Lehmann Brothers, a connection that was
maintained until April, 1924. Meanwhile
he had become secretary of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Fraternal
Order of Eagles and materially furthered their interests, many of their units
having been organized through his individual efforts. In the spring of 1924 he was chosen adjutant of
American Legion Post, No. 48, and served until July, 1925, when he resigned in
order to devote his attention to the duties devolving upon him as secretary of
the Ventura County Fair Association, continuing on its board until 1930. In October, 1925, he was appointed a deputy
under Sherriff Robert Emmett Clark, who is still serving. The Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation
of Ventura County was opened at that time, with Mr. Wallace as its
superintendent, and the fact that he has since been continued in this
responsible position is indicative of the worth of his service. A keen student of human nature, he is
thoroughly familiar with the characteristics of criminals and has been very
successful in their apprehension. He is
a recognized expert in his particular field of usefulness and in 1931 was
honored with the presidency of the California division of the International
Association of Identification. He was
secretary of the Ventura County Peace Officers Association for three years and
is now a member of the board of directors in the International Footprint Association,
and International Association for Identification. He has written many articles bearing on his
profession.
In September, 1926, Mr. Wallace was
married to Miss Blanche Pauline Leoni, of Los
Angeles, who was formerly a featured player in the productions of the
Metro-Goldwin Company of Hollywood. She
is a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Ventura and
figures prominently in its social life. Mr.
Wallace belongs to the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ventura
Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of
Eagles, the Improved Order of Red Men and Poinsettia Lodge, No. 633, F. &
A. M. He gives his political allegiance
to the Democratic Party, and has a high conception of the duties and
obligations of citizenship.
Conscientious and dependable, he has never undertaken a task until he
considered it worthy of his best efforts and is esteemed for his integrity, his
public spirit and force of character.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. III, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 255-257, Clarke Publ.,
Chicago, Los Angeles,
Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S VENTURA
BIOGRAPIES