WALLIS, James Harold

Photo courtesy: Andrea W. Petho

WALLIS, James Harold. (Dubuque, IA, Jan. 23, 1885-Scarsdale, NY, Jan. 13, 1958). Wallis, the son of John William Wallis and Mary Burton, attended high school in Dubuque and was the class valedictorian. At Yale, he was the class poet, editor of the "Lit" and Courant, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He planned to study law and entered the University of Chicago before deciding on another career path.

Wallis served as editor of the Dubuque Times Journal until 1919 when he organized the Dubuque Daily News.

An experienced politician, Wallis served as an alderman and mayor pro tempore from 1912-1917. He began and then led a campaign to adopt the city manager plan of government in Dubuque while serving as publisher and editor of the Dubuque Daily News. He served as the chairman of the Finance Committee while on the city council and it was on his motion that $3,000 was appropriated for the purchase of the city's "automobile" ambulance. He also insisted that the "lungmotor" be purchased as well as fire equipment for the Grandview and Rhomberg fire stations. He brought about the raise in the assessment of the UNION ELECTRIC COMPANY from $500,000 to $1,500,000 which, according to his campaign literature, saved the taxpayers paying more. Wallis chaired the first hotel committee that took charge of building a new hotel in Dubuque after the destruction of the Julien. In 1915 he was the general chairman of the committees that raised $65,000 for a new YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (Y.M.C.A.) building. Representing the Fourth Ward, Wallis supported the extension of the carline out West Locust Street to connect with the Delhi street line. His work also led to the purchase of the triple-combination automobile pumping engine and its installation at the Delhi Street fire station. He was one of the organizers of the Allison-Henderson Memorial Association and served on the Organizing Committee of the International Bank of Washington, D. C.

Wallis was called to international service with the American Relief in Belgium and later as Special Assistant to Herbert Hoover in Washington, D.C. Wallis prepared the first daily summary of world events with analysis of editorial opinions. Hoover's recognition of Wallis' writing talents led to him encouraging his assistant to "strike out on his own." Wallis moved from Washington, D.C. to New York in 1927 and then to Scarsdale, Arizona.

Wallis authored eleven novels including The Woman He Chose (1934), The Politician: His Habits, Outcries, and Protective Coloring (1935),The Synthetic Philanthropist (1943) and The Niece of Abraham Pein (1943). He also wrote three volumes of poetry and numerous magazine articles.

In 1945 Once Off Guard was made into a film entitled The Woman in the Window starring Raymond Massey, Edward G. Robinson, and Joan Bennett. In 1949 "Strange Bargain" screen play by Lillie Hayward, based on a story by J. H. Wallis, was produced by Sid Rogell for RKO Radio Pictures. Inc.

J.H. Wallis with Mr. Ray Connor, manager of the Palace Theater, 47th and Broadway in New York City, at the opening of the movie, "The Woman in the Window" (January 25, 1945) Photo courtesy: Andrea W. Petho

Six other books Wallis authored were mystery-detective novels including The Servant of Death, Murder Mansion, Cries in the Night, The Capital City Mystery, Murder by Formula, The Servant of Death, and The Mystery of Vaucluse.

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Source:

Andrea Wallis Petho

Congressional Record, February 24, 1958

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