Henry Cantwell Wallace

Biography

Henry Cantwell Wallace brought the voice of the farmer to the nation’s attention through his work as editor of Wallace’s Farmer, guiding the publication begun by his father and turning it into a platform for thoughtful discussion about agronomy, rural life, and the stewardship of the land. He traveled widely, conversing with seed men, county agents, and farmers themselves, carrying their concerns to readers who depended on his honest counsel.

Called to public service as Secretary of Agriculture in 1921, Wallace worked to modernize the Department and to keep policy rooted in the realities of American agriculture. He passed away in 1924, leaving a legacy of integrity and advocacy, and he rests in Woodland Cemetery where the state honors his service to the farm families of Iowa and the nation.