George Selden Wallace came to Huntington in 1893 and after graduating from West Virginia University Law School entered into private law practice. He served his country in the Spanish American War in 1898 and rode with Teddy Roosevelt at San Juan Hill. In 1912, he placed Woodrow Wilson's name into nomination for president of the United States at the Democratic National Convention. Wallace became the first officer to join the newly-formed Reserve Officer Corps in West Virginia and during the Great War in 1917, he joined the Judge Advocate General Corps and served in France.
At the end of the war, Wallace returned to Huntington, his law practice and his family. He spearheaded the revival of interest in parks and playgrounds in the City of Huntington. Wallace was often referred to as the father of Huntington's park system' because he was largely responsible for the implementation, design and creation of Ritter Park, Rotary Park, Kiwanis Park. St. Cloud Commons, 27th Street Park the recreational center at 17th Street, Holderby Commons, Fairfield Stadium, Wallace Park, Camp Mad Anthony Wayne, Memorial Park and the Veterans Memorial Arch.
His contributions to the literary world include his book, "Cabell County Annals and Families and "Huntington Through Seventy-Five Years.”