KSGenWeb Digital Library Biographical Sketch of George Grace Doniphan County, Kansas

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE:  In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied materiel.  These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain.  Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged.  Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires approval of the file's author.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following transcription is from a 750 page book titled "Genealogical and Biographical Record of North-Eastern Kansas, dated 1900.  These have been diligently transcribed and generously contributed by Penny R. Harrell, please give her a very big Thank You for her hard work!

George Grace

In the year in which Kansas was organized as a territory George Grace came to Doniphan county and through the intervening years he has ever borne his part in the work of upbuilding and progress, giving a loyal support to all measures which have tended to benefit the community with which he is identified.  He lived here through the troublous times which preceded the civil war and has noted with interest the marked advancement which has been made by the commonwealth since the cessation of hostilities brought peace to this locality by settling the question of slavery.

A native of Indiana, George Grace was born in Rush county, on the 1st of October, 1831, and is a son of William Grace, who was born in Virginia.  His grandparents, George and Jane (Crotree) Grace were also native of Virginia, but for some years resided in Indiana, where their last days were passed. William Grace married Miss Mary Swift, and they became the parents of the following children: John, Robert, James, Abraham, Oliver, George, Sarah Jane, Clarissa, William and Theodore and two daughters who died in early girlhood.

In 1844 the family removed to Platte county, Missouri, where the father died at the age of forty-six years.  He was a Jackson Democrat in political faith and in religious belief was a Methodist. His wife died in Buchanan county, Missouri, at the advanced age of eighty-four years.  Mr. Grace, of this review, spent his early boyhood days in his native state and in 1844 accompanied his parents to Missouri, where he remained until twenty three years of age.

He then came to Kansas and secured a claim on Enterprise Creek.  Here he endured many hardships, for Kansas was passing through the stormy period when border ruffians flourished and when a bitter strife was being raged between the friends and opponents of slavery.  He was, however, well fitted to endure such hardships as he aided in the development and settlement of the new locality, and in 1850 he made an overland trip to California from DeKalb county, Missouri, four months and eight days being required to complete the journey, which was made with ox teams.

He was in the California mines for some time and then returned by the water route and the Isthmus of Panama.  After establishing a home in Kansas, he untiringly devoted his energies to the operation of his land and the improvement of a good farm until August, 1862, when, prompted by a spirit of patriotism he enlisted in Company C, Thirteenth Kansas Cavalry, under Captain Robinson and Colonel Bowen.

The regiment was stationed in western Arkansas and Missouri and though it took part in no very large battles it service was arduous, difficult and often fought with great danger.  Mr. Grace was honorably discharged at Springfield, Missouri, in March, 1863, on account of disability and returned home, locating in Doniphan county, where he has since remained.  In the same year he married Miss Mary Ann Brock, who was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, a daughter of Hiram and Mary (Rector) Brock, natives of Ohio.

On the maternal side she is of German lineage.  Her father died in Missouri, at the age of fifty years, and her mother passed away in Kansas when seventy-eight years of age.  They were the parents of eleven children, namely: Hiram, a soldier who journeyed across the plains with Gen.
Fremont, spending three years in the west, he conducted a ferry in California, and also owned a farm of 300 acres adjoining Sacramento; James, who was shot in California at an early period of its history; George, of this review; William, who for two years was a soldier in the civil war, serving with the Thirteenth Kansas Cavalry and was killed by bushwhackers in Arkansas; C. Brock, who was also a member of the Thirteenth Kansas Cavalry, and was killed by lightning; Eliza Maria; Nancy Jane; Mary Ann; Rebecca; Elizabeth and Ellen.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Grace have been born ten children, by only three are living, namely: Adelia, wife of Gabriel Geradde, of Doniphan county; George, who is living in St. Joseph, Missouri; and Charles, at home.  Those who have passed away are Anna, who died in her sixth year; a son who died in infancy; Velena, who died at the age of fifteen months; William, who died at the age of thirteen years; John, whose death occurred when he was twenty-three years of age; Mary, who became the wife of A. M. Meyers and died at the age of twenty-two years, leaving a son; and Theodore, who was a twin brother of Adelia and died at the age of twenty-one years.

Mr. Grace and his family are members of the Christian church and are widely and favorably known in this locality.  His support was given to Democracy until the inauguration of the civil war, since which time he has voted the Republican ticket.  As a means of livelihood during his residence in Doniphan county he has followed agricultural pursuits and is now regarded as one of the most prosperous and influential farmers of his locality.

He came to northeastern Kansas during its pioneer epoch and the track of his shining plow indicated the path of civilization.  Around him stretched the unbroken prairies on which were scattered but few pioneer homes, but with the passing years have built up and developed the highest civilization of the older east.  Mr. Grace has advocated all the movements tending towards the upbuilding of his county in which he is well known.

Last update: Sunday, January 18, 2004 01:36:02

The Digital Library of the KSGenWeb is a non-commercial entity dedicated to free access to records of genealogical value. All documents contained herein may be freely copied for personal and library use, as long as the KSGenWeb Statement of Use remains attached. These records may not be published in any format, including electronic (web pages or CD's) and print, without prior written consent of the contributor. In order to insure continued free access, violators of this policy will be vigorously pursued.

We invite all contributions of transcribed records with genealogical value. This could range from wills and letters from your personal family records to indexes of your county's marriage records. There are many, many more examples, of course. Anything you have that you are willing to contribute will be gratefully accepted. For more information, contact Kenneth Thomas, KSGenWeb Digital Library Coordinator at kgthomas5@earthlink.net.

We also accept any non-copyrighted printed materials that you have access to and would like to see transcribed and placed on-line. If the material is copyrighted and you are the copyright holder, please include written permission for use by The KSGenWeb Digital Library. These may be mailed to Kenneth Thomas, 26 Circle Dr., Windsor, MO 65360-1610.

  KSGENWEB DIGITAL LIBRARY PAGE
  KSGENWEB HOME PAGE

Page Design, HTML Coding and Layout - Copyright©1998-2004 by Kenneth Thomas, All Rights Reserved.
The KSGenWeb Project logo Copyright©1996-2004 by Tom & Carolyn Ward, All Rights Reserved.
For the limited use of the KSGenWeb Project.  Permission is granted for use only on an Official KSGenWeb Project page.
The Official USGenWeb Project logo designed by Linda Cole.