Philip GRACE, b. 1843

Philip Grace, living on section 33, Monroe township, is numbered among the public men of the county and is now serving on the board of supervisors. His worth and progressive citizenship is of value in the community and his efforts in behalf of the general welfare have been effective and far-reaching. He has made his home in the county since 1885, and is now farming a neat, productive tract of land of two hundred and forty acres. He was born in Kendall county, Illinois, November 13, 1843, a son of James and Cecelia (Hollinshead) Grace, the former a native of Ireland, whence he emigrated to New York and afterward to Illinois, where, he engaged in farming. He was married in the latter state to Miss Hollinshead, a native of New York, and in 1864 the family removed to Iowa, settling in Mahaska county. There were eight children, who were reared in this state. Philip Grace is the eldest of the family and spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the home farm, attending the common schools and aiding in the labors of the fields. He was eighteen years of age when he enlisted in behalf of the Union cause, becoming a member of Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The regiment rendezvoused at Chicago and thence went to Memphis, Tennessee, its first battle being at Chickasaw Bluffs, Mississippi. From there the command proceeded to Arkansas Post, and afterward participated in the siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Champion Hills, Mr. Grace was wounded at Vicksburg on the 19th of May, 1863, and was so seriously injured that for six months he lay in the hospital. He then rejoined his regiment at Big Shanty, Georgia, on the 16th of June, 1864, and two days later he participated in the charge at Little Kenesaw Mountain, where several officers of the brigade were either killed or wounded. Later he took part in the battle of Atlanta on the 22d of July, 1864, and on that date was captured and sent to Andersonville prison, where he remained for ninety-two days, knowing all of the hardships and horrors of that southern prison pen. At length he was exchanged at Jonesboro, Georgia, and with his old company went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. Later the regiment went to Washington and was mustered out, after which he returned to Chicago, where he was honorably discharged in June, 1865. He was a brave soldier although but a boy when he enlisted and is familiar with all of the hardships, privations and dangers meted out to those who defended the Union. After his return to the north Mr. Grace spent a few days in Kendall county, Illinois, at his childhood's home, and then came to Iowa, joining his father's family, who in 1864 had removed to this state. For fourteen years he engaged in the operation of a rented farm and then purchased sixty-two acres on North river, where he built a goad home and further improved his farm. In November, 1870, Mr. Grace was united in marriage to Miss Sarah L. Wymore, a native of Mahaska county and a daughter of William Wymore, who was born in Indiana, and came to this county at an early day, settling upon the farm where Mr. Grace now resides. After a time Mr. Grace sold his sixty-two acres of land and Mrs. Grace inherited a portion of her father's farm, and Mr. Grace purchased the remainder from the other heirs. Since that time he has added eighty acres and now has a splendid property of two hundred and forty acres. He has placed many excellent improvements upon the farm, has cleared and fenced the land and has his fields under a high state of cultivation. He has also dug a deep well, furnishing an abundant supply of water, has erected good buildings and has cleared seventy acres from the brush. Everything about his place is well kept, showing his careful supervision and practical methods and he is regarded as one of the successful farmers of his county. Mr. Grace has lost his first wife. There were eight children by that marriage, six of whom are now living: James W., a resident of Hastings, Oklahoma; Fred, who resides in Adams township; John, in Madison township; Theresa Aelene, the wife of George Kirk, of Madison township; and Elam and Henry, who are carrying on the home farm. For his second wife Mr. Grace chose Miss Ella McCloud, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Albert McCloud, who is still living in this county. Six children have been born of the second marriage, but the eldest, Herbin, died at the age of four years, and Mary passed away a year later. The others are Maggie, Madge and Maud, twins, and Emory. Mr. and Mrs. Grace attend the Union church and Mr. Grace is a member of the Grand Army post at Rose Hill. He is likewise connected with the Odd Fellows lodge at that place and he and his wife are members of the Rebekah lodge, while his sons Elam and John, are likewise connected with the Odd Fellows lodge. Politically Mr. Grace is a strong republican, having supported the party since attaining his majority. He has served in some township offices, the duties of which he has discharged in a capable manner, and in January, 1906, he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the hoard of supervisors, so that he is the present incumbent in the office. In all matters of citizenship he is as loyal as when he followed the old flag upon the southern battlefields and he belongs to that class of citizens who uphold the political, legal and moral status of the community.

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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906

Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa

Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy

Iowa Genealogy

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