James C Gracey, b 11 May 1833

GRACEY, WHITE, BRYANT, MILES, KNOX

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 4/30/2004 at 13:49:13

James C. Gracey, of Iowa Township, enjoys the reputation of being one of the most genial Irish farmers in this county, and is one of the wealthiest and most popular citizens of Iowa Township. He began in life poor in purse, but by hard work, economy, and good management has become independent. He was born in County Down, Ireland, May 11, 1833, and is the son of Robert and Elizabeth (White) Gracey, natives of the same county as their son, and the parents of six children, of whom James C., our subject, was the youngest born. The others were Robert (deceased), Alexander, William J., Agnes, and Margaret.

Young Gracey received rather a limited education in his native Ireland, and when approaching manhood occupied himself at blacksmithing until reaching his majority. Then, not satisfied with his condition or his prospects, he set out for America, landing in Canada in June, 1854, taking up his abode near Hamilton. He was there occupied two years at blacksmithing, and in the fall of 1856 crossed the St. Lawrence, and, making his way beyond the Mississippi, began blacksmithing; and then purchased a tract of land on section 19, in Iowa Township, not far from his present farm. He employed himself as a blacksmith until the spring of 1863, then turned his attention to farming upon the land which he now occupies.

Our subject in the meantime had been married, July 29, 1859, to Miss Ann Bryant, daughter of Joseph, and sister of George Bryant, of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Gracey settled upon the new farm, and in due time became the parents of two sons - Robert and James. The first mentioned married Miss Lyda A. Miles, is the father of two children, Glenn and Ethel, and occupies himself as a farmer in Cherokee County, this State. James married Miss Lyda Knox, and is also a resident of Cherokee County; they have no children.

The Gracey homestead comprises 244 acres of land, and our subject owns eighty acres in Cherokee County. He is a decided Republican, politically, and has served as Township Trustee four years, and for a time was Constable during the late war. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Miles. The farm is well stocked with Norman horses, Short-horn cattle, and Poland-China swine, of which Mr. Gracey is able to exhibit some very fine specimens. He has for this purpose all the modern conveniences, including a fine frame barn, 32x72 feet in dimensions, with 16-feet posts, and an addition of 32x20 feet. Under the main part is a fine basement of stone, 32x52 feet, with solid walls which will withstand the storms of a century. The dwelling is in keeping with the other buildings, being a handsome frame structure, neat and commodious, two stories in height; the main part being 18x28 feet in area, with an addition of 16x28 feet, not including the woodshed and summer kitchen of one story, 16-20 feet. The whole premises presents the picture of plenty and prosperity, which it is delightful to contemplate, and illustrates in a forcible manner what may be accomplished by industry and perseverance.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)