Person Page 1,742

Elizabeth Fredonia Gracey was born on 1 Apr 1893 in TennesseeG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, G in the household of her parents, Julien Frank Gracey and Minnie Irene Thomas.¹¹ She appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, G in the household of her parents.¹² It appears that Elizabeth and Bess became acquainted through his sister, Elizabeth, who entertained Bess with a new year dance at the courthouse in 1911, with music by the Clarksville Orchestra. How they met is unknown, but perhaps they had met at school. Why the couple married in Memphis is also unknown. Press accounts of their marriage in his hometown described the marriage "as a complete surprise to many friends in this city." While she was mentioned often in the society pages of of the Fort Worth newspapers before her marriage, no mention of their marriage appears there. They settled in Clarksville after the marriage, temporarily at his father's home.^13,14
     Elizabeth held an auction bridge party in honor of her brother Frank's new bride, Bess, in her parent's "handsome old colonial home" on 22 Jan 1914. The home was described as "splendidly adapted to entertaining on a large scale," and the event as one of the largest and most beautiful parties of the winter season. There were 16 tables of players and two for other guests. The score prize was a pair of colonial silver candlesticks, and the guest of honor received a cut glass bottle of smelling salts. A "delicious hot luncheon was served with an ice accompaniment" of apricots served with green cherries.¹⁵
     Elizabeth married John Jarrand West, son of John Jarrad West and Georgia Beaumont, on 18 Sep 1918 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., TennesseeG. They were married in a quiet ceremony with only immediate family at the home of her sister Hope on Greenwood Ave. Rev. Edward Stubblefield, pastor of the First Baptist Church officiated.^7,8,6,9
      They departed for New York CityG, where he was engaged in business, immediately after the ceremoney.¹⁶
     Elizabeth and John appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York, at 118 Montague G, enumerated 6 Jan 1920, reporting they rented their home.¹⁷
     Elizabeth and John apparently moved to TarrytownG, a northern suburb of New York, sometime after 1920, but just when is unknown.¹⁸
     Her father died 6 Apr 1929 without a will, so under the law Elizabeth and her seven siblings were each entitled to an equal share of the estate. The estate was not divided, but each of the heirs received an undivided one-eight interest in the whole estate.¹⁹ The heirs decided the property should be held together for five years, and no one of them should have the power to sell or encumber any of the property, nor should the property be liable for any tort or other liability of any one of them. On 1 May 1929 they transferred the real estate to the executors of their father's estate, who was to hold it in trust and pay each of them their share of the rents after expenses.²⁰ An inventory of the estate was prepared 5 Oct 1929, showing a total value of $245,904, including over $6,000 in cash, stock and bonds worth over $195,000, two warehouses valued at $37,000, and about $7,000 in other real estate.²¹
     Elizabeth and John moved to New South Wales, AustraliaG, in mid-1929.^22,23
     They moved to England, sailing from Sydney to London aboard the Narkunda, arriving 16 May 1930.^24,25,26 By 1933 they were living in an apartment in Eyre Court, Finchley Rd.G, where they continued to live until they returned to New York.^27,28 Her sister Irene and her daughter moved to London by 1931. While they lived elsewere most of the time, it appears they lived with them at times.^29,30,31,32
     Elizabeth and John moved back to New York, arriving in New York City 8 Jan 1937, aboard the S.S. Washington, having sailed from Southampton on 30 Dec. They gave as their intended addresss as 41 N. Broadway, Tarrytown. G Her sister Irene and her daughter returned with them, indicating they intended to live at the same address.^33,34
     Elizabeth and John appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Mount Pleasant, Westchester Co., New York, at 7 Farrington G, enumerated 5 Dec 1940, reporting they rented their home, for $80 per month, and that they had lived in London in 1935.³⁵
     Her husband died on 6 Sep 1962 in Tarrytown, New YorkG.³⁶
     Elizabeth died on 7 Nov 1963 in New YorkG at age 70.¹⁰

Donald Gracey was born on 31 Jul 1899 in Clarksville, TennesseeG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, G in the household of his parents, Julien Frank Gracey and Minnie Irene Thomas.¹ He appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, G in the household of his parents.²
     Donald attended Southwestern Presbyterian University, ClarksvilleG, which moved to Memphis in 1925 and is now known as Rhodes College, after which the campus was used by Austin Peay State University.^15,16
     Donald registered for the draft for World War I on 12 Sep 1918, while living in 611 Madison Street, Clarksville, TennesseeG, reporting he was employed as a student at Southwestern Presbyterian College.³ He drafted into the U.S. Army 5 Oct 1918, at Southwestern Presbyterian University, ClarksvilleG. No details of his service have been found. He was discharged 10 Dec 1918.^17,18
     He appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, G in the household of his father, Julien Frank Gracey.¹⁹
     Donald attended University of the South, Sewanee, TennesseeG, for the 1919-1920 and 1920-1921 terms. While there he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.^20,21,22
     Donald, and his brother-in-law Sidney Baxter Outlaw, were in business together as the Grange Coal Company, in ClarksvilleG in the fall of 1924. The business seems to have been short-lived, as no mention of it has been found of it outside of that time period.²³
     His father died 6 Apr 1929 without a will, so under the law Donald and his seven siblings were each entitled to an equal share of the estate. The estate was not divided, but each of the heirs received an undivided one-eight interest in the whole estate.²⁴ The heirs decided the property should be held together for five years, and no one of them should have the power to sell or encumber any of the property, nor should the property be liable for any tort or other liability of any one of them. On 1 May 1929 they transferred the real estate to the executors of their father's estate, who was to hold it in trust and pay each of them their share of the rents after expenses.²⁵ An inventory of the estate was prepared 5 Oct 1929, showing a total value of $245,904, including over $6,000 in cash, stock and bonds worth over $195,000, two warehouses valued at $37,000, and about $7,000 in other real estate.²⁶
     Donald married Finley Elder, daughter of Martin Wallace Elder and Sarah Finley Williams, on 12 Nov 1929 in Montgomery Co., TennesseeG, with Rev. J. H. Lacy officiating.^7,8,9
     Donald and Finley appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at 226 Castle G, enumerated 7 Apr 1930, reporting that they owned a home valued at $4,000, and owned a radio.²⁷
     Donald and his siblings decided to transfer the trusteeship of the estate inherited from their parents to their brother Julien, which was done 17 Aug 1932.²⁸ On 16 Nov 1932 they transferred the estate to the newly incorporated firm of F. P. Gracey and Brother, Inc., with Julien as president. Each of them received 125 shares in the new corporation.^29,30 The firm of F. P. Gracey and Brother, Inc., was sold in Nov 1936, with the new owners saying they would continue to operate under the same firm name with the same employees.³¹
     Donald operated a "loosefloor," where loose leaf (as opposed to bailed) tobacco was stored and auctioned to buyers, in the Gracey Warehouse for many years. He announced he would continue to operate that business there under a long-term lease when the warehouse was sold by the new owners of F. P. Gracey & Bro. in May 1937.^32,33,34 Donald engaged in other businesses as well. In Apr 1936 he announced that he and Mack Bellamy had become agents for the Superfex, an oil-burning refrigerator being marketed to rural households without electricity. The agency was operated in an office on the first floor of the Gracey Warehouse.³⁵ In late 1940 Donald and Mack Bellamy moved their loose floor operation a half block away, to the J. T. Biggers factory building.³⁶
     Donald and Finley appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, G in the household of her mother, reporting that they had lived in the same house in 1935.³⁷
     Donald registered for the draft for World War II on 16 Feb 1942, while living at 122 Glenwood Ave., Clarksville, Montgomery Co., TennesseeG, reporting he was self-employed.³⁸
     He was involved in establishing a burley market in ClarksvilleG in 1947, and served terms as president of the Clarksville Board of Trade and the Clarksville Loose Floor Association.³⁹ He sold the last of his tobacco interests, in the Bright Leaf Warehouse, on 2 Jan 1979, and retired.⁴⁰
     Donald died on 14 Jan 1986 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., TennesseeG, at age 86.^10,11,12 He was buried on 16 Jan 1986 in Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery Co., TennesseeG.^13,14

Howard McLean Perry was born on 14 Apr 1876 in Logan Co., KentuckyG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Hopkinsville, Robertson Co., Tennessee, G in the household of his parents, William Monroe Perry and Marion McLean.¹⁶
     Howard appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at 306 Madison St. G, enumerated 17 Jul 1900, listed as a boarder in the boarding house operated by W. Ella Kinkanon. She, her husband, two children, a brother-in-law, nine boarders, and a servant were listed in the household.¹⁷
     Howard married first Hope Irene Gracey, daughter of Julien Frank Gracey and Minnie Irene Thomas, on 31 Jan 1906 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., TennesseeG.^7,8,9
     Howard and Hope appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, G in the household of Julien Frank Gracey and Minnie Irene Thomas, her parents.¹⁸
     He was a clerk in 1900, whether with F. P. Gracey and Bros. is not known, but likely. In 1908, after the death of Matt Gracey, he became one of three partners in the firm, along with his father-in-law, Julien Frank Gracey, and Gracey Childress. In 1910 he reported is occupation as bookkeeper.^19,20,21
     Howard registered for the draft for World War I on 11 Sep 1918, while living at Greenwood Dr., Clarksville, Montgomery Co., TennesseeG, reporting he was employed as a member of the firm of F. P. Gracey & Brother, general agents for L & N Railroad Co., and manager of Clarksville Warehouse and Transit Co., in Clarksville.³
     He was manager of the transfer department of F. P. Gracey & Brother, and of the Clarksville Warehouse & Transit Company, by 1923.^22,23,24
     Howard and Hope appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at 425 Greenwood Ave. G, enumerated 7 Jan 1920, reporting that they rented their home, which was part of a two-family dwelling. Their daughter Louise was listed as living with them, and her brother Julien was living a few doors away, at 409 Greenwood.²⁵
     Howard and Hope appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at 224 Union St. G, enumerated 18 Apr 1930, reporting that they rented their home for $40 per month, and did not own a radio. Their daughter Louise was listed as living with them.²⁶
     Howard was named executor and an heir in the will of his wife, dated 3 Sep 1930. He was to receive, for his life or until his remarriage, one-third of her property outside of her furniture, china, sliver, etc. He was to use the income from that property but keep the principal intact, to go to their daughter at his death or remarriage. He was also named trustee for their daughter, who received the other two-thirds of the property, until she reached age 30.²⁷
     His wife died on 23 Jun 1931 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., TennesseeG.²⁸
     Howard returned late the evening of 7 Oct 1932 by motor from Hopkinsville, KentuckyG, leaving his car in the Ladd Garage. When taking a revolver from the vehicle he dropped it on the floor and it discharged, the bullet hitting his right knee. He walked to his apartment but then found the injury more significant then he thought. He was taken to the hospital where the wound was declared not serious.²⁹
     Howard sold his one-third interest in the property of the F. P. Gracey and Brother partnership, excluding his share in cash on hand and uncollected storage fees, to the newly incorporated firm of F. P. Gracey and Brother, Inc., on 15 Nov 1932, for $6,000. The next day, as executor of his late wife and trustee of their daughter, he joined her siblings in selling all the real estate they had inherited from their parents, which included their two-thirds interest in the property of the F. P. Gracey and Brother partnership, to the new corporation. They also sold their two-thirds interest in the personal property of the partnership, which included grist and feed mill equipment, trucks, wagons, mules and horses, and office equipment. In return each of them received 125 shares in the new corporation.^30,31
     Howard reserved the right to enter a similar or competitive business when he sold his share in F. P. Gracey & Brother. If he did that business seems to have been short-lived. By 1940 he was retired.³²
     Howard married second Mary Lindley Wilkins, daughter of Walter Wilkins and Willie Lindley, on 24 Nov 1934 in St. John's Episcopal Church, Knoxville, TennesseeG, with Rev. Louis C. Melcher officating.^10,11,12
     Howard and Mary settled Kentucky after their marriage. They appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Kentucky, on La Fayette Road G, enumerated 18 Apr 1940, reporting they owned a home valued at $12,000, and that they had lived in rural Christian Co. in 1935.³³
     Howard died on 9 Jan 1944 in Christian Co., KentuckyG, at age 67.¹³ He was buried on 10 Jan 1944 in Riverside Cemetery, Hopkinsville, Christian Co., KentuckyG.^14,15

Bess Holland was born on 7 Jan 1891 in TexasG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Weatherford, Parker Co., Texas, G in the household of her parents, Gustavus Adolphus Holland and Amanda Genareo Frazier Wynn.¹⁶ She appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Weatherford, Parker Co., Texas, G in the household of her parents.¹⁷
     Bess married first Frank Patten Gracey, son of Julien Frank Gracey and Minnie Irene Thomas, on 6 Jan 1914 in Shelby Co., TennesseeG, with Rev. E. Stirling Gunn officiating.^7,8,9 It appears that Bess and Frank became acquainted through his sister, Elizabeth, who entertained Bess with a new year dance at the courthouse in 1911, with music by the Clarksville Orchestra. How they met is unknown, but perhaps they had met at school. Why the couple married in Memphis is also unknown. Press accounts of their marriage in his hometown described the marriage "as a complete surprise to many friends in this city." While she was mentioned often in the society pages of of the Fort Worth newspapers before her marriage, no mention of their marriage appears there. They settled in Clarksville after the marriage, temporarily at his father's home.^18,19
     Bess's sister-in-law, Elizabeth, held an auction bridge party in her honor in the Gracey's "handsome old colonial home" on 22 Jan 1914. The home was described as "splendidly adapted to entertaining on a large scale," and the event as one of the largest and most beautiful parties of the winter season. There were 16 tables of players and two for other guests. The score prize was a pair of colonial silver candlesticks, and the guest of honor received a cut glass bottle of smelling salts. A "delicious hot luncheon was served with an ice accompaniment" of apricots served with green cherries.²⁰
     Bess and Frank appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at Port Royal Rd. G, enumerated 27 Jan 1920, reporting they owned their farm. His father, Julien Frank Gracey, is listed as living with them, as are two black servants, Alice Johnson, a cook, and Russell McKoin, a farm laborer.²¹
     Bess and Frank were divorced before 1928.¹⁰ She appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Weatherford, Parker Co., Texas, G in the household of her parents.²²
     Bess married second James H. Gilliland about Aug 1938.^11,12,13
     Bess and James appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Parker Co., Texas G, enumerated 3 Apr 1940, reporting they owned a home valued at $2,000, and that they had lived in the same town in 1935.²³
     She was bookkeeper at a bank, presumably the same one her father was president of, after she returned to Weatherford.^24,25
     Her second husband died on 15 Feb 1954 in Weatherford, Parker Co., TexasG.²⁶
     Bess died on 2 Apr 1958 in Weatherford, Parker Co., TexasG, at age 67.¹⁴ She was buried on 4 Apr 1958 in Oakland Cemetery, Weatherford, TexasG.¹⁵