Julien Frank Gracey1,2,3

ID# 1942, (1858 - 1929)
FatherFrancis Patten Gracey4,5,6 (30 Jun 1834 - 27 Apr 1895)
MotherIrene Cobb4,5,6 (31 Jul 1836 - 31 Mar 1906)

Key Events:

Birth: 22 Sep 1858, Eddyville, Kentucky7,8,9,10
Marriage: 1 May 1884, Blue Lick Springs, Kentucky, Minnie Irene Thomas (2 Oct 1859 - 30 Sep 1919)11,12,13
Death: 6 Apr 1929, Madison St., Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee14,15,16
Burial: 7 Apr 1929, Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee17,18,2
AncestryThe Cobbs of Pawlet, Vermont
The Linah Mims - Rebecca Davis Family

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Julien Frank Gracey was born on 22 Sep 1858 in Eddyville, Kentucky.7,8,9,10
     He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky, in the household of his parents, Frank Gracey and Irene Cobb.19
     With his father away at the war, Julien Frank Gracey moved with his mother to Clarksville, Tennessee, by 15 Nov 1861.20
Julian, Kentucky
photo by author

     He appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, in the household of his parents.21
     Julien was named an heir in the will of his father, dated 2 Sep 1879 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, in which he was to receive on half his estate.22
     He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, in the household of his parents, Frank Gracey and Irene Cobb.23
     Julien was educated in the public schools in Clarksville and later attended the University of the South, at Sewanee, Tennessee.6 He graduated from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, in Jun 1881, with a Bachelor of Laws degree.6
     He established a law practice in Clarksville after his graduation.24
     Julien married Minnie Irene Thomas, daughter of Dr. Edwin Ruthven Wallace Thomas and Fredonia Francesca McGinty, on 1 May 1884 in Blue Lick Springs, Kentucky.11,12,13
     Julien and Minnie settled in Clarksville after their marriage.

Taking Up Railroading --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     He gave up his law practice in 1884 and joined the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company, doing legal work. In 1887 he was appointed superintendent of the Clarksville & Princeton division of that railroad, the line acquired when it purchased the Indiana, Alabama & Texas Railroad, of which his father had been president.25,26,27
     Under his superintendence the line was extended to Princeton, Kentucky. In the process numerous stations were established, with three of them named for the family.28,29
Gracey, Kentucky
photo by author
Gracey, in Christian Co., 7½ miles west of Hopkinsville, was established in 1887, supposedly named for his father. Cobb, in Caldwell Co., 8½ miles southeast of Cobb, was established late the same year. It was apparently named for his mother, or for her brother, Capt. Robert Linah Cobb, who had been Chief Engineer of construction for the line a few years before. Julian, six miles west of Hopkinsville, was established in 1888.
     He became division freight agent, with headquarters at Memphis in 1891.6,30

Returning to the Family Businesses --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     On 1 Sep 1895 he resigned his position with the Railroad to take the place of his father, who had died in April, as general agent in Clarksville, a position he held until his death. He also participated in his father's other businesses, including F. P. Gracey & Brother, a local transfer firm. From 1896 to 1898 he was president of the Gracey-Woodward Iron Company, another business founded by his father. He clearly had other business interests as well. From 1896 to 1909 he was general manager of the Clarksville Street Railway & Light Company. He reported his occupation as capitalist in the 1900 census, apparently reflecting his diverse business interests. He served as a director of the St. Bernard Milling Company in Earlington, Kentucky starting in 1895, and of the Northern Bank of Tennessee starting in 1908, becoming a second vice-president there.31,32,33,34,35
     Julien was one of the leaders in Clarksville in civic and public welfare work, and a regular contributor to charitable causes in Clarksville.5

A Comfortable Life in Clarksville --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

Cobb, Kentucky
photo by author

     Julien built a summer home he called "Redbrook Farm" outside of Clarksville in 1899. In the early 1900's his family was used it to experience "sane, healthy, not too comfortable outdoor living." The girls were reportedly reluctant and insisted on having individual buggies and horses available for trips to the city.36
     Julien and Minnie appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at 611 Madison Street, enumerated 3 Jun 1900. Their children Louise, Hope, Julien, Frank, Elizabeth, Irene and Donald were listed as living with them, as was his mother, Irene Cobb, and Alice Johnson, a 57-year-old black servant.37
     Julien and Minnie appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at 611 Madison Street, enumerated 21 Apr 1910, reporting that they owned their home, mortgage free. Their children Louise, Julien, Frank, Elizabeth, Irene, Donald and Minnie were listed as living with them, as was their married daughter, Hope, and her husband, Howard McLean Perry.38
     His wife died on 30 Sep 1919 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee.39,40
     Julien appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at 611 Madison Street, enumerated 6 Jan 1920, reporting that he owned his home, mortgage free. His children Irene, Donald and Minnie were listed as living with him.41 Julien also appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Montgomery Co., Tennessee, in the household of his son Frank and his wife. It would appear that while Julien still owned the family home where his three youngest children were living, and they considered him as living there, his older son, Frank, considered his father as living with him. It is also possible that his situation had changed in the 21 days between the two enumerations.42

Leaving an Extensive Estate --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Julien died on 6 Apr 1929 in Madison St., Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at age 70, at his home.14,15,16 He was buried on 7 Apr 1929 in Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee.17,18,2
     Julien died intestate (without leaving a will) and letters of administration for his estate were issued to Harry P. Pickering and Laurin B. Askew, after the posted a bond of $200,000 on 18 Apr 1929, with the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co. of Baltiore as surety.43
     An inventory of his estate was prepared for the court on 5 Oct 1929, listing:
Cash in bank and in pocket $6,233   Kingdom of Italy Bonds 2,000
120 shares Atlantic Coast Line 21,480   Studebaker automobile 300
160 shares U.S. Steel Co. 29,760   Warehouse on 2nd St. 22,000
200 shares Louisville & Nashville R.R. 29,000   Lower Grange warehouse 15,000
437 shares North American preferred 22,506   Vacant lot in 6th ward 200
100 shares Standard Oil of New Jersey 5,825   10 lots in 10th ward 1,000
360 shares American Tel & Tel Co. 79,200   80 acre farm 4,000
10 shares Northern Bank of Tennessee 1,000   18 lots in New Town 12th district 900
10 shares Northern Bank Trust Co. 1,000   140 acres in 19th district 1,000
Liberty Loan Bonds 3,500      
     For a total value of $245,904.44
     All Julien's living children, and the daughter of his deceased daughter Hope filed suit against the administrators of his estate, charging they failed to exercise proper diligence. They claimed that the estate included certain stocks, worth about $87,000 when the administrators qualified, and they watched the market go up, then down, and took no action. The stocks were still held after a recovery and second fall in 1930, finally being worth less than $30,000. The suit was filed about 1933 and was finally heard 8 Jan 1936, in Gallatin, Tennessee.45,46
     The court ruled, in an opinion of over 5,000 words, that the administrators were not liable for the claimed $57,000 loss. The court said they were qualified business men who "were caught by the breaks just like some of the best financiers in the United States." However they were found negligent in four other transactions, including buying $3,800 worth of additional U.S. Steel Co. stock, and failing to sell stock in the Northern Bank Trust Co., in which one of them was an executive officer. They were ordered to must pay $12,000 in damages.47
     Both parties appealed. The two administrators had by then died, but their bonding company continued to defend the case. When the case came before the Central Division Appeals court in Nashville in April some justices disqualified themselves because of being involved in related cases. The case was heard by the Western Division in Jackson, Tennessee, on 11 Mar 1937. While the case had drawn press attention until then, the outcome was apparently not interesting enough to merit coverage, and no official record of the case has been found.48

Children:
     Children with Minnie Irene Thomas:

Citations

  1. [S2101] Moore and Foster, Tennessee the Volunteer State, 3:38, shows name as Julien Frank Gracey.
  2. [S3368] Julian F. Gracey grave marker, Greenwood Cemetery.
  3. [S645] Titus, Picturesque Clarksville, pg 403, shows name as Julien Gracey.
  4. [S3123] Julian F. Gracey, Certificate of Death.
  5. [S8848] Julian F. Gracey obituary, Nashville Tennessean.
  6. [S2101] Moore and Foster, Tennessee the Volunteer State, 3:38.
  7. [S3123] Julian F. Gracey, Certificate of Death, shows date, as 22 Sep 1859, and state.
  8. [S3368] Julian F. Gracey grave marker, Greenwood Cemetery, shows year, as 1858.
  9. [S2101] Moore and Foster, Tennessee the Volunteer State, 3:38, shows date. as 23 Sep 1858, town, and state.
  10. [S570] Francis P. Gracey household, 1860 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, shows age 1 and state, as Kentucky.
  11. [S3369] Williams, Cabins to Castles, pg 189, shows month, as Aug, year, town, and state.
  12. [S2101] Moore and Foster, Tennessee the Volunteer State, 3:39, shows date, with month as May.
  13. [S2097] Julien Gracey household, 1900 U.S. Census, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, shows married 17 years.
  14. [S3123] Julian F. Gracey, Certificate of Death, shows date, street, city, county, and state.
  15. [S8848] Julian F. Gracey obituary, Nashville Tennessean, shows died Saturday, at home and address.
  16. [S944] Davis, Folk Finders, citing Burial Records of Tarpley Funeral Home, 335 Franklin St., Clarksville, shows date and city.
  17. [S3123] Julian F. Gracey, Certificate of Death, shows date and cemetery.
  18. [S8848] Julian F. Gracey obituary, Nashville Tennessean, shows Sunday and cemetery.
  19. [S570] Francis P. Gracey household, 1860 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky.
  20. [S3377] Frank P. Gracey, Compiled Service Records, Confederate, Kentucky, letter 15 Nov 1861, F. P. Gracey to Maj. G. B. Cosby.
  21. [S1774] F. P. Gracey household, 1870 U.S. Census, Montgomery Co., Tennessee.
  22. [S8704] Will Books, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, S:600, will of F. P. Gracey, 1 May 1895.
  23. [S1904] F. P. Gracey household, 1880 U.S. Census, Montgomery Co., Tennessee.
  24. [S2101] Moore and Foster, Tennessee the Volunteer State, 3:38, shows his private practice.
  25. [S2101] Moore and Foster, Tennessee the Volunteer State, 3:38, shows his positions with the railroad.
  26. [S645] Titus, Picturesque Clarksville, pg 403, shows occupation as connected with the law department of Louisville & Nashville Railroad at Montgomery, Alabama.
  27. [S8848] Julian F. Gracey obituary, Nashville Tennessean, shows he had been with the Louisville and Nashville for more than 40 years.
  28. [S3425] Rennick, Kentucky Place Names, pp 63, 120, and 156, shows location and date of establishment of each station, and who named for, in the case of Cobb showing "either for the superintendent of the rr or a prosperous and influential family in neighboring Lyon Co." However Julian Gracey was superintendent, and the prominent Cobb's in Lyon county had mostly died or moved away some two decades before.
  29. [S2305] Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, pg 546, shows Robert as Chief Engineer of Construction for Louisville & Nashville after it acquired the Indiana, Alabama, and Texas Railroad.
  30. [S8848] Julian F. Gracey obituary, Nashville Tennessean, shows he was first Memphis division agent.
  31. [S2101] Moore and Foster, Tennessee the Volunteer State, 3:38, shows he resigned to take his father's place as general agent, officer roles in two companies, and a director of two others.
  32. [S8848] Julian F. Gracey obituary, Nashville Tennessean, shows he was general agent for the Louisville & Nashville at Clarksville at his death; was a senior member of F. P. Gracey & Brother; and second vice-president of Northern Bank of Tennessee.
  33. [S2097] Julien Gracey household, 1900 U.S. Census, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, shows occupation as capitalist.
  34. [S2098] Julien F. Gracey household, 1910 U.S. Census, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, shows occupation as freight agent, industry as general RR.
  35. [S2100] Julian F. Gracey household, 1920 U.S. Census, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, shows occupation as warehouse owner.
  36. [S3369] Williams, Cabins to Castles, pg 187.
  37. [S2097] Julien Gracey household, 1900 U.S. Census, Montgomery Co., Tennessee.
  38. [S2098] Julien F. Gracey household, 1910 U.S. Census, Montgomery Co., Tennessee.
  39. [S9828] Minnie Thomas Gracy, Certificate of Death, shows date, city, county, and state.
  40. [S2101] Moore and Foster, Tennessee the Volunteer State, 3:39, shows date.
  41. [S2100] Julian F. Gracey household, 1920 U.S. Census, Montgomery Co., Tennessee.
  42. [S2099] Frank P. Gracey household, 1920 U.S. Census, Montgomery Co., Tennessee.
  43. [S9853] Administrators Bond Books, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, vol 5, no. 652, bond of H. P. Pickering and L. B. Askew, administrators for Julian F. Gracey.
  44. [S9854] Divorce and Probate loose files, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, file Julian F. Gracey Inventory 9 Nov 1929 3, inventory.
  45. [S9855] "Gracey Heirs Bring Suit Over Estate," Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, 9 Jan 1936.
  46. [S9857] "Gracey Suit Up Tomorrow," Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, 10 Mar 1937, shows suit originated about four years before.
  47. [S9856] "Court Rules in Gracey Lawsuit," Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, 18 Jan 1936.
  48. [S9857] "Gracey Suit Up Tomorrow," Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, 10 Mar 1937.
  49. [S3381] Hope Gracey Perry, Certificate of Death.
  50. [S9874] Frank Patton Gracey obituary, Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.
  51. [S9905] Elizabeth Gracey West obituary, Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.
  52. [S9906] "Miss Gracey -- Mr. Outlaw," Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, 23 Feb 1920.
  53. [S8843] Minnie Diana Thomas Gracey, Delayed Certificate of Birth.