Francis Patten Gracey

Narrative:

     Francis Patten Gracey was born on 30 Jun 1834 in Eddyville, Caldwell Co., Kentucky.^8,9,10,11
     He was probably one of the two males age 5 to10 listed in the household of his father, Mathew Lyon Gracey, in the 1840 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., Kentucky.¹⁷
     His mother died on 16 Nov 1847, when Francis was 13 years old.^18,19,20
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of District No. 1, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, in the household of his father.^21,22
     His father died on 2 Jan 1850, when Francis was 15 years old.^18,19,23
     He was almost universally known in his adult life as Frank.^3,25,26
     Frank became a clerk in Hickman, Kentucky in 1850. In 1852 he took the position of clerk on the steamer America, a boat operating between Nashville and New Orleans. He was connected to steamboating in various capacities until the time of his marriage.⁷
     Francis married Irene Cobb, daughter of Dr. Joshua Cobb and Julia Ann Mims, on 10 Nov 1857 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, with Rev. A. Mizell officiating.^12,13,14
     After their marriage, Francis and Irene Cobb settled in Eddyville where he carried on a mercantile and tobacco business, which he continued until he joined the Confederate service.²⁴ They appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky, enumerated 11 Aug 1860, reporting real estate of $600 and personal estate of $895. Their son Julien was listed as living with them, as well as his sister and brother, Ellen and Matthew, and three laborers, one from Ireland and two from Scotland, who appear to have been employees.²⁷

Distinguished Military Service --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Frank enlisted in Capt. H. B. Lyon's Co., 3rd Regiment, Kentucky Volunteers as a 2nd lieutenant, on 16 Jul 1861. The unit mustered in at Camp Boone, Tennessee, because the neutrality of Kentucky forbade the formation of military units in the state. The company soon became Co. F, 3rd Kentucky Infantry.²⁸
     The unit was soon ordered to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where Company F was detailed to take charge of light artillery. It was then known as Capt. H. B. Lyon's Light Artillery Co. Frank was promoted to 1st lieutenant 30 Sep 1861. His wife's cousin, Robert H. Cobb assumed command when Capt. Lyon was promoted later that year. The company was then known as Capt. Cobb's Co., Kentucky Light Artillery.^29,30
     On 15 Nov 1861, while he was stationed in Bowling Green, Kentucky, he obtained leave for two days to go to Clarksville to visit his family there and "make permanent arrangement for their future comfort and protection."³¹
     After Robert was promoted to Major in Apr 1864 Frank was promoted to Captain and became commander of the battery, which continued to be generally known as Cobb's Battery.^32,30 Cobb's Battery took part in all the heavy battles of the Western army. Frank was slightly wounded in several engagements, and seriously wounded at Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. That battle took place from 19 Jun through 2 Jul 1864, with over 67,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or captured.^33,34,35
     The battery returned to the Tennessee River where Captain Gracey's most notable exploit occurred. On 29 Oct 1864 the Federal steamboat Mazeppa, on her maiden voyage and towing a barge, both heavily loaded with "a valuable cargo of quartermaster's and subsistence stores," was making its way from Cincinnati to Johnsonville, Tennessee. Artillery fire disabled the boat, which then went aground on the shore opposite the Confederate positions. No boat being available, Capt. Gracey, using a small log for a float, swam across the river alone and captured the disabled boat. He managed to get it across the river, were it was burned after the cargo was landed.^36,37
     Frank was recommended for promotion to Colonel of Cavalry in Feb 1865 by Gen. Lyon, citing his service "as an Artillery officer in all the great battles in Tennessee Miss and Georgia and as a Cavalry Officer has served with General Forrest in Middle Tennessee and two raids into Kentucky." The recommendation was never acted upon.³⁸
     He was part of the Western army when it was surrendered at Paris, Tennessee, on 14 May 1865. He made his oath of allegiance to the Federal Government on 22 May.^39,40

Settling in Clarksville --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Local lore tells us that after the War Capt. Gracey was prohibited by the terms of his parole after surrender from going north of the Tennessee line (or north of the Ohio River by another account) without special permit of the Secretary of War, so he could not return to his businesses in Eddyville. But, while his parole has not been found, his signature, dated 22 May 1865 and showing his residence as Lyon Co., Kentucky, appears on a "Roll of Prisoners of war, who Voluntarily surrendered themselves, took the Oath of Allegiance, and were allowed to return to their homes."^41,42,43 Whether that was the reason or not, Frank and Irene settled in Clarksville after the War.^44,45
     His brother Matthew joined him there and they established the firm of F. P. Gracey & Brother. In Feb 1866, they established a wharf-boat business on the Cumberland River at the foot of Marion St., the first and for many years only one in Clarksville. Matt was in charge of the office and Capt. Frank the outside business. They dealt in coal, hay, corn, salt, and other products. Their business employed many wagons and drays, and in 1869 they organized the Clarksville Transportation Company, which enabled them to contract with the Louisville & Nashville Railroad to deliver freight being shipped to Clarksville. This ended the former practice requiring merchants to take delivery at the depot and arrange their own cartage. As many as 50 to 60 wagons and drays were used by the firm.^46,45,47
     Frank built the Gracey Warehouse, a large brick building, at the corner of Second and Commerce Sts., in 1878. It was later known as the Queen City Warehouse. He purchased the Grange Warehouse, claimed to be the largest warehouse in the world, in 1884. In 1890 he founded the Gracey-Woodard Iron Furnace on 75 acres in the city of Clarksville. He had interests in coal mining, The Clarksville Water Company, the Clarksville Gas Company, and a street railway.^48,44 He was President of the ambitiously named Indiana, Alabama & Texas Railroad when it's stock was acquired by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in Aug 1888. The line, incorporated in 1882, had constructed its line only from Clarksville part way to Princeton, Kentucky when it was acquired.^49,50
     Frank and Irene appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, enumerated 28 Jun 1870, reporting real estate of $10,000 and personal estate of $6,000. The household also included seven apparent boarders, all but one black, perhaps some as household help. Their son Julien was listed as living with them, as was his brother, Matthew Gracey Jr.⁵¹
     Frank left a will dated 2 Sep 1879 stating he was of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, in which he directed that all his debts be paid, then all his estate of every kind be divided equally between his wife Irene and his only son, Julien. He named his brother Matthew as executor.⁵²
     Frank and Irene appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, enumerated 14 Jun 1880, with three black laborers, one male and two female. Their son Julien was listed as living with them.⁵³
     Francis died on 27 Apr 1895 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, at age 60.^15,16 He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, in his lot.³
     His will was probated on 1 May 1895.⁵²