JAMES GRACE, farmer,
post-office Centretown, is a son of Burchfield and Rebecca (Albin)
Grace. The father was born December 1, 1804, in Worth Township; was a
member of Fairview Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Republican
party, and very temperate in principles. He died in May, 1869. Rebecca
Albin was his first wife, born in 1805, and died in 1858, leaving six
children: John, of Worth Township; Henry L., of Middlesex; William R.,
of Fairview Township; James, our subject; E. C., was a member of
Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was
lieutenant of same company, and was killed at the battle of the
Wilderness; S.C., member of Company G, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserve
Corps, and died in New York after participating in Sherman’s march.
This family were intensely loyal, there being five brothers in the army
at one time, and the eldest John, was drafted, but was let off on
account of having so many brothers there. The second wife of the father
was Mrs. Margaret Henderson, who died in 1882, leaving no children. His
third wife was Mrs. Hannah Laughlin, and by her he had one child, G.
G., now living on the old homestead with his mother. Our subject was
born April 17, 1842, received his education at the township schools,
and has since been engaged in farming. In 1861 he enlisted in Company
G, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves, and served three years; received a
severe wound in his breast at the battle of Gaines Mill. In 1866 he
married Sarah Giebner, daughter of Valentine and Mrs. Annie Albin
(Coleman) Giebner, of this township. By this union they have five
children: Ephraim E., Harry B., Dewitt G., Annie R. and Ruth May; all
at home. Our subject moved onto the present farm in 1868, and has held
the offices of school director and assessor of township. For the last
six years he has been secretary of the school board. He is a member of
Marion Craig Post, G. A. R., and he and family are members of Fairview
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is steward and has been
Sunday-school superintendent for many years. He votes the Republican
ticket, but is for temperance come which way it will.
Source: (History of Mercer County, 1888, pages 1022 - 1023)
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