Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-03-13

and cordial sympathy won men to him,
and never repealed them, went home to
the better land, Tuesday morning of
last week. For upwards of a year
MIR. Grace he's been gradually suffering
under the weight of an insiduous dis
ease which prcyed upon his splendid
physical powers silently and stealthily,
till finally the citldel of health was be-
sieged and captured, while yet it SEEM
ed apparently impregnable Only a !
month or little longer had the de-
ceased been confined to his house, at
times arising from his bed to enjoy the
comforts of his home, surrounded by
his family, who loved him with devo-
ton rarely met with in the home cir
Gle.
The life OF Mr. Grace has been
rather an eventful one. He was ma
tive of Troy, n. Y, having been born
in that city Jan. %, 1928. At the
age of q years he shipped as a sailor
before the mast upon a whaling voy-
age around the world, from New Bed
ford. Mass. A three years trip
brought him again to his native land,
and as the Mexican war was then
drawing young men towards the from
tier, moved by a restless ambition, he
enlisted, and served year under Gen.
Scott. Subsequently he located in the
beautiful village Cherry Valley, in the
beautiful Mohawk Valley, and was a
man marked for eminent services and
manly daring during that ever mcn Or
able period, when the cholera brought
death to almost every home in the
heart of the Empire state. He resided
for brief period at Utica, n. Y, at
a time when the writer hereof was a
boy, and about this time he became an
Odd Fellow, and also an active mem
Der CT the Sons of Temperance. In
the spring Of 1850 he moved to james,
Vile, this state, and on the 18th of
Oct. of that year, married Mrs. Caro-
line L Whipple. Subsequently he
moved to Grand Rapids and was the
Ghost of the Wood iIotel then stand
ing near the spot now marked by the
OLD Magnolia Hall. After the de-
struction by fire, of the Wood Hotel
he kept for a period the Rock House
near kilbourn, the Little Lake House
and the Pinery House on the great
thoroughfare between Grand Rapids
and New Lisbon before the advent of
railroads. In 60 he become the pro-
prietor of the CIR nd Rapids House,
making very successful landlord and
winning hosts Of friends Subsequent
ly he bought the residence of Mr.. S.
j. Purdy and kept private hotel for
the accommodation Of his many friends
who insisted upon stopping with ''Un-
Gle Robert" as he had come to be
called. Later he was induced to re-
sumo the hotel business at Wausau.
which failed to prove remunerative
and he returned to Grand Rapids to
settle down and finish his life labors
among the friends Of former years.
For many years Sir. Grace and ex-
cellent wife have been somewhat noted
for their ayoirdupois, the twain weigh
ing 500 lbs. In the bright moments
OF the lives of the happy couple, no
more of jolity, good nature and true
born hospitality ever conferred in two
human lives. Their house was ever
welcome spot for friend or foe if per-
chance, they had an enemy, and none
of Gods suffering poor ever went
empty handed away from their door.
In 1868 Mr.. Grace was made a Mas
ter Mason. That he was beloved
member of the organization. and exem-
plary, is attestcd by the feeling of
sorrow which prevailed the order as
the intelligence of his death went forth
to the various lodges all over the state.
His funeral was attended by both
orders, the ceremonies being performed
by the Masonic fraternity. A large
coucourse Of friends followed the re-
mains to the grave, In January last,
the deceased, together with his wife,
united with the Congregational Church
of Grand Rapids reposing their trust
in that Saviour in whose presence we
believe he is standing to-day, rejoicing
in the new life where neither sickness
nor death can ever enter The Rev. !
l.. NJ. Foster officiated at the funeral
which was held at the Methodist
Church. Good bye old friend, for a |
little time.
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS
Preamble and resolutions reported to
and adopted by Grand Rapids Lodge
No. 81 |. o of 0. F.. at its regular
meeting held March 4, 1879: