The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-09-15
Death fPeaohy Ridgway arattan.


Died at Ashland, Va, Thursday night, Sept.
9Th, Peachy Ridgway Grattan, in his S1st
year. Mr.. Grattan was the second son Of
Maj. Robert Grattan, of Rockingham, whose
father, John Grattan, native of Ireland early
in life emigrated to this country and settled
near Brooks Gap in Rockingham county Mr..
Grattan's mother was Elizabeth Gilmer,
daughter of Peachy Gilmer, whose quiet home
in the same county on the waters OF the Shen-
andoad we'll deserved its name "Lethe."
"Contentment," the place of Mr.. Grattan's
BIRTH is just at the crossing that the old Win
chester road made ofthe North river, near the
village of Mt. Crawford, and is still in the
hands of the family, being the property OF
Capt. G. G. Grattan, nephew of the deceased.
Mr. Grattan had all the advantages that were
afforded at that early day to prepare him for
the life of usefulness he has since led. He at
tended classical school in his nelghborhood
taught by Mr.. Walter Davis. riding miles
daily Never robust of body, the bent OF his
mind was early turned to intellectual pur-
suits, and he selected at once that profession
which he has SO long illustrated and adorned
Early in life he married Elvira Ferguson, of
Goochand, who still survives him. A numer-
Gus offspring was the result of this union,
only three of whom survive their father. Mr..
Grattan commenced the practice OF his pro-
fession in Harrisonburg, where he remained
for several years. From that place he remov-
ed to Lynchburg, going to Richmond about
1885. Here he devoted himself assiduously to
the study and practice of the law, with what
success, let his sorrowing brethren Ofthe bar
bear testimony In 1910, he was appointed
Reporter to the Supreme Court of Appeals OF
Virginia, to succeed Mr.. Conway Robertson, a
most trying ordeal. How he has succeeded,
his "a volumes of reports will best tell. He
has linked his rame to the history of the State
he so dearly loved and that he gloried to sup
port through good and evil report. During his
long residence in Richmond, he had been often
an active and efficient member of the City
Council and an honored representative in the
Legislature, such being the opinion entertain
ed of him. that an entirely new member, he
was assigned to the Craftsmanship of the f.
nance committee. His kindly heart, clear
head, and known integrity frequently forced
upon him the execution Of fiduciary trusts.
In the discharge of these, he never failed to
win the entire regard and friendship Of his
wards and they looked upon him more as
father than guardian. Though limited in
means, his left hand never knew what his
right hand did in works of charity, and his
hospitable door was ever open to the friends
he numbered largely in all quarters of the
country. Mr. Grattan was member of the
Presbyterian Church, belonging to the Old
Stone Church congregation, which was minis
tered to in his young days by DR.. Specie For
a long time he h as been an Elder in the Grace
Street Church, Richmond, and was largely in
strumental In bringing together in the South
ern States the two factions known as the Old
and New schools. His temper was quick and
long i'll health was q trial to it, but few men
obeyed the bible injunction "be ye angry and
sin not" as faithfully as he. The last of his
family, he has quietly wrapped the drapery OF
an honest and honored life about him and laid
him down to rest, THAT rest which remaineth
for the people of God"