Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1895-04-30
CAPT. cRAcEY DEAD.
ClarlssviiIc's Leading Citizen and Most
Prominent Business Man.

Capt. Frank p. Gracey, of Clarks-
vile, died of apoplexy Saturday. He
had called at Geo. McDaniePs to see
him about fishing trip. Mr.. Nc
Daniel was absent and after telling
his wife his business he arose to leave,
saying he must have some air. As he
went to the door he sank down upon
the floor. Mrs. Mcdaniel called a
colored man and they put him on the
bed and unfastened his collar, but in
five minutes he was dead. Physicians
were soon at hand and pronounced it
case of apoplexy.
The times gives this sketch of his
life: "Capt. Frank Patton Gracey
was born in Eddyville, KY, June 80,
1884. After completing his education
he began business as clerk in Hick-
man, KY, in 1850, and 1852 he took a
position as clerk on the Steamer
America, operating between Nash
vile and New Orleans. From this
time until 1857 he was in some capac-
ity connected with steamboating.
From 1857 to 1861 he was engaged in
the mercantile business at Eddyville,
and when the war broke out he en-
tered the confederate service as Lieu
tenant of Company F, Third Ken
lucky Infantry. The company was
soon ordered to Bowling Green, KY,
where it was detailed to take charge
of battery of light artillery. Cap
tain Gracey was soon called to the
command of the artillery and his un-
erring Judgment and dauntless
courage gave him a prestige which
won the confidence and love of pri-
vate and officer alike. He was seri-
ously wounded at Kennesaw noun
tain and slightly wounded in several
other engagements. At the close of
the war he came to GAINESVILLE and
settled. He married Miss Irene Cobb
in 1857. Her relatives lived in
GAINESVILLE. His parole forbade his
going north of the Tennessee line
without a special permit from the
secretary of war and hence be came to
GAINESVILLE.
In February 1866 his brother Matt
Gracey came to Clarksvil e also and
they established wharf boat. They
established also a dray system by
which they contracted with the l.. &
N. railroad to deliver all freight
shipped over that line.
He was interested in more matters
of public enterprise perhaps than any
man in GAINESVILLE. He was the owner
Of two large farms near GAINESVILLE.
He was president of the GAINESVILLE
gas works. He was a director in
the Northern bank. He was the exc
cutor of the Bryce Stewart estate.
He was the prime mover in the
Gracey- W oodward Iron Co. He was
at the head of the GAINESVILLE Land
Improvement Co. He was member
of Forbes Bivouac. He was largely
interested in railroad circles.
His death was public calamity to
the city. No event for years has cast
such gloom over the city.
The works which he has done for |
GAINESVILLE are monuments more
lasting than memorial marble. His
record as soldier and a citizen, as a
public benefactor and private individ-
ual is tribute to the ancestry whence
he sprang, and will be the inestima-
BILE pride of his posterity in years to
come.
Capt. Gracey had but one child,
Julien Gracey. He is a young man
of promise and gives evidence of be-
ing the worthy son of such an ances-
try as few men can boast"
The funeral took place Sunday
from the Episcopal church