The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-14

Frank Leslie. Ben Catchings Alphonse Morrow and Professor Acton. The serv- ices were conducted by the Rev. S. R. Lester, assisted by Dr. L. s. Handley, the Rev. J. L. Britain and the Rev. w. T. Andrews. The interment was in Elm Leaf cemetery.
 The death of Dr. Grace removes from our community one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Jefferson county. He was a man of profound learn ing, a Christian minister of great force and usefulness, and teacher who has made his impress on the minds and hearts of many of the most prominent and suc- cessful men and women of this and other states. Dr. Grace was modest in his mein, but a man of strong convictions of right; and one who did not hesitate to present his views through the press and from the pulpit. He served faithfully the youth of his country in the school room. his fellow citizens in the field of journal ism, and held the horoscope of the great future before the waiting, transitory lives of thousands. As a man of literary att tainment few like unto him ever lived in this community. To show something of the esteem In which he was held by the literary world it can here be stated that few years ago a book was published and extensively circulated throughout the United States bearing the title. 'Who Is Who?" This book contained biographical eIra atno 1f fIo An and in the list of those was that of the Rev. Dr. Francis Mitchell Grace, the sub- ject of this brief sketch.
 After completing a course Of study in the preparatory schools of tlis, hls native county, Dr. Grace entered the University of Tennessee, from which institution he graduated with distinction. He joined the Methodist Episcopal church. south, at an early age, and entered the ministry in his young manhood. His first charge was at Newberne. Hale county, Alabama; and it was there he was united In marriage to Miss Mary Borten. Her death occurred after a brief period. His second marriage occurred in this county, Miss Katherine Greene becoming his wife. She was sis ter of Dr. R. S. Greene and of Mrs. Paul Fl. Earle, and was closely related to prominent families in Jefferson. She died about twenty years ago, and in the early sos Miss Ida Hoskins of Tennessee be- preacher and teacher. The latter survives him.
 Dr. Grace, in his ministerial career was pastor of churches in New Orleans, in Mansfield, La. and at other important points.
 In 1S74-75 Dr. Grace was editor of the Weekly Iron Age. projenitor of the Week. ly Age-Herald. He welded a trenchant pen and was ever ready to defend the right and oppose the wrong.
 But perhaps the most effective and useful work of Dr. Grace was in the school room, for there he spent most of his long and busy life. He loved the young, and 1t was ever his pleasure to guide and direct them. For years he taught in the Elyton academy. When Bir- mingham budded forth, giving promise of its present greatness. Dr. Grace came tc this city, and with Professor Connally Col. John T. Terry and others founded the public school system of Birmingham For quite while he was co-principal oi the Powell school, the only building ther used for the entire system. Not a few prominent citizens of Birmingham. who live today in the enjoyment of successful | business life here, were pupils of pr Grace in the Powell school.
 The deceaesed filled successively tn, chair of English in the University O. l Tennessee. the presidency of Hiwasse, college in east Tennessee and professor O. Latin and Greek in the North Alabama | Conference college at Owenton. perform
 ing his last active work in the latter DO | sition.
 | Dr. Grace was contemporary with Mot | ley. Cottrell Andrews and other leading men of the Southern Methodist church all of whom preceded him to the life be | yond.
 | The last ilosophico-theological worl done by pr. Grace was an article on 'Ev
 olution' which appeared In the columns | of the Age-Herald two weeks ago today | That article was characteristic of tn man. It was the utterance of deel
 thought, of diligent research and of
 mind richly endowed with intellectua | power. FRANK V. EVANS.