The Saint Paul globe., 1905-04-17
CITY NEWS
PIONEER CITIZEN
CLAIMED BY DEATH
Thomas Grace, One of the Old
est Residents of City, Dies
Suddenly

Thomas Grace, one of the oldest
pioneers of st. Paul, died suddenly last
night at his home 132 West Fifth
street. He had been in poor health for
some time, though he had been able
to go about the house until his death.
He was SO years old.
Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Grace did
not appear to be in a dangerous con-
dition, and walked about the neigh
borhood. calling on his friends. He
was at the home of G. S. Mccarthy
twice in the afternoon. About o'clock
he was standing on the sidewalk when
Mr.. Mccarthy walked across the street
and spoke to him. They stood and
conversed for some time.
1t was while eating supper about 6
o'clock, that death came to the pioneer.
With him at the table was his grand
daughter, Miss Grace O'Halloran. He
was stricken suddenly. Miss O'Hal-
loran called for aid, and Thomas
Grace son who lives next door, came
quickly. The old pioneer was still
breathing and continued to live for
>Some time.
DR.. Penny Is Called
DR.. L. f. Penny came and admin
istered medical aid, but it was of no
avail. The stricken man died soon
after his friends had been summoned.
Death is ascribed to a general break
ing down of the system.
Thomas Grace was born in Goran, in
Kilkenny county, Ireland, in 1922. He
came to America in 1S47 and to st.
Paul in 1853. He came at once to the
place where he has since made his
home and began the business of a con-
tractor and builder. He had lived in
the place where he died for fifty-two
years.
In the city of st. Paul there are a
number of large buildings erected by
him and which still stand as a monu-
ment to his life's work. Among
them are the Merchants hotel, House
of Hope church, the Gilfillan block, the
First National bank building, the
Minnesota bank building and a num-
Der of other stone buildings along
Third street. Many of these buildings
are to be numbered among the land
marks of the city.
"Honest Tom Grace"
Among his friends in the city the
pioneer was known as Honest Tom
Grace" He had a long career in pub
lie office and held one of them to the
time of his death. He was one of the
citys early aldermen, an office which
he held for twenty years. Mr.. Grace
was also member of the school board
AT one time ana served in this capacity
for several terms, during which time
he put forth his best efforts for the
upbuilding of the public school sys-
tenn. He always took a great interest
in this part of his public work. An
other office which Mr.. Grace held for
the past dozen years was that of a
member of the water board. He held
this office at the time of his death
and took special pride in performing
his duties for the public good.
One son and a granddaughter, be-
sides a brother and a sister, survive
Mr.. Grace. The granddaughter Miss
Grace O'Halloran, had lived with her
grandfather since the death of her
mother, Mrs. Grace OHalloran, sew
eral years ago. She is IS years old.
John Grace, one son, died several
years ago. Thomas Grace of st. Paul
is the surviving son. James Grace and
Mrs. P. H. Butler of st. Paul are
surviving brother and sister, Mrs
Butler has been spending the winter
on the coast
Mr.. Grace was married in 1853 to
Miss Anne Lynch. She died about
twelve years ago.