| Notes |
- REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
MARION COUNTY, OHIO
1907 HISTORY
JACOB FREDERICK GRACELY (GRAESSLE), owner of 159 1/2 acres of productive farm land located in section 6, Richland township, who is now retired from business activity, was born on his present farm December 19, 1848, and is a son of Jacob Frederick and Sophia (Drollinger) Gracely (Graessle)..
Jacob Freiderick Gracely, Sr., was born November 14, 1806 in Ellmendingen, Baden, Germany where he was reared to manhood, after which he came to this country, and bought a farm of 80 acres in Richland township, Marion County, Ohio, which is now a part of our subject's farm. His mother, who a widow, later came to this country also with his brother Bernhart, the sisters all remaining in their native country. Jacob at once erected cabin on his land, which was entirely covered with timber, and for a time used a blanket for a door. He was married to Sophia Drollinger, who was born January 3, 1808 in Ellmendingen, Baden, Germany, coming to America shortly after Jacob located here. Jacob was a carpenter and cabinet-maker by trade and also made coffins. Like a great many other men of that time, he had but little money and often found it necessary to walk to Columbus, Ohio where he would work by the day at his trade. His wife was frequently compelled, while alone, to build a fire in front of the cabin to drive away the wolves. After enduring many trials and hardships, Mr. Gracely finally completed the clearing of his land, and also kept the family, supplied with money by working at his, trade. His son, our subject, has several pieces of furniture which were made by him. Nine children were born to Jacob and his first wife , namely Gertrude, Philip, deceased ; Sophia ; John; William; Christian; Christopher; Jacob Frederick; and David. When Jacob Frederick was eight years, old, his mother died; his father subsequently married Mrs. Regina (Miller) Bower, a widow of Croft Bower and a native of Germany, She was the mother of several children by her first marriage, of whom the following are still living: Philip, Ernestine and Croft. After their marriage, Mr. Gracely and his second wife moved to Big Island township, where they spent the remainder of their days.
Jacob F. Gracely was reared and has always lived on his present farm, with the exception of a short time when he worked upon another farm. His education was such as could be obtained in the little log schoolhouse into which the wind and snow often blew, through the cracks between the logs; but with the aid of a good big stove they managed to keep warm and learned to read and write. He attended school for about two month, every year until he was 20 years old, and in the meantime assisted with the work on the farm.
Mr. Gracely was married April 15, 1873, to Matilda Bloom, a native of Adams County, Ohio and a daughter of John and Christina (Young) Bloom, natives of Germany, who came to America and located in Adams County, Ohio. Four children were born to our subject and his wife, namely Hattie, married William Guthery and has two children Susan Matilda and Bernice Anna; Iva, who married Robert Roszman and has one child, Theodore Gracely, who is named after President Roosevelt; Earl, unmarried, who lives at home and operates the farm; and Florence, who also lives at home. Mr. Gracely was for many years one of the largest stock-raisers and general farmers in his township, and at one time dealt extensively in horses; he was obliged to retire from business activity, however, on account of rheumatism and while still residing on the farm rents the place to his son Earl. The house which the family occupy was among the first frame house to be built in this section of the country. The large barn was erected in 1899.
Mr. Gracely, is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and holds the offices of trustee and steward. He was for some time superintendent and class leader of the Sunday-school. Rev. William Nast, who founded the German Methodist Episcopal Church in Ohio, used to come here on horseback every four weeks from Cincinnati, to hold divine services, also making many other stops throughout the State. Mr. Gracely served for some time as school director. He is a Democrat politically, but is liberal in his views and gives his support to the best man for the office; he has voted the Prohibition ticket. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum.
Frederick J Gracely
in the 1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Frederick J Gracely
Age: 51
Birth Date: Dec 1848
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1900: Richland, Marion, Ohio
Sheet Number: 8
Number of Dwelling in Order of Visitation: 178
Family Number: 186
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Matilda M Gracely
Marriage Year: 1873
Years Married: 27
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Occupation: Farmer
Months not employed: 0
Can Read: Yes
Can Write: Yes
Can Speak English: Yes
House Owned or Rented: O
Home Free or Mortgaged: F
Farm or House: F
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Frederick J Gracely 51
Matilda M Gracely 45
Hattie D Gracely 26
Earl S Gracely 20
Florence E Gracely 15
Mary Bloom 51
Jacob Gracely
in the 1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Jacob Gracely
Age: 54
Birth Year: abt 1806
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Baden
Home in 1860: Richland, Marion, Ohio
Post Office: Marion
Dwelling Number: 268
Family Number: 262
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members:
Name Age
Jacob Gracely 54
Regana Gracely 38
John Gracely 21
William Gracely 19
Christian Gracely 16
Christopher Gracely 13
Frederick Gracely 11
John Kensler 64
Louisa Kensler 55
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1848 - 1916 (67 years)
