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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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William P. Grace, attorney, Pine Bluff, Ark. Among the prominent names that go to make up the strength of the Arkansas bar, that of William P. Grace is looked upon with considerable pride by the people of this locality, not only for his brilliant efforts in his profession, but for his unquestioned integrity and honesty of purpose. His birth occurred in Caldwell County, Ky., November 22, 1822, and he is the son of Preston and Jane (Kilgore) Grace, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. They were married in Caldwell County, Ky., and there passed their entire lives. The father was a brick layer by trade. In their family were six children, only two now living: William P. and Benjamin F. William P. Grace attained his growth and received his education in his native State, having attended Cumberland College at Princeton, Ky. He worked with his father at the brick laying business until twenty-two years of age, when he became desirous of prosecuting his studies, and after working for some time for the required means, attended school for a year at Princeton. He then began the study of law with Livingston Lindsey, was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1847, and finally left the State of his nativity with a view of locating in Florida. Not being satisfied there he returned towards the North and settled at Pine Bluff, where a short time afterward he formed a co-partnership with Robert E. Waters. At the end of eighteen months Mr. Waters retired and Mr. Grace continued alone. In 1852 he was elected prosecuting attorney and served one term, during which time he formed a partnership with Judge John C. Murray, of the circuit court, continuing with him for about three years, when Mr. Murray was again elected judge, and he was once more left alone in his practice until 1860. Being a Henry Clay Whig, he consented to become a candidate for elector for the Whig party, having been elected to the same position in 1856. He was a Douglas candidate in 1860, and stumped all south of the Arkansas River, delivering some of the best speeches of his life. He was elected by Democrats to the secession convention, and was made chairman of the committee on ordinances. He was a very prominent man and used his entire influence for his own party. In 1861 he was appointed as commissary of the military staff of Arkansas, and was at the battle of Oak Hill, after which failing health compelled him to retire from army duties. He then went to Philadelphia and was under a physician’s care for seven months. Upon returning to Pine Bluff he resumed his practice and this he has since continued. In 1880 he was a candidate for the office of Governor, but was not nominated. As a lawyer he has few superiors and is a fluent and eloquent speaker. At one time he owned 15,000 acres of land and now has in his possession about 2,000 acres. Mr. Grace was married first in May, 1853, to Miss Harriet Boyd, who was drowned near Paducah, Ky., in December, 1863. Mr. Grace took for his second wife Mrs. Emily B. Hudson, whom he married in April, 1868, and to them was born one child, now deceased. Mr. Grace is a Royal Arch Mason, and in 1878 he connected himself with the Temperance Alliance, having been president of the Arkansas Temperance Alliance several terms. He has been an active worker in this cause and his influence has been felt among the Anti-Prohibitionists. He is known throughout Arkansas as one of the best criminal lawyers that the State produces, and his success is almost phenomenal in this class. He has defended and prosecuted over fifty cases of homicides, and but one man was hung that he ever defended.

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This family biography is one of 136 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Jefferson County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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