My Genealogy Hound

Chauncy Brace, who conducts an undertaking business at Pontiac, and is ex-coroner of Oakland County, was born September 8, 1844, in Wayne County, Michigan, and is a son of Willis and Harriet (Curtis) Brace. The father was born in 1800 in Niagara County, New York, and died in Michigan in 1857 on the farm in Wayne County, where he settled in 1836. The mother was also born in Niagara County, New York, and still resides in Wayne County, at the advanced age of 90 years. Our subject’s two brothers and two sisters all reside in Wayne County and are as follows: Joel, who is engaged in a monument business; Curtis; Mrs. Martha Cory and Mrs. Leaphy Barnes.

Our subject was reared in Wayne County, Michigan, and there attended school. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company E, 9th Reg., Michigan Vol. Inf., and was assigned to the 14th Army Corps in the Army of the West, under General Thomas. Although Mr. Brace participated in many of the most serious battles of the war, he escaped all injury, seeming to have led a charmed life. Even when all his regiment with the exception of four companies was captured, he was fortunate enough to belong to one of the unmolested companies. Bearing a fine record for gallant service, he was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, September 15, 1865.

Upon his return to Wayne County, Mr. Brace entered into the foundry business under the firm name of Brace Brothers, which was continued until 1875. He then began a furniture, marble and undertaking business in partnership, but in 1883 he disposed of all lines except undertaking and has devoted his main attention to this branch. His furniture line he sold to A. C. Adams on Thanksgiving Day, 1902. From 1896 to 1902 he served as coroner of Oakland County. Mr. Brace is interested in a number of business enterprises and is on the directing board of the Standard Vehicle Company, of the Pontiac Body Company and of the Oakland County Savings Bank. In public matters he is an active and enterprising citizen, one who is ever ready to further movements for public improvements and civic development.

In 1864 Mr. Brace was married to Mary Randall, who is a daughter of the late Cyrus Randall, an old pioneer of the county, who died in May, 1898. Six children have been born to this marriage, namely: Frank W., traveling representative of Jenks & Muir of Detroit, who has a wife and daughter and resides in Pontiac; Electa (Mrs. Turner), who has one daughter and resides in Pontiac; R. J., an employee of the Oakland County Savings Bank, in charge of the interest department, who lives in Pontiac; Lucile (Mrs. Chapin), who resides at Benton Harbor, Michigan; Clarence, who is his father’s assistant; and Jamie, clerically engaged in one of the vehicle factories, who resides at home. The comfortable family residence is located at No. 86 Mount Clemens street.

Fraternally Mr. Brace is a Mason, having taken the blue lodge, the chapter and council degrees, and is also an Odd Fellow. He is past commander and has served in all the chairs of Dick Richardson Post, No. 147, G. A. R. The family belong to the Methodist Church.