Tombstone Tuesday

George Patrick Grace

Sadly at this point, little is known about the brief life of George Patrick Grace. He was the youngest of five children born to Edward F. Grace and F. Gertrude McKee. Although his death certificate lists his profession as "none," the Memphis city directories show quite the opposite! In as early 1910 - when Patrick was only 10 years old, he's listed as a flagman, we assume for the railroad. In 1913, he worked as a clerk for Herman I. Summerfield, who operated a millinery (hat) and suit shop. The next year, he's listed as a block operator for the Illinois Central Rail Road. Before electric conveniences came into play, train orders and timetables were written by hand and passed down the line by a block operator. Even if all Patrick did was run the message, it's still a big responsibility for a 14 year old! The next few years (1915-1917), Patrick worked as a clerk. In 1918 and 1919 he was a "switch tender" for the ICRR, which must have paid a bit better, as he was able to afford his own room at the Winona Hotel. Finally, in 1920 he began working with his brother George Powell Ferrer and Olin Ferrer at the gas company as a draftsman. Sadly, at the beginning of March, 1923, Patrick contracted Typhoid Fever. He battled symptoms such as fever, headache, cough, bloody nose, delirium, diarrhea, and dehydration until pneumonia developed. He succumbed 20 days later.

1910 child railroad laborers near Aurora, Mo. (photo courtesy historynyc.com)

Personal Data		Tombstone Data
Birth:	2 May 1900	City:	Memphis, TN
Marriage:		Cemetery:	Calvary
Death:	20 March 1923	Section:
		GPS:

George Patrick Grace's death certificate