Grace, Frederic Jumel; Iberville Parish; now East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Submitted by Mike Miller




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Grace, Frederic Jumel, register of the state land office at 
Baton Rouge, is one of the best-known and most popular men of 
the state.  Mr. Grace was brn at Plaquemne, Iberville parish, 
La. May 9, 1870, and is a member of one of the most influential 
families of that parish.  His parents were Thomas E. and 
Elizabeth Camilla (Laughlin) Grace.  His father was born in 1835, 
in the state of New York, and when a boy came with his parents 
to Louisiana.  The family resided for a short time in Jackson, 
East Feliciana parish, and then removed to Plaquemine.  Thomas E. 
Grace was educated at Notre Dame university, South Bend, Ind., 
and then studied law.  He devoted the active years of his life to 
the practice of law in Plaquemine, and died there, in 1883, at 
the age of 48 years.  He married Elizabeth Camilla Laughlin, who 
was born on ''Grand River plantation,'' Iberville parish, La.  
Her father was a native of Ireland, her mother came of Revolutionary 
stock, she being the daughter of a patriot who fell at the battle 
of Brandywine.  Unto Thomas E. and Elizabeth Camilla (Laughlin) 
Grace the following children were born:  Thomas E., who hecame 
a lawyer and died at the age of 31 years;  Joseph A., now clerk 
Iberville parish courts and president of the Iberville Bank & 
Trust Co.;  Dr. William L., a prominent physician of Plaquemine;  
Charles E., a well-known real estate dealer of Plaquemine;  
Frederic J., the immediate subject of this sketch;  Augustine K., 
an active fire and life insurance agent of Plaquemine;  Rev. Michael 
A., a Jesuit priest and prominent educator, now president of St. 
Charles college, at Grand Coteau, which college celebrated recently 
its 75th anniversary or diamond jubilee;  Henry G., who died aged 
20 years;  Albert L., a well-known lawyer of Plaquemine, and 2 
daughters, namely,  Mary (Mrs. Miles E. Davidson of Plaquemine) 
and  Ruth (Mrs. Patrick Barry, also of Plaquemine).  Fred J. Grace 
was reared at Plaquemine and educated there in private schools 
and at St. Charles college, which institution, in 1912, conferred 
upon him the degree of LL. D.  For 7 years after completing his 
education, Mr. Grace was engaged in sugar planting.  Then, for 
10 years, he was a traveling salesman for mill supplies.  In 
1908 Mr. Grace received the Democratic nomination for the important 
position of register of the state land office, and at the following 
election received a handsome majority.  As a testimonial to his 
efficient services in this office he was, in 1912, again elected 
to the office for a term of 4 years.  Since Mr. Grace has been 
register of the state land office he has radically improved the 
service rendered in this important state office.  When, on account 
of the considerably reduced acreage of United States land in 
Louisiana, the several United States land offices in the state were 
to be consolidated, several cities were considered as locations for 
the office, and a heated contest ensued.  When the United States 
surveyor 's office at New Orleans was closed, valuable maps and 
documents in its charge were sent to Baton Rouge, and placed in 
the custody of the state land office, and since this had been 
done and owing to the fact that all state affairs in regard to 
the land office were looked after at and from Baton Rouge, all 
maps, plat and field notes were held there, Mr. Grace took the 
position that the United States land office should he at Baton 
Rouge, and to him is largely due the fact that Baton Rouge was 
selected as the location for the United States land office, 
which has since been maintained there.  In 1898 Mr. Grace married 
Miss May Dardenne, a daughter of John L. Dardenne, who was, for 
several years, clerk of court of Iberville parish.  Mr. and Mrs. 
Grace have 3 daughters and 1 son, namely,  Lucille May,  Myrthe 
Elizabeth,  Frederic J., Jr., and  Aline.  Mr. Grace belongs to 
several fraternal orders and among men is deservedly popular.  
He has forged his way to success by means of integrity, industry, 
energy and fair dealing with his fellowmen.

Source:  Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, 
Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic 
Form (volume 3), pp. 184-185.  Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  
Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.