Grace was born in Dubuque, Iowa. 1882; as Grace Irene Young She was born to parents Joseph H. Young and Elizabeth Wilkinson Grace had a sister named Ivey; who was 4 years her senior.
-She is NOT RELATED to Alexander R. Young (1859-1897) or; Elizabeth (Mary) Young (Patterson) (1860-1954)- also of Dubuque, IA.
The small family lived on The Missouri River; and her Dad built and rented boats there. He was from Iowa; her mom; Elizabeth from Wisconsin. Both Elizabeth and Joseph's parents were all from Pennsylvania. Grace often said she 'grew up on the river'...
However; at the age of thirteen Grace was adopted by an unmarried Dentist, named Frank Van Waters* in Seattle, WA. What became of her birth parents; and her older sister; Ivey is a mystery. Unknown also is how she came from Iowa, to live in Seattle; and was allowed to become adopted by a single man at age 13(?!) * See footnotes.
Grace married 4 times. At age 16 she wed: Ira Orton Davis. Grace and Ira were the parents of 2 boys. First born was Ira Orton Davis Jr; born in Yakima, WA. He went by the name of "Budd." He was born; April 8, 1899. Elmer Ellsworth Davis; their second son was born about 18 months later; on November 23, 1900; above a parsonage; in Downtown Seattle, WA. Elmer was named after his father's favorite Uncle; his mother's brother, Elmer; who in turn had been named for "Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth" (1837-1861 A popular namesake at the time) Who was the first known mortal casuality on the Union side, of the Civil War.
Before young Elmer was a year old, Grace and Ira had parted ways. Grace felt raising the two boys alone was too difficult for her. Ira Jr. stayed with her and Elmer was put up for adoption. After living sometime in an orphanage; with such awful conditions that he vividly remembered it; and spoke of it even at an advanced age. He was adopted at about 18 months old.
(Jo)Belle Franklin Blaine and were his new parents. The couple changed his name to Cecil Ralph Blaine. He went by the name of Ralph. This arrangement; was like what is known today as an "Open Adoption."
Her third son was born in 1903, out of wedlock. His name; Ballard Marcus Richardson. He went by the name of "Buss." His father: Marcus Henry Richardson. They never married.
Her second marriage was to; J. H. Sypher; on April 8th, 1909 in Tacoma, WA. She was widowed and had no children were born of that relationship.
Her third marriage was to George Edgar Richardson the younger brother of her third child's father: Marcus Richardson They were married in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, on March 3, 1914. They had no children together.
Her fourth marriage was to Roy Emerson Young, born about: 1880 in Michigan, USA. The couple married in Seattle, Washington on Christmas Eve, 1916. His occupation was Electrician. Four years after they married; (Grace was 38, and Roy was 40.) the couple adopted a baby girl. She was named; Maralee Irene. Maralee was born in 1920. The family resided in Seattle, WA. on the West side of Green Lake.
Grace was civic minded. She was involved in the Seattle Arts scene. She often hosted garden club; and musical events at her residence. Many many weddings were held in her lovely lakeside home.
Grace was an active participant in the the Seattle Parent Teacher Association and a member of the Democratic Party. In later years Grace and Roy owned ( with her son Buss;) and operated local Tavern in the Green Lake neighborhood. They also raised Boston Terriers.
Grace passed away in Seattle, WA. in 1958. / Washington State Digital Archives
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*Dr. Frank Van Waters was arrested and convicted for the repeated rape of a 10 year old Girl: Irene Brown and her friend; both of Seattle. There were others; too according to newspaper accounts of the crimes. He was sentenced to 25 years hard labor in The Washington State penitentiary at: Walla Walla. He was pardoned by the State Governor after only 4 years.
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