Gracefield was named in honour of the well-liked Irishman Patrick Henry Grace by Alonzo Wright M.P. & grandson of Philemon Wright . Grace was the Mayor in the area from 1885-1890. Wright was a lifelong friend of Patrick and the federal representative from 1867-1891. The political riding was referred to as the County of Ottawa, Canada East. Alonzo Wright had such status he was considered .. the King of the Gatineau ! He named the town Gracefield… at the request of the people, as a tribute to its founder and leading citizen Patrick Grace …Obituary The Ottawa Evening Journal Aug. 25, 1898. However, perhaps Wright was just retaining names of traditional communities such as Gracefield in Ireland ; or nearby Northfield – whose namesake lies in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Grace opened a General Store at 28 years of age during the year of Canada’s Confederation. Typically, the storekeepers would serve in the capacity as town Postmaster – who today still provide an important communication role among residents in rural Canada. Patrick Grace & his extended family would serve faithfully as Postmasters in Gracefield for some 60 years. Patrick from 1870-1890; his cousin Thomas Grace in 1891 ; his wife Mme Grace ( Mary Jane O’Brien ) Postmistress from 1902-1911; and sons-in-law F.W. Perras 1912- 1925; F.B. Merleau from 1925-1931. The Grace Family also donated the land for the train station which aided the extension of the railway line to places like Blue Sea and Maniwaki. Along with other businessmen, Grace would have spent the years previous, lobbying to bring the railway into the Upper Gatineau.
Evidently, any language differences among the pioneer families of French, Irish & Scottish backgrounds were overcome. No doubt their main preoccupation in the new Confederation was surmounting the obstacles to develop and harvest the natural resources of this vast territory; and to make a decent living. Gracefield has an incredible location – which still remains its strength today. It is surrounded by numerous lakes – including four of the largest in the Gatineau – Blue Sea ; Heney ; Pemichangan & 31 Mile. Hence the slogan: Gracefield – the heart of the Gatineau Valley. The forests, mines, farms, hunting & fishing industries in all directions from Gracefield have resulted in generations of store owners being able to survive over the years because of its convenient shopping. The population of about 3,000 swells to 12,000 during the summer months. It’s now more of an international crowd with homecomers and visitors arriving from all parts of today’s small world. My how things have changed from the days of the stagecoach routes up the Gatineau Valley!
Patrick Grace’s prominence as a businessman gained a good reputation for Gracefield from the Ottawa Valley through to the Gatineau Hills. He was one of the first General Merchants in what was then known as the Township of Wright. He operated valuable mica mines in the 1890’s and like many others, prospered from lumbering. Gracefield was his home where he raised his family who attended La Visitation Church and school. His daughters would marry community leaders who became politicians representing the riding of Gatineau : F.W. Perras – federal Member of Parliament in 1925, 1926 ;1930; 1935 until he died while in office June 28, 1936. Perras was first married to Gertrude Grace who died in 1920 ; then to Patricia ( Patsy ) Grace . Another daughter Stella, married J.B. Merleau who was the area’s Deputy in the Quebec Assembly. Both men had served as Mayors in Gracefield. Perras built the largest house in the village as he too had prospered from lumber. Today it houses social service agencies. In the book Maniwaki, by Anastase Roy which is a bible of inventory for activities in the Gatineau to 1933, you will see a photo and Letter of Preface by Fizalam William Perras. The book is available through the Archives of Canada ; and the Maniwaki Library.
Patrick Grace died at age 59, apparently of complications after being struck by a wagon wheel that had come loose. He is buried at La Visitation Cemetery in Gracefield along with his wife Jane O’Brien of Quebec City; their children and F.W. Perras.
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