The N. C. Gragard Family

By Everett Gragard, Jr.

The Gragard name has been closely identified with Jacksonville since the founding of the town.

Nicholas Christian (Grogaard) Gragard was born in Lillesand, Norway, on September 22, 1840. He came with his family to America in 1846, settling in Nacogdoches. The parents died within a year of arrival in Texas, and Nicholas was given a home by a family in Rusk County. He was afforded a good education, part of which included study at Larissa College.

In 1861, Gragard enlisted in Company E, 5th Texas Cavalry, and served the Confederate cause until the surrender in 1865.

He married Isabella Richardson, a daughter of Dr. Peterson T. Richardson in Glenfawn, Rusk County, September 4, 1866. Their children were Thweat R., Edith, Everett, Christian and Merle. The latter two died in early childhood.

In 1872, Mr. Gragard established a general merchandise store in the new town of Jacksonville. An election in April, 1874, selected officers of the newly-incorporated town, and N. C. Gragard was elected the first mayor. However, he only served two months; presumably, it was discovered that he had not become a citizen by naturalization and was not qualified to hold the office. He was active in the shipment of peaches and other produce from this area, and served as minister for several Churches of Christ, particularly the old Independence Church. Mr. and Mrs. Gragard lived in Jacksonville until their deaths, and are buried in City Cemetery. Mrs. Gragard died June 11, 1912. Mr. Gragard died September 7, 1919.

Thweat Richardson Gragard was born December 31, 1868, and married Lena Ricketts of Rusk. No children were born to this union.

Edith Gragard was born April 3, 1871 and married O. A. Lane. They had no children.

Everett Gragard, Sr., was born June 20, 1873, in Jacksonville, in a home located on the present site of Aber Box and Basket Factory. He married Janie Douglas, a daughter of J. L. Douglas. Janie was born October 15, 1878, on Cherokee Street, Jacksonville. Five children were Douglas, Merle Cason, Sr., Nicholas Christian, Everett, Jr., and Anne Haden.

On January 1, 1902, Thweat R. and Everett Gragard, Sr., purchased the stock of W. H. Hodges & Co. and operated a retail hardware store until 1931.

Douglas Gragard was born December 8, 1897, in the family home, corner of Bonner Street and Sunset Avenue. He married Grace Ann Kerr of Rusk. They had no children.

In 1931, with a partner, Allen F. Spraggins, he acquired the stock of Gragard Bros. & Co. Later they branched out into the mortuary field and added another partner, Roy F. Swofford to form the Gragard-Sprag-gins-Swofford Funeral Home and a burial insurance company. This firm continued until the deaths of Spraggins and Swofford and the retirement of Gragard. Douglas died May 15, 1961.

Merle Cason Gragard, Sr., was born September 26, 1900. He has one son, Merle C, Jr., and two grandsons. Merle was associated with the hardware and funeral business until his retirement.

Nicholas Christian Gragard, II, was born April 17, 1903, and died November 26, 1921.

Everett Gragard, Jr., was born March 6, 1906, married Jewell Hen-drix and had no children. He presently is a semi-retired vice-president of Texas Bank & Trust Go.

Anne Haden Gragard was born July 30, 1917, and is married to Burton B. Benson, Sr. She has two sons, one daughter and three grandchildren.

The Gragards have been active in civic and religious affairs of Jacksonville. Thweat for years was active in the First Christian Church and his wife, Lena, was instrumental in organizing Jacksonville Public Library. Gragard Bros. & Co. were among the first stock holders in Cherokee Sanitarium (forerunner of Nan Travis Hospital). The Everett Gragard family has been active in the life of First Presbyterian Church, Douglas and Everett, Jr., being ruling elders of that body.

During World War I, Douglas enlisted in Battery B, 133rd Field Artillery and served in France with the 36th Division. Merle C, Sr., was a member of the 77 th Naval Construction Batallion, and served in the South Pacific, during World War II. His son, Merle, Jr., was an infantryman and saw action in Europe in World War II. Everett, Jr., was a member of the Medical Administrative Corps of the Army during World War II.

The Everett Gragards established their home in 1897 at the corner of Bonner Street and Sunset Avenue and Gragards have lived in the 200 block of Sunset to the present day. Everett, Jr., lives at 212, Mrs. Douglas Gragard at 214, and Merle, Sr., and his wife, Mary, at 224 in the home Everett, Sr., built in 1909.

The Gragard name was in Jacksonville in 1872, and still is here in 1972.

Everett Gragard, Sr., and Janie Douglas Gragard in photos made in New Orleans on their honeymoon.

Edith Gragard, daughter of N. C. and Isabella Gragard, only sister of Everett Gragard, Sr.

Douglas Gragard in his gridiron attire as member of 1915 Jacksonville High football team.

Float entered in 1910 County Fair parade in Jacksonville.