A farmer residing on section 35 of Farmington Township, is numbered among the oldest native-born citizens of the county, having been born APR 1, 1833, IN Farmington Township. His father, Amasa Grace, was a native of Maine, and followed the avocation of a farmer. As eary as 1827 he removed to Michigan and located in Farmington Township, Oakland County. While a residence of Maine he married Jane Barton, a native of Ireland. Upon coming to this township they located on section 25, and at once commenced the improvement of their new place, building a log house and cutting down the large forest trees. After remaining there several years the father removed to Novi Township, where he died. He and his good wife, who died in 1870, were buried side by side in Farmington Cemetery.

The parents of our subject had a family of five sons and two daughters, viz.: Joseph, Rachel, William Charles, Jane, Benjamin, our subject, and Theodore. JOseph, Rachel and Jane are deceased. Our subject was reared to manhood in his native place, and his youth was passed in the usual manner of farmers' lads in pioneer countries.

His first schooling was obtained in Farmington, but was necessarily limited. He began to aid in farm work at an early age, and with the assistance of his brother, operated the homestead for some time. He bought the first cheese factory in Farmington, and manufactured cheese for nine years, being at the same time engaged in the mercantile business in the village of Farmington, beginning in 1873 and continuing until 1881, when he sold out.
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Mr. Grrace was married in 1856 to Jane Shaw, a native of New York, born in 1833. Of this union the following children were born: Wallace, who resides in Farmington Township; William M., who died at the age of three months; Two whi died in infancy; Ulysses, a resident of Livonia, Wayne County, Michigan; Joseph, at home with his father; Sarah, Also at home. The mother of these children died Jan. 11, 1884. Mr. Grace belonged to the Grange at one time and was an active member of the order. He was instrumental in building the town hall in Farmington. Politically he is a Democrat, and for eight years was Supervisor of Farmington Township.