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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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WILLIAM DAVIDSON GREASON, the third child of Samuel and Mary (Davidson) Greason, was born Nov. 24, 1846, on the farm in West Pennsboro on which his parents started their married life. In his youth he attended the public schools, and afterward the graded school at Greason taught by Prof. Gillelen, his uncle, until he reached the age of twenty. He then worked for his father on the farm until 1878. On Nov. 22, 1878, he married Margaret Theresa Gracey, Rev. W. L. Wallace, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of Newville, performing the ceremony. Margaret Theresa Gracey was a daughter of Col. William and Rachel (Woodburn) Gracey, of Newton township, and a granddaughter of William and Priscilla (Graham) Gracey, and of Skiles and Margaret (McKeehan) Woodburn. After his marriage Mr. Greason began farming on the home place, upon which he was born and grew to manhood, and here he has always lived.

William D. and Margaret Theresa (Gracey) Greason have six children, viz.: Mary Bell, born Feb. 19, 1880; Nell W., April 22, 1882: Samuel D., Nov. 24, 1883; William Wallace, Sept. 29, 1885; Ruth Mapes, May 5, 1891; and Paul Blair, Sept. 7, 1892. One son, James Clair, died in infancy. Of these children two are married, Mary Bell, who is the wife of Frank Strohm, and now lives at McAllister’s, in West Pennsboro; and Samuel D., who married Nettie Drawbaugh and is now living in Plainfield. The other children are at home, and Nell W. is teacher of a public school in West Pennsboro township. William D. Greason and his family belong to the First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, the church of his parents and of his grandparents.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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