The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Connecticut, of New England ancestry, and tilled the soil there, where he spent his entire life. His son David was the father of our subject and grew to manhood in Connecticut. When he had arrived at maturity, he married Miss Mima Stebbins, also a native of Connecticut, and of the same ancestry as her husband. After the birth of six children in Connecticut, our subject being the youngest, the parents went to New York State, and settled in Tioga County. This was when Norman was about two years old. The parents moved around considerably in New York State, living in Madison and Chenango Counties, and finally in the latter place the father came to his death by drowning in the Chenango River. He was a farmer by calling, was in the Revolutionary War and fought at the battle of Bunker Hill, and died in his prime when fifty-five years old. The mother lived to come west to Illinois, and died at her son’s home July 4, 1870. She was then seventy-four years old, and the mother of twelve children.

Norman Brace, our subject, was born in Connecticut, June 31, 1814, and reared in New York State. He came to Illinois in 1835, and lived in Peoria for one year, then came to this county and secured a home in Ridott Township. He has since made this township his residence, and now has over 100 acres in his homestead, besides twenty acres of timber.

Mr. Brace was married in Ridott Township to Mary Rippbarger, a native of Germany, but who came to the United States when a child with her parents. Her father died in this township; her mother is yet living aged seventy-two years. Mrs. Brace grew up in this county and lived at home until her marriage. She is the mother of eight children: Two, Emma and Frank, are deceased; Daniel and Orrin reside at home; Arthur is married; Flora Coon resides in Gage County, Neb., on a farm; Ellen and Henry are at home.

Mr. Brace is not a partisan in politics, but usually casts his vote with the Republican party.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 275-76