F. GRASS, a contractor and builder, corner of Sixth and Mill Streets, Council Bluffs, has been a resident of this city since 1856, having come from Marshall, Calhoun County, Michigan. He was born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, March 18, 1833, the son of David and Phoebe (Cudney) Grass, natives of New York State, the former of Holland and the latter of Puritan descent. Our subject was reared in his native state until his sixteenth year when he went to Orleans County, New York, and with his brother, who accompanied him he learned the carpenter's trade. After two years spent in that state they went to New Orleans; thence to Natchez, Mississippi, remaining two years; then to Cleveland, Ohio also remaining two years; then to Marshall, Michigan where they remained until 1856 when he came to Council Bluffs.

Since that time he has been engaged in contracting and building, buying real estate, improving the same and selling it. He is the oldest living resident that has been engaged wholly in this line of business, and has erected hundreds of houses, and has amassed a handsome competency. He does an annual business of over $20,000.

August 3, 1862 he enlisted in the Second Iowa Battery and served until August 7, 1865. He was engaged in some of the most noted battles: Vicksburg, Nashville, Tupelo, siege of Spanish Fort, and a number of minor engagements. He was never wounded or taken prisoner, and after the war he returned to Council Bluffs and opened his present business. He owns property aside from his own residence, which was remodeled in 1889 and is now a handsome two-story building. He has also taken active interest in political work in the Republican Party.

Mr. Grass was married November 5, 1865 to Mary Covalt, a native of Wheeling, Virginia, born February 14, 1842, and they are the parents of nine children: Alexander, deceased; Dorinda, at home; Frances, deceased; Frederick, at college; Bertha, at home; Nettie, Sadie, Robert and Fannie. The family is associated with the Congregational Church.

Contributed by: Darlene Vergamini