Laura Hennessee's 4th great-grandfather

William Grady

William Grady is my 4th great-grandfather. He was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1817, the son of Irish immigrants. He lived in a number of places including Baltimore, Philadelphia, Virginia, and eventually settling in Montgomery County, Maryland. He was a school teacher in his early adulthood and then became the county surveyor in Maryland. That was an elected position. He also served one term as a Maryland Delegate. 

In 1839, he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was well acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith, Orson and Parley P. Pratt, Lorenzo Snow and others. It is unknown the specifics, but he was not able to emigrate to Zion. He continued to try to live the life as a Latter-day Saint, serving as an Elder, and presiding over a branch. At his death, his obituary (published in the Deseret News in 1906), stated that "notwithstanding he had much opposition to contend with, even in his own family doing all in their power to hinder him in the performance of his duties, he remained true and faithful." 

I certainly don't know William Grady's whole story, but I take great comfort that through his trials and even without support from his family, he continued to remain true and faithful. 

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