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Rural Iowa schoolteacher and active community member.

Grace Laird was born January 5, 1891 to two schoolteachers, Wallace (1855-1942) and Laura Rayburn Laird (1861-1939). Grace and her brother Paul, born October 6, 1893, were educated entirely in their homes in Carson, Iowa, Chillicothe, Missouri and Jackson Township, Iowa. After passing the teacher's examination and receiving the Uniform School Certificate at the age of 17, Grace followed in her parents' example and began teaching in various rural Iowa schools in St. Charles, New Virginia, and St. Mary, Iowa. After teaching for eight years, Grace enrolled in the Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa), receiving her diploma in 1920. Both before and after receiving her degree, Grace taught at many area schools, most notably in Martensdale, St. Mary's, St. Charles and New Virginia. She garnered experience in nearly every grade level from kindergarten through high school, also serving briefly as the principal of St. Mary's High School. Due to Grace's longevity and varied experience as a teacher, she made connections with many students throughout Iowa, who kept in contact through correspondence, pictures and visits, which Grace meticulously documented in her guestbook. Grace maintained perhaps her strongest relationship with Bernard J. Brommel, her former 7th grade student who eventually became a teacher, college professor and author of "Eugene V. Debs: Spokesman for Labor and Socialism." Grace corresponded with Brommel from the time of his schooling in 1958 until her death in 1991, offering him advice on teaching, relationships and parenting. Grace eventually came to see Brommel as her "adopted son," as she never married or had children of her own. Grace also cultivated a friendship with Bernard's mother, Nellie Brommel, and other former students and coworkers. Grace lived with her brother, farmer and bee-keeper Paul, until his death in 1976. After retiring from teaching and moving to an assisted living facility, Grace remained deeply engaged in world affairs, often arguing with Brommel on U.S. and world politics in her correspondence, even at 100 years old. She died October 10, 1991, ten months after her 100th birthday.

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