Commander of the Fifth U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War.
Born in Pennsylvania (1837), attended Oberlin's Preparatory Department and College from 1857 to 1861, when he enlisted with the 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry for two and a half years as private and corporal. In 1863, he was commissioned 1st Lieutenant and apppointed Adjutant of the 5th U.S. Colored Troops. He earned the rank of Captain in 1864 and Major on discharge in 1865. He returned to Oberlin in 1865, taking his B.A. and M.A. in 1870. He made a career in journalism as editor of the Independent, a newspaper in Greenville, Michigan. Grabill died in Greenville April 4, 1912.
From the description of Papers, 1859-1910. (Oberlin College Library). WorldCat record id: 25029779
