M. D. L. Gracey came to Palo Pinto County, with his family in 1890 from Dallas County and built a home at 712 Southwest 5th Avenue in Mineral Wells and the home is still in use.  Mr. Gracey died in that home in 1918.  He was county commissioner when the Brazos River bridge on highway 180 was built and his was one of the names on the plate it held.

Mr. Gracey's daughter, Lucy, married Claude Hightower June 14, 1899.  Mr. Hightower was born 5 miles southeast of Mineral Wells June 16, 1877.  He served as tax collector of Palo Pinto County two terms beginning in 1906.  They were members of the Methodist church.  Mr. Hightower died in Mineral Wells September 12, 1954, and Mrs. Hightower died April 15, 1948.

They had three children, Rayford Hightower and Gracey Hightower of Mineral Wells and Ima Hightower (Mrs. Delmo) Johnson of Dallas.  Other descendants are two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.