HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG1039.AM: William Walter Grayson, 1876-1941
Papers: 1898-1908
Nebraska: Soldier
Size: One folder
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Born in England on April 9, 1876, William Walter Grayson immigrated to Nebraska with his parents, William and Sarah Grayson. Grayson worked as a hostler before enlisting in the U.S. Army on May 10, 1898. He served with the 1st Nebraska Infantry, Co. D, and was credited with firing the first shot of the Philippine American War on February 4, 1899. He was honorably discharged on August 23, 1899. Settling in San Francisco, California, after the war, Grayson married Clara F. Peters on October 15, 1899. He officially received his U.S. Citizenship on December 6, 1900. William and Clara adopted a daughter, Clara Marguerite, in 1909. Grayson worked as a house painter until poor health forced him to retire in 1920. William W. Grayson died at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Hospital on March 20, 1941. He is buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
The collection consists of one folder of miscellaneous papers mostly relating to William W. Grayson’s military service. The collection includes a date book, correspondence, military papers, newspaper clippings, and certificates. The papers date from 1898-1908 and include his marriage certificate and certificate of citizenship.
Note: See the photo component [RG1039.PH] for fifteen images relating to William Grayson’s military service and various family photos. The Nebraska History Museum collections also hold various medals and ribbons from William W. Grayson’s military service.
INVENTORY
Misc. correspondence, certificates, newspaper clippings, etc., 1898-1908
Subject headings:
Grayson, Clara F. (Peters), 1878-
Grayson, William Walter, 1876-1941
Herpolsheimer, Martin L., 1868-
Military service
Philippine American War, 1899-1902
Soldiers — Nebraska
United States. Army. Nebraska Infantry Regiment, 1st. Company D
