William B. Grable came from a family of 11 children: 8 sons: Alfred, Daniel, Cyrus, Joseph, John, Samuel jr (died in infancy), William and George and 3 daughters: Mary Eliza, Catharine and Precious Martha Grable. Their father, Samuel M. Grable was a well known architect In Louisville, KY and taught his sons the trade and were able to be part of the growing industry of early Louisville architecture. When the Civil War broke out, soon their family divided. William's oldest brother Alfred, enlisted in the Confederate Army and Cyrus enlisted in the Union, while their brother John elected not to fight and was pardoned by President Lincoln by a letter requested by their mother Rebecca (newspaper article). William and his brothers George, Joseph and Daniel served together for the Union in the Kentucky militia during the War. After the war ended, William and his oldest brother, Alfred resumed architectural schooling and were awarded a trip to Europe and the Holy Lands (passport record, matching family story). William had met his future wife before his trip, Venie, while serving on the Board of the St. Louis Cotillion, in which she attended (cotillion program). Venie served as a school teacher in the St. Louis schools while waiting upon his return. Her father, John Nichols Conn, St. Louis well known hatter, became close friends with William. John Conn had hired William Grable to design and build his 2 story home in Rush Tower, Festus, Jefferson, MO (photo of home and historical article.) William was a contractor and builder for many buildings and homes in and around the city of St. Louis. William was very busy both in St. Louis, MO and Louisville, KY and his name is found in both City directories and family letters traveling by train back and forth between the 2 cities. William's father, Samuel, appointed William to be the executor of his estate and caretaker of Rebecca (William's mother). William actively was involved with his family in Louisville after his father passed away and his mother lived another 22 years beyond his father's death. William married Lavina and they had 5 children. In 1893, William was the contractor and builder for his family home on 4118 Juniata Street, St. Louis, MO. He was known in family letters as an affectionate and caring husband and father. In the last years of his life, William became involved as a bucketshop dealer in the transaction of a stock exchange business, working in a firm in St. Louis City. His son, John Conn Grable followed in his father's footsteps becoming a well known stockbroker. William and his family lived near his brother Joseph Grable and family. (Joseph died 9 days after William) in May 1902. When William died, he was only 61 years old, leaving his wife, Lavina(50), his children Conn(19), Beckeye(16), Stella(12-1/2)and Adah(8-1/2)years old. Lavina experienced several close family losses: she had lost her mother in 1900, her daughter, Genevieve in 1901 and her father in 1908. Their son Conn met Lillian at the 1904 World's Fair and married in 1907. Beckeye, Stella and Adah took care of their mother, Lavina and lived 33 years after her husband's death.
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Rebecca Baker Bridwell Grable Family Bible, Louisville, KY:

William C. B. Grable was born August 16, in the Year of Our Lord 1840, Louisville, Jefferson, KY
Parents: Samuel M. Grable and Rebecca Baker Bridwell
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W.B. Grable and Vinie Conn were married September 12, 1878, St. Louis, MO
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William Grable Family Bible, St. Louis, MO:

William B. Grable born: August 16,1840 Louisville, KY
Parents: Samuel M. Grable and Rebecca Baker Bridwell
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State of MO Marriage License:
Mr. William B. Grable and Miss Venie Conn of St. Louis were married on the 12th day of September 1878 in Christ's Church, St. Louis, MO; witnesses: James L. Walsh and Jennie L. Walsh (Venie's sister)
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MO Death Certificate:
William B. Grable
Age: 61 years, 8 months and 24 days
Died: May 10, 1902
Place: St. Louis, MO
Pneumonia
Burial: St. Marcus Cemetery
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St. Marcus Cemetery records: Buried in Lot 1782, buried May 12, 1902.
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William B. Grable obituary

Grable-On Saturday, May 10, 1902, at 11 a.m. William B. Grable, beloved husband of Venie Grable (nee Conn, and father of Conn, Rebecca, Stella and Ada Grable, after a short illness, aged 62 years. Life Member of Abraham Illinois Lodge, Mason: Knight Templars of Louisville, KY., member of Valley Council, Royal Arcanum, this city. Funeral: Monday, May 12, from family residence, 4118 Juniata street, at 3 p.m. Burial at St. Marcus Cemetery

Obituary published in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, on Sunday, May 11, 1902, Page 31, column 6
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