Claude C. Pace, a representative of one of the colonial families of the south, has achieved noteworthy success in the real estate business and occupies a central place on the stage of activity in Paducah. He was born November 25, 1876, in Stewart county, Tennessee, and is of Scotch and Irish lineage. The immigrant ancestor came to America prior to the Revolutionary war and settled in Virginia. The grandfather, Hardy Pace, was born in 1823 and chose for his wife Miss Elizabeth Huskey. They were natives of Tennessee and soon after their marriage came to Kentucky, settling in Calloway county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Hardy Pace hewed a farm out of the wilderness and experienced every phase of frontier existence. He responded to death's summons in 1885 and his wife's demise occurred in 1888.

  They were the parents of Thomas Alva Pace, who was born in 1850 in Cheatham county, Tennessee, where he received his early instruction, and his studies were completed in the public schools of Robertson county, that state. He aided his father in tilling the soil and chose the career of an agriculturist. In early manhood he moved to Stewart county, Tennessee, and there cultivated land until 1889, when he came to Kentucky. For two years he engaged in farming in Calloway county and then turned his attention to mercantile affairs, becoming a dealer in tobacco. He also conducted a grocery store in Murray and was thus engaged for about nine years. In 1900 he went to Arkansas and for eighteen years was manager of a hotel at Hot Springs. He prospered in the undertaking and since 1918 has lived retired, enjoying well earned leisure. He is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church and gives his political support to the democratic party. He married Miss Bettie Lee, who was related to General Robert E. Lee, the distinguished leader of the Confederate forces. Mrs. Pace was born in Stewart county, Tennessee, in 1853 and passed away in Murray, Calloway county, Kentucky, in 1887, when but thirty-four years of age.

  Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Pace. Joseph, the eldest, was graduated from a medical college at Little Rock, Arkansas, and successfully followed his profession in that city until his demise, which occurred in 1917, when he was forty-three years of age. Claude C. is the next in order of birth. His brother, Charles W., studied medicine in Chicago, Illinois, and after his graduation opened an office in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he practiced until his death in 1917, at the age of thirty-four years. B. F. is associated with the S. J. Clarke Publishing Company of Chicago and resides in Memphis, Tennessee. He married Miss Julia Miller, of Coldwater, Mississippi, and they have four children: B. F., Jr., Julian M., John H., and   Thomas J., Eunice, the youngest member of the family, is the wife of M. T. Adams, who is the owner of a valuable farm, situated four miles west of Paducah.

  The rural schools of Calloway county afforded Claude C. Pace his early instruction and he also attended the public schools of Dover, Tennessee. He completed his studies in the high school at Murray, Kentucky, and at the age of nineteen years began his independent career. He engaged in farming in Ballard county, Kentucky, until 1900, when he settled in McCracken county, and bought a tract of land in the vicinity of Massac. Later he engaged in general farming on the Hinkleville road, seven miles west of Paducah, and there remained until 1912, when he embarked in the real estate business at Mayfield, Kentucky. In 1913 he allied his interests with those of Paducah and for five years engaged in the fire and life insurance business. Success attended the undertaking and in 1918 he became a member of the T. A. Miller Land Company, one of the largest and most important organizations of the kind in western Kentucky. Mr. Pace was a valuable asset to the firm, doing much to increase its patronage, and was active in the conduct of the business until January 9, 1920, when he sold his stock in the company. He has since operated in real estate under his own name and maintains a suite of offices in the City National Bank building. He is an expert valuator and an extensive clientele is indicative of the confidence reposed in his wisdom, ability and integrity. He owns much valuable property in Paducah and his residence at No. 2221 Broadway ranks with the finest in the city.

  On the 24th of December, 1899, in McCracken county, Kentucky, Mr. Pace was united in marriage to Miss Mary Overstreet, a daughter of James D. and Ella (Caldwell) Overstreet, both of whom are deceased. The father was an agriculturist and had retired a
few years prior to his death.

  Mr. Pace is a member of Paducah Lodge, No. 217, B. P. O. E.; Paducah Camp, No. 11313, M. W. A.; and Magnum Lodge, No. 21, I. O. O. F. He is affiliated with the First Baptist church and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. In the spring of 1921 he was induced by some of his friends to enter the race for city commissioner and in the primaries ran second in a field of eighteen candidates. He received the nomination August 4, 1921, and in November was elected to the office, receiving next to the largest vote. The city of Paducah was then under a commission form of government, consisting of a mayor and four commissioners who had supervision over the following departments: finance, public property, public safety and public works. Mr. Pace was sworn in on the 7th of January, 1922, and was commissioner of public safety, having charge of the police and fire departments. He acted in that capacity for two years, discharging his duties with thoroughness and fidelity, and established a fine record as a public servant. His breadth of view has enabled him to recognize possibilities not only for his own advancement, but also for his city's development, and his loyalty and public spirit have prompted him to utilize the latter as quickly and as effectively as the former. He is a fine type of the southern gentleman and his courteous manner and dignified bearing are the outward expression of a chivalrous, sympathetic and kindly nature, which has drawn to him a large and ever widening circle of loyal friends.

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