Grace Hall Stratton was born in 1878 and was the adopted daughter of Wesley and Mary Jeanette Stratton. Seen here in her 1895 graduation picture from Caribou High School, she enjoyed Shakespeare, algebra and "skeeing." Asked if she was engaged she replied, "No, Sir." Her career goal was to become a milliner.

Pursuing her chosen career, Grace studied millinery style in Boston from 1895 to 1897. Returning to Caribou, she worked at Mrs. E.M. Hines Millinery in Washburn.

She also sang at community events and performed in a local production of Gilbert and Sullivan's, "H.M.S. Pinafore" in 1898.

She later ran a kindergarten in a former storehouse in 1900. In 1904 she returned to Boston to further her studies in art and design and worked for many years doing fine needle work and restoration of valuable tapestries at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.