Born on September 15, 1839, in Mason County, Kentucky, on the plantation of Benjamin Gratz, Lawson Daniel Gratz worked as a farmer for his owner before the Civil War. His owner directed him to enlist in the Federal army on July 24, 1864, at Lexington, Kentucky. His enlistment papers show that he had received some education, as they bore his own signature. After enlisting, he went to Camp Nelson, where Black soldiers were stationed, and was soon promoted to first sergeant of Company C in the 114th U.S. Colored Infantry. He served with the 114th at the Siege of Petersburg and Richmond and was present at Appomattox Courthouse when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered. Discharged in May 1865, he reenlisted in August 1867 in the 10th U.S. Calvary, known as the Buffalo Soldiers. While assigned to maintain order in Indian Territory, he was injured by exploding gunpowder and lost the sight in his right eye. Despite the injury, he refused a discharge and completed his enlistment. After his five-year enlistment, he moved to Texas and went to Fort Griffin, where he worked as a civilian teamster hauling buffalo hides to markets in Weatherford and Dallas. On September 27, 1877, at Fort Griffin in Albany, Shackelford County, he married sixteen-year-old Rosa Dedman, the daughter of a former slave and his co-worker. Their marriage lasted 32 years and produced 14 children. In 1892, the Gratz family moved from Shackelford County to Annetta in Parker County and bought a small farm. Gratz died on June 18, 1909, and was remembered for his strong leadership and devotion to duty.