Source: NMHS Newsletter Aug 2000 Grace Quivey Von Studiford Grace Quivey who became Mrs. Von Studiford was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Quivey of North Manchester. The Quiveys were part owners of a general merchandise store in North Manchester. Their five children were Maude, Ralph, Grace, Claude, and Mary. The three daughters of the family were involved with music during most of their lives. Maude attended the Conservatory of Music in Chicago and played in the Thomas orchestra which became known as the Chicago Symphony. She then played organ and piano in the local Methodist Church.         Grace was the one known nationally. In the early 1900s she starred in operas in Chicago, New York and other major cities in the United States and Canada. Notes about her appearances and at least one feature article about her appeared in the New York Times. The following was in the News Journal in 1900: Retires From the Stage Mrs Grace Quivey VanStuddiford Said to Have Resigned from the DeAngelis Opera The following which is taken from Monday's Chicago Record, will be of interest to many people in this city. Mrs. Grace Van Studdiford has surrendered her position as prima donna of the Jefferson DeAngelis Opera company, which served to restore her to professional notice at the beginning of the season, after the retirement consequent upon her marriage. She is doubtless better remembered as Grace Quivey, one of a number of beautiful young women who, with Miss VanDresser and Miss Methot, began their musical careers in Chicago, and have attracted much attention within a wonderfully short period. At the time of Mrs. VanStuddiford's marriage it was said her husband was a very wealthy and aristocratic young man. However, her retirement was brief, and last fall she announced that she would go back to the stage in order to improve her husband's financial condition. The re-entrance upon her interrupted career has not been without its storms. Last week when the DeAngelis company was playing in St. Louis her home town, Mr. DeAngelis' rule forbidding flowers to be handed over the footlights interfered with her and happiness and she resigned.   Grace Studdiford returned to North Manchester not long after her resignation. She lived with Maude in a house on North Mill (later purchased by the Hardmans) and soon was giving voice lessons to students who were pleased to have lessons from such a well-known person. Nothing further is known about her husband but it is believed that he had mis-represented himself and was not the wealthy person he was thought to be. Mrs. Leigh Freed is one of those who remembers going to the house each week for a lesson.   Page Twelve

Source: North Manchester Journal, September 22, 1910

SINGER IS BANKRUPT
Mrs. Grace VanStuddiford Lost Money With Her Own Opera Company.

Information from the east is in effect that Mrs. Grace VanStuddiford has filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy. She gives her liabilities as $20,901.10 with assets of $10, that sum being deposited with the Hudson Trust company at New York. The petition is filed in New York. Her statement shows that she owes John W. Thompson of St. Louis $16,000, secured by a mortgage on two acres of land, buildings and live stock, located in St. Louis county, worth $30,000, and ninety-eight shares of the common stock of the Grace Van Studdiford Amusement company; Reginald DeKoven, $850.25 balance of royalties due on "The Golden Butterfly," and Charles Bradley of Wantaugh, L.I. $420 salary as business manager.

Her financial difficulties seem to have come about since she has been managing her own company. While a success as a singer, always drawing a good salary herself, and attracting good business to the shows she was with, yet it appears that the management and work with the company was more than she could stand, and the financial difficulties were the result. She has never had any trouble getting the best of positions with the best of companies, and will probably continue in the profession with some one of the larger companies.