The “Peace” surname has several possible origins. Its common meanings, “tranquility” or “without strife,” don’t appear to have anything to do with it.

Solomon Peace (1819-1887) seems to be the first ancestor to use the “Peace” spelling. His father, Abraham, went by Piess, and so did his ancestors, back to at least Johann Heinrich Piess (sometimes Piese). Johann is born in Hessen, Halberstadt, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany in 1757, marries in Pennsylvania around 1776, and according to one source at least, is a corporal in the Berks County Revolutionary War Militia, 6th battalion.

Reese Irvin Peace (1878-1958) is on the 1910 Census [location]as a “wood chopper” at a timber camp. Married to Melinda Peace. 1930 census has a difficult-to-read entry identifying his occupation: maybe “Teamster.” [location]

Their son Vernon Ray (1902-1934) by the time of the 1920 Pennsylvania Census is living with his family [location], and also married, although it is not clear to whom, or if he ever divorced (his future partner, Luthersburg-born Esther Mae Muth (1909-1986), is only 10 at this time). He is a coal miner. By the 1930 census, Vernon is living in Granville Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.

Norman Ray Peace is born to Vernon R. Peace and Esther Mae Muth in 1932. A daughter, Irene Peace, soon follows. It’s unclear when or even if Vernon and Esther are married (a 1930 census shows Esther as single).

Vernon Ray Peace dies two years later on September 27, 1934 at 32, and is buried in Saint Luke’s United Church of Christ cemetery on Golden Yoke Rd. in Luthersburg.

Esther marries Claire Sylvester Frantz (1900-1977), a coal miner, by 1940, and blends her small family with his growing one. In the censuses, anyway, Norman and Irene are shown with the Frantz surname.

In September 1948 when Norman is 17, Esther applies for a social program. The form says he was born in the “Mahaffey” borough in Clearfield.

The 1950 census shows a tough situation in household of Clair and Esther Frantz: Norman Frantz (Peace) is 18, and has an older (half) brother Donald Frantz. There are eight other children in the household (Irene is not listed). Clair and eldest son Donald are both employed at the coal mine. Norman’s occupation is also given as a coal miner, and we know from family stories that he did work, but at the time of the 1950 census he is unemployed. He would soon leave Pennsylvania to find work in Western New York, shortly after the birth of Carolyn Lee Peace.