F H Graves

GRAVES

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/12/2010 at 12:52:37

F H Graves of Madrid is to be numbered among the successful bankers of Iowa, having been a valuable factor in the upbuilding of the Farmers Savings Bank of Madrid, of which he now serves as cashier. The high reputation of solidity which this institution enjoys is largely due to the circumspect efforts of its able manager, Mr Graves. He was born in Belle Point, Douglas township, Boone county, July 2, 1867. His parents were Henry M and Caroline (Hull) Graves, the former born in Clay county, Indiana April 1, 1840, and the latter a native of Missouri.The Graves family were amoung the pioneers of Booone county, and the father is yet residing in Madrid. The mother, however, died in that town in 1904. She came with her paretns to this county by the overland route when but six months of age, in 1846, the family settling at Belle Point. There were no railroads at that time and the stage station was at their place. around them still stretched unbroken prairie in all directions. The marriage of Mr and Mrs Graves took place in this county, and they became the parents of four children, of whom two are living. F H of this review and H C also residing in Madrid.
F H Graves was reared in Boone county and in the acquirement of his fundemtnal education attended the common schools. He subsequently improved his opportuities by attending the Iowa State College at Ames, from which he was graduated in 1887. His business activities have been confined to Boone county with the exception of one yea, .during which he was engaged in commercial pursuits in Des Moines. For eleven years Mr Graves conducted a drug store in Madrid and earned during that time the reputation of being an up to date, successful, aggressive and honest business man. In 1901 he was chosen assistant cashier of the Madrid State Bank and in 1908 upon the reorganization of the Farmers Savings Bank of Madrid, he became its cashier. He occupies that postion at present and has proven himself a shrewd, able and progressive banker. He thoroughly understand the world's mart of finance and readily makes use of those legitimate opportunies which present themselves in order to further the interests of his institution. He is a man of rare executive abiltiy, yet he has the capacity of handling a lot of detail and is ever ready to embrace suggestions which might prove of value to the growth of the bank. However, Mr Graves is very conservative in regard to he investment of the funds of the bank and is exceedingly careful of his depositor's interests. On tth other hand, he is ever ready to extend credit to new industry and enterprise if he can be convined of the solid foundation of such new ventures. In that manner he has contributed to the growth of his city by means of his bank. His gift of keen observation and his understanding of human nature are also valuable factors in his success. The bank of which he is now at the head was organized in 1904 as a private firm by Schooler & Son of Des Moines. The captial and surplus amounts to thirty thousand dollars at present, and their field extends to all departments of general banking.
In 1888, Mr Graves married Miss Frederica Schaal, who was born in Polk county, Iowa July 19, 1868. there she attended the common schools and grew to womanhood. She taught school in Polk county and afterward attended the Iowa State College. Her parents, Adam and Miriam (Leighty) Schaal, were honored pioneers of Polk county, where they settled in 1851. The father was born in Wurttemberg, Germany and passed away in the county which had been so long his home in December 1912. The mother, a native of Pennsylvania, died while visiting in the state of Colorado. Mr and Mrs Schaal had elevn children: W J of Polk county, Mrs Mary Rogers of Grand Junction, Colorado, F A of Seattle, Washington, Mrs Fredrica Graves, Mrs W C Arie, of San Fransicsco, California, Mrs R M Harvery of Perry, Iowa, D F of Sheldahl, Iowa, C D of Beach, North Dakota, E A of Polk county, R B of Des Moines, Iowa and Mrs Roy Johnson, of Alleman, Iowa. All were born in Polk county.
G H Graves gives is allegiance to the progressive party. He believes in the ideals and ideas of this organization and eagerly advocates their adoption He has been a member of the town council of Madrid, serving with distinction and for one term has held the office of town clerk. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Madrid. Fraternaly Mr Graves is a member of the Star Lodge, No 115, A F & A M and has held all the offices in the same. He also belongs to Tuscan Chapter, R A M of Boone, El Kader Commandery of Boone, and Za-ga-zig Temple, A A O N M S of Des Moines.He is a member of Madrid Lodge No 433 I O O F of Madrid and Camp No 2426 M W A of that city. Mr Graves owns a handsome home where both he and his wife extend warm hearted hospitality to their many firiends. He is considerd one of the most substantial citizens of his community, and it redounds to his credit that he has won a prominent place among his fellowmen through his own efforts. Interested in all measures and movements of public welfare, he has been a great factor for good, and his life's actions have not only brought him individual prosperity but have influenced the growth of his comminity and county.

1914 Boone County History Book