Graham, George Joseph 1850-1930

GRAHAM, WAITE, GULL, LYTLE, ROSS, JEFFERIS

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 9/13/2015 at 16:27:55

George Graham, after whom the town of Graham was named, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Gull, Sunday, July 13, in his 81st year. His death followed a long period of ill health.

Mr. Graham was born in West Rutland, Vermont, Feb. 2, 1850, and came to Iowa when six years of age, and has made this his home ever since.

A man of unusual intellect, wonderful business ability, a keep opponent in debate, and always enjoying the best of health until his mind began to fail a year ago.

James Graham, a mill-wright of West Rutland, Vt., came to Iowa late in the 40's in search of a mill site. He located on Little Turkey River, a quarter of a mile north of a village of Jefferson (named for Elias Jefferis, who helped lay out the village and operated the grist mill for many years). This village boasted of one store, grist mill, and many hoop pole shops. The people were engaged in wood cutting and clearing land for farms.

In 1856 Joseph Graham, a brother of James, accompanied by his wife [illegible words], and sons Thomas, George and Clarence came from Vermont to join his brother.

A Graham Bros. partnership was formed, which lasted till Solomon Haven came from Illinois and bought the James Graham share. After a few years Haven sold to Joseph Graham and again it was The Graham sawmill. George and Clarence both worked with their father in the mill and when the father died, continued as Graham Bros.

During the early years of the mill the dam was taken out by flood and the mill itself moved down the river a quarter of a mile. The saw used in this mill was an upright saw about five feet long and was called a Mooley.

On Sept. 16, 1875, George Graham was married to Martha Waite of Jefferson. Later, when a post office was established here the postoffice was named Graham.

In 1878 he moved to Dingesville*, where he operated one of the first steam saw mills in this part of the state. While in Dingesville the boiler blew up and caused considerable damage. From there he went to Osterdock and entered into partnership with Luther Merrill in the sawmill business. Merrill soon sold his interest to Graham and he ran the business alone for a while, then Merrill returned and bought the mill and Graham returned to the old home place in 1883.

The flood of 1890 took the mill dam again and then the old mill was replaced by a steam mill.

When Graham was possessed of his right faculties he enjoyed telling of the excellent logs brought to the mill in early days, especially near Dingesville.

George and Clarence dissolved partnership, George taking the sawmill and home farm of 120 acres, and Clarence taking other land. Clarence went to Newport, Ark., where he died a few years ago. Thomas is with a sister, Elizabeth, at Pella, Iowa

In 1874 a lyceum was organized in Jefferson by Thomas, George, Clarence and Lizzie Graham, Cyrus and Inez Craig, James E. Webb and others. For more than 20 years this society met every Friday evening during the winter to debate some leading question and give a program.

In 1905 Graham moved his family to Epworth* that they might have the educational advantages offered by that town. While residing there he was mayor of the town several years. In 1915 they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in Epworth. In 1920 Mrs. Graham died.

His only son, Ross, died in infancy and one daughter, Blanche Lytle, died several years ago. Mrs. Mable [illegible] lives in Grundy Center, Alice Ross at Centerville, Iowa, and his other daughter, Edith Gull with whom he lived near Graham, also one brother and one sister, Thomas and Elizabeth Graham of Pella and ten grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from the M.E. church at Epworth, conducted by Rev. J.B. Bird of Grundy Center. Interment was made at Highview cemetery.

~Clayton County Register, Thursday morning, July 31, 1930

Notes:
Dingesville was located in Mallory twp.
Epworth is in Dubuque county, Iowa