James G. Graham

CLINGENPEEL, GRAHAM, HARRELL, TWIFORD

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/12/2004 at 21:50:54

James G. Graham, a representative and successful agriculturist of Madison county who has resided within its borders for nearly four decades, owns and operates a well improved farm embracing one hundred and three acres on section 17, Lincoln township. His birth occurred in Montgomery county, Indiana, on the 13th of June, 1855, his parents being James and Harriet (Twiford) Graham, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Their marriage was celebrated in the Buckeye state. James Graham was a wool finisher by trade and worked in the woolen mills of Indiana until 1877, when he came with his family to Madison county, Iowa, settling on the farm which is now in the possession of our subject. A log house stood on the property and only slight improvements had been made, but as time passed the place was transformed into a valuable and productive farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. James Graham made their home thereon until they passed away. They had two children, H. C. and James G.

The latter, who was a young man of twenty-two years when he came with his parents to this county, has remained on the home farm in Lincoln township to the present time, the property being now in his possession. General agricultural pursuits have claimed his time and energies throughout his entire business career and in the work of the fields he has won a gratifying and well merited measure of success by reason of his practical, progressive methods and wisely directed industry. He has built a substantial, commodious residence and excellent barn and has long been numbered among the enterprising and prosperous citizens of the community.

Mr. Graham has been twice married. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Clingenpeel and was a native of Indiana, passed away leaving four children, namely: George H., who is deceased; C. T., (Clempton) who is married and resides with his family in Carroll county, Indiana; Emanuel C., who lives with his family in Indiana; and Elizabeth, deceased. For his second wife Mr. Graham chose Miss Cordelia Harrell, a native of Madison county, Iowa, and a daughter of John Harrell, an early settler of this county. To James G. and Cordelia (Harrell) Graham has been born one child, Zeiler, who is at home.

Mr. Graham gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served in the capacity of school director for many years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. He is widely known throughout Madison county as a progressive farmer and public spirited citizen and he commands the confidence and respect of the entire community.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”