GRAVES, Jacob M. 1822-1897

GRAVES, HORR, SWAYER, SPRAGUE

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 2/25/2012 at 11:17:26

Death of Jacob M. Graves

Jacob M. Graves, one of the pioneer settlers of this section, died at his home in the city on Friday, Nov. 12, 1897, aged 75 years and 6 months. He had been sick but a short time.

The funeral was held on Sunday Nov. 14th. Rev. S. E. Wilcox of the Baptist church preaching the sermon from the text Exxl. 8:8, "There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of death, and there is no discharge in that war." The attendance was the largest held in the Baptist church for years.

Jacob M. Graves was born June 6, 1822 in Onedia county, New York. He was the tenth child of a family of fourteen, six of whom are still living.

He was married October 1st, 1848, at Youngstown N.Y. to Emily L. Horr, who survives him. In 1856 they moved to Mitchell county, locating at what is now Riceville; moving to Osage three years later, where they have resided almost continuously since that time engaging in the shoe business, both manufacturing and selling. Four children were born to them Clarence who died in infancy; Charles L. who is now of Minneapolis, Alice who married Mr. E. L. Swayer one of our honored townsmen, and who died in 1895; and Hattie H., who is the wife of Mr. M. A. Sprague formerly of Osage, now of Minneapolis.

"Father" Graves enlisted with the 27th Iowa, Company K. Aug. 15th 1862, and remained til the close of the war. His son Charles L., then but 13 years of age went along and served til the close of the war too, in the same company, under Capt. C. T. Granger. That this family comes of patriotic, fighting stock is evidenced by the fact that the genealogy shows among the fathers a line of partiots who fought for liberty and independence. A grandfather of the deceased was an officer in the Continental Army of the United States. Among the valued mementoes of the family is a part of a letter written by him in a firm hand; each letter is a clear and legible black although the paper upon which it is written is full brown with age. So interesting is this piece of paper that we reproduce the words the odd spelling and all for the benefit of our readers. Here it is:

Ticonderoga March 19, 1777
"About 2 o'clock in the afternoon, we set out from home and arrived at Sabbathday Point, at six of clock at night with 23 men, where we met with Thomas Mann and John Cobban, who had taken up lodging there that night. We all camped there, not thinking of any enemy to interrupt. We cept no guard, neither had we our firearms loaded-only 3 of them, which were discharged at the enemy tho to no purpus, for there was nothing but powder in them. Sum run,and sum fought; however, we had 5 men cilled and one wounded by two balls in ye throat. Theire captain was one Macoy who told us that we were surrounded by a large number of Indians, and that if we would surrender, we sould have good quarter. Being under no adavantage to fight, we surrendered, whereat first were tied 2 and 2 and marcht about 100 rods, there they joined another party with 3 prisoners, one Samuel Admas, John Pers, one Tupper. Samuel Adams they let go the next day but one. Then they marcht ino ye woods, then they untied us and tied us singly, all but myself for that day. At night all untied.
The writer of this letter was Joseph Graves, grandfather of the deceased. The letter was originally written on two sheets of paper of which this is the first. Father Graves stated that the substance of the last sheet was a description of their patrol.

Jacob M. Graves united with the Baptist church of Osage in 1870. He has been a faithful member and true christian. He was a loyal citizen, a devoted husband, a kind father and all who knew him honor his memory. By his death Osage loses one of her honored landmarks. The breaved widow and family have the sincere sympathy of hosts of friends.

Osage Sun
November 17, 1897