Graham, Emanuel C. 1847-1917

GRAHAM, FRANKS, DEE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 6/25/2011 at 10:19:34

The Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) June 15, 1917

OBITUARY

EMANUEL C. GRAHAM

At the funeral of Emanuel C. Graham in Tama recently, the officiating clergyman, Rev. W.C. Cleworth, presented the following sketch of his life:

Emanuel C. Graham, who died at his home in Tama, Wednesday evening, June 6, was born at Clearfield, Pa., March 16, 1847. He came with his parents to Iowa in 1863, landing in Sheridan township, Poweshiek county, on the 5th of June.

On the 29th of November, 1871, he was united in marriage with Sarah A. Franks. They commenced housekeeping in the granary on the groom's farm and lived for several months in that primitive style until their house was completed.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Graham, four of whom remain to comfort their mother's heart in her hours of loneliness. They are Mrs. Ida Mae Dee, of Grinnell, Freeman, of Sheridan, Frank, of Grinnell, and Miss Iva, of Tama. Two grandchildren also survive him.

Mr. Graham was a member of Tama lodge of I.O.O.F. and also a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

It is always difficult to express in adequate terms our appreciation of a faithful, honest, honorable Christian life. It is, truly, a great thing to build one's self into a great growing commonwealth and contribute an efficient life to the good and welfare of his generation. Mr. Graham saw thirty years of hard work and steady service on his farm---saw that farm increase in value with the progress of this state, and lived to see his splendid family carrying forward faithfully the work to which he had given his life.

There is a high degree of completeness reached by such a life. He has wrought well and successfully and inspired the following generation to like endeavor.

His desire, often expressed in these last few weeks, was to stay with his family to every member of which he was deeply devoted, but his readiness to go was well expressed in the last words I heard him speak: "Brother Cleworth, I hope to meet you in the better land."

Only one brother, Milton, of Tama, survives the death of Emanuel, his father, mother and sisters having passed on before.

Brother Graham lived a good life, he died a calm and quiet death. He has entered into rest and receives the reward of a faithful soul.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. W.C. Cleworth at the M.E. church of Tama at 10:30, Saturday morning. Afterwards the body was laid to rest in the Sheridan cemetery.

Mr. Graham moved to Tama fifteen years ago the 9th of June, and it is an interesting coincidence that his body was brought for burial to Tama on the fifteenth anniversary of that event.