Graham, Archie 1837-1921

GRAHAM, WILLIAMS, GOODEN, SLAVEN, FERSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 6/25/2011 at 10:35:16

The Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) Dec. 1921

DEATH OF PIONEER

Early Settler Near Searsboro Passed Away at Home of His Daughter at Brooklyn

Archie Graham was born November 10, 1837 in Clearfield, Penn., and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Levi Williams, November 30, 1921, age 84 years, 20 days. His boyhood days were spent at the old home. At the age of twenty, he came to Scott county, Iowa, where he was united in marriage, in Spring of 1859 to Mary Jane Gooden, who departed this life in 1907. To this union were born six sons and three daughters, William Henry passing from this life in 1862. The remaining children are Philip of Long Beach, California, Eli of Grinnell, Maggie Williams of Brooklyn, Mary Slaven of Oklahoma, John C. of Des Moines, Frank of Lynnville, Alex of Searsboro and Martha L. Ferson of Grinnell, all of whom were present at the funeral services but Mary and Philip.

Mr. Graham moved to Poweshiek county about four years after his marriage, locating near Searsboro, and lived there until he lost his wife fourteen years ago. Since then he has made his home with his children.

In early life he gave his heart to God and united with the M.E. Church. Later on in life he joined himself with the Friends Church of Searsboro, of which he was a faithful and consistent member till the time of his death. For the past year he has been in failing health but only for a few days was he confined to the house and bed. During his entire illness he showed that sweet Christian spirit and was never heard to murmur. In his closing life his countenance was radiantly beaming which was beautiful and precious to the dear ones present assuring them of the consolation, "Blessed are the dead, that die in the Lord." "Grandpa," as he was called, will be missed, the home will be lonely, but no place will he be missed more than at the family altar. His work is done. God called and he obeyed. He leaves a host of sorrowing children, one brother 91 years of age, and friends to mourn his loss. Short services were conducted at the home of his daughter, Maggie Williams. The remains were taken to the Friends Church in Lynnville, where the services were conducted by Brother Wood, Pastor, and interment was in the Friends cemetery.