Graham, John

GRAHAM, JEFFREY, DAVIS

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 3/30/2021 at 14:52:42

John Graham, capitalist, of Washington, Iowa, is one among the few pioneers of Washington County who yet remain. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Washington County April 22, 1806. Samuel Graham, the father of our subject, was born in Chester County, Pa., and at a very early day settled in Washington, driving a five horse team at the time of his settlement farther west than had ever before been done by a white man. In the heavy timber of that section he cleared a farm, and in due time was married to Rachel Jeffrey, a native of Washington County. Three children were born unto them, one of whom, a daughter, died at seven years of age. Two grew to be adults, and are yet living: Mary, who married Thomas Hodgins, and is now living in Washington County, Pa.; and John, the subject of this sketch the mother died in 1812, when John was but six years of age, and his father subsequently married Hannah Way, by whom he had three children, who are yet living. Samuel Graham died in 1850, at a good old age.

John Graham comes of Revolutionary Stock, his grandfathers Graham and Jeffery having been soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Reared in the wilds of Western Pennsylvania, at a time when it was but thinly settled, and but little better than a wilderness, the advantages for improvement were not the best. As soon as physically able, he was acquainted with hard work, and that familiarity, it may well be said, has clung to him through life. A few short terms of school in the old log school-house, with it puncheon floor, greased paper window lights, and old fashioned fireplace, comprised it all. Free schools in those days were unknown, and money was too scarce to hire first-class instructors for the youth of that section, and if one advanced in school to the “simple rule of three,” he was doing well; if to the “double rule of three,” he was considered a bright scholar, and an excellent future was predicted for him.

As the years went by stories of the great country of the Mississippi Valley, with a soil and climate unsurpassed, were told to those Eastern people, and the subject of this sketch, among others determined to emigrate and see for himself. Accordingly, in 1838, he came out, attended the land sales at Burlington, and purchased a half section of land in Van Buren County, Iowa, and noting the location of his land, he returned to Pennsylvania, where he had been and was still engaged in wool-growing, in which he was quite successful. In 1839, he came to Washington County, and visited James Dawson, whom he had met in Van Buren County the previous year. While here he purchased a claim of 400 acres of a man by the name of Holcomb, in what is now Brighton Township, of which land he is yet the owner. After purchasing this claim he went to Van Buren County, where he erected a small cabin of peeled hickory, on the land purchased at the Burlington land sales. This land he improved, and then began to purchase other tracts of land as he secured the means and as a favorable opportunity was offered him for investment. In his native State he had acquired a reputation for honesty and strict integrity, and was therefore enabled to borrow all the money he needed or could profitably use in buying land. He continued to buy and sell for many years, and at one time was the owner of 15,000 acres, much of which has since been sold, but he yet owns over 2,000 in Washington County.

Mr. Graham became a citizen of this county in 1870, where he has since continued to reside. In the fall of 1874, he went to Ohio, and on the 29th of September of that year, was united in marriage with Miss Bell Davis, a daughter of William Davis. She was a native of Ohio, born in Belmont County. Three children were born to them: John, who died in 1878; William Henry, now aged eight years, and Samuel Hodgins, aged three years. Mrs. Graham passed to the other life Oct. 20, 1886. Her death was a sad blow to the husband and children. She was a woman of excellent habits, a dutiful wife and good mother. In early life she was a Baptist in her Church relations, but on coming to Washington she became identified with the United Presbyterian Church. No one was more universally respected, and to her memory her husband has placed over her grave a fine monument, erected at the cost of $ 1,000. She is now at rest, but on the other shore is “waiting, only waiting,” for the loved ones who yet remain. On her death, her bereaved husband had printed a number of “In Memory” cards for distribution among friends, on which was printed the following:
“Loving friends, weep not for me;
I long to be at rest.
How happy, happy I shall be,
When pillowed on my Savior’s breast.”
“I’was sad to see thee breathe thy last,
But Jesus lovingly said Come!”
Now they sufferings are all past,
And thy sweet spirit rests at home.

“Oh! the hope, the hope is sweet,
That we soon in heaven my meet,
There we all shall happy be,
Rest, from pain and sorrow free.”

John Graham commenced life a poor man, but by industry and economy he has accumulated a large fortune. Strictly honest in all things, he has ever had the confidence of his fellow citizens. While of a somewhat conservative nature, when he is convinced that any enterprise is for the public good he has always been willing to contribute liberally of his means. He gave a handsome sum in aid of the academy at Washington, and also for the fine opera house in Washington which was built in 1884. All in all, the example of John Graham is worthy to be followed by the youth of the land. Excellent portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Graham, together with their babe, are presented in connection with this sketch.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of John Graham, pages 351-352.