James McGRAW, son of Patrick and Johanna (GENAN) McGRAW, was born in County Clare, Ireland 1855.

Patrick and Johanna (GENAN) McGRAW were natives of Ireland. They grew to maturity in that country, where they married and there two of their children were born. After emigrating to America, the father worked by the day on railroads in Pittsburgh until about 1865, when he removed with his family to Sangamon County, Illinois. There he followed agricultural pursuits until he went to Ringgold county, Iowa, near Beaconsfield. He became the owner of a farm in the northeastern part of that county and continued to cultivate his land until his demise, which occurred in 1888 when he had reached an advanced age. He was a successful farmer and a public-spirited citizen. His political belief was that of the democratic party and both he and his wife were communicants of the Catholic church. She also lived to an old age. There were six brothers and one sister in the family: John, who lives in Fillmore county, Nebraska; Michael, a resident of Creston [Union County], Iowa, who owns a large amount of real estate in Ringgold county; Patrick, who is living in North Platte, Nebraska; Bridget, who is now Sister Mary Amelia, a Sister of Charity of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; James, of this review; Thomas, who is living in Canada; and Martin, a resident of Des Moines [Iowa]. Patrick and Johanna were buried in St. Edwards Cemetery in Afton, Union County, Iowa.

James McGRAW attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. After growing to mature years he was for five years employed as a brakeman on the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Railroad and his brothers have also followed railroading. The greater part of his active life, however, has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. [James McGRAW] met and married [September 10, 1889 before the Reverend Father T. J. MULLEN] to Matilda "Mattie" GROGAN, whose parents were Patrick and Frances (BRIDER) GROGAN. [In the GROGAN family] were two brothers: Dennis, of Ringgold county, who married Alta HOLLENSTEIN [HAUNSTEIN?]; and John, a farmer who resides with his mother and sister Bridget in Ringgold county; and sisters: Mrs. W. B. [Jane] TRAINOR, of Grand River township, this [Decatur] county; Mrs. Michael [Kate] McGRAW, of Creston, Iowa; Mary, Bridget, and Elizabeth, who reside with their mother in Ringgold county. [Upon being widowed, Frances (BRIDER) GROGAN resided in Ringgold county until her death.] [Patrick and Frances GROGAN were] buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, east of Leon [Decatur County, Iowa].

The McGRAWS started their married life in Decatur County, living on the old James McCONNELL place on Sand creek in Richland township, this [Decatur] county. On selling that property he purchased the HAGGERTY place farther northeast in that [Richland] township but at length disposed of that place and in 1902 bought his present farm of two hundred and twenty acres adjoining the town of Westerville [now a ghost town, and where the McGRAWS would spend the remainder of their lives.] The land is in a high state of cultivation and the improvements are excellent. He carries on general farming and stock- raising and, as he is at once practical and progressive, his labors yield him a good financial return.