Graham, William H.

GRAHAM, TUCKER, SMITH, OLDS, LAMPHIRE, LITTLE, TEALE, TURNER, SPURR, BALDWIN, FOX, BENSON, BEARD

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 6/30/2019 at 09:02:24

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, (Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), pp. 519-20:

"WILLIAM H. GRAHAM, proprietor of the Graham house, Lamoni, Iowa, was born in Stephenson County, Illinois, January 2, 1842, a son of Theodore and Letha (Tucker) Graham, natives of Ohio. His parents were married in Stephenson County, but soon after the birth of William H., their eldest child, moved to Jo Daviess County, where the rest of their ten children were born. Their other children are -- Eliza, wife of James R. Smith, of New Buda Township; Lydia, wife of Kingsley Olds, of La Fayette County, Wisconsin; George E. and Benjamin, of Decatur County; Viola, wife of Elmer Lamphire, of Mitchell County, Kansas; Martha, wife of Warren Little, of Harrison County; Lucinda, who married Thomas Teale, and Dora, wife of Robert Turner, are deceased. The mother was taken from her family by death, and the father married a second time. In 1882 while on a visit to Nebraska, he was suddenly prostrated by sickness, and telegraphed for his son, William, who reached him in time to minister to his wants a few moments before his death. William H. Graham was reared to a farmer's life, but since reaching manhood has followed many occupations. From 1869 till 1873, he was mail contractor on the route from Warren, Illinois, to Monroe, Wisconsin, and subsequently dealt in stock, buying and shipping to market. He made his home in Illinois until February, 1882, when he moved to Lamoni, Iowa. As landlord of the Graham House he is widely known for his genuine hospitality, and his house is a favorite stopping place with the traveling public. In this work he is ably assisted by his wife, who is a most estimable lady, and as hostess makes her house a veritable haven of rest to the weary traveler. Mrs. Graham's maiden name was Melvina Spurr. She was born at Girard, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1832, the only daughter of Milton and Diana (Baldwin) Spurr. Her father died when she was but a year old and her mother afterward married Samuel Fox, and to them were born two children -- Daniel and Ursula. Her mother, and stepfather and brother live in Conneaut, Ohio, and her sister is the wife of W. Benson. Mrs. Graham was first married August 27, 1850, to Chandler Beard, who died at Wilmington, Will County, Illinois August 28, 1853, leaving two sons -- Milton and William. The former is a real-estate agent of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the latter is a railway postal clerk, with home at Ashtabula, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have one child -- Allie, a bright, blooming girl of fourteen years. In politics Mr. Graham is an ardent Republican. During the war he was a staunch supporter of Lincoln's administration, and only his own ill health added to the needs of his parents, deterred him from taking up arms in defense of his country's honor. All his brothers, save Benjamin, who was too young, were gallant soldiers on the side of the Union."

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)