REV. W. M. GRAHAM
Rev. W. M. Graham was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1834. He is a son of Andrew and Margaret Graham. The former died in Westmoreland county. The latter is now living upon the old homestead. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, and after an academic preparation, entered the junior class at Madison college, Ohio, and graduated from that institution, September 15, 1858. He was married on the same day, to Eliza M. Findley, a native of Antrim, Guernsey county, Ohio, born August 7, 1833. His study preparatory to entering the ministry was done at Allegheny Theological seminary, under the auspices of the United Presbyterian church. He continued studying four years, and in 1861, commenced his ministerial labors. Until he came west, his attention was devoted almost entirely to the ministry. He came to Cass county in February, 1867, and bought the farm he now owns and occupies. It is located in section 11, of Bear Grove, and contains one hundred and twenty acres of finely improved land. On account of failing health, he has been obliged of late years to abandon preaching. Since coming to this county he has given much time to his chosen work, preaching three years at Adair. Mr. and Mrs. Graham are the parents of four children, two now living--Samuel F., born November 19, 1864, now at home, and Andrew Ross, born October 6, 1870. Mr. Graham has served as town trustee, school director and assessor. Andrew H. Graham, brother of Rev. W. M. Graham, and his wife, Rose B. Graham, came to Cass county in 1870, and settled where they now live in section 2, Bear Grove. They have eleven children--Andrew L., George M., Florence M., Robert F., James I., Harry M., Margaret, Amy M., Gertrude, Genevieve and Helen. Mr. Graham has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres.
Contributed by Lisa Varnes-Rex from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 730-731.
