Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 550
JOHN GRAHAM

While the honored subject of this biographical sketch has not been a resident of Harrison County, Iowa for very many years, yet within the period in which he has dwelt therein, he has made himself known to his fellow citizens as a man of wholesome nature, of active mind, and broad sympathies; and he is, therefore, well entitled to the trust and confidence which are reposed in him by all who know him.

John GRAHAM was born on May 27, 1861, in Glencoe, Canada, a son of Donald GRAHAM, who was born in September of 1826 in Argyleshire, Scotland. Donald GRAHAM was brought to Canada by his parents when the family emigrated in 1831. They first touched the shores of the new world at Tyrconnell, and three years later the family moved to Lot 23 in the third concession of Ekfried. There the boyhood days of Donald GRAHAM were passed, and in early manhood he was joined in matrimony with Elizabeth DOBIE, born at Fredericton, New Brunswick, on Christmas Day, 1830, and was brought by her parents, together with ten brothers and sisters, to Ekfried township in 1833, the family settling on what is now known as the George ALLEN farm, on the banks of the river Thames. Donald GRAHAM and wife were united in marriage on March 9, 1852, and took up their residence on the river Thames in Ekfried, where they lived until 1870 and then spent the succeeding four years on a farm north of Glencoe. In 1874 they came to this state, remaining here for 12 years, and in 1892 returned to Glencoe, where they built a comfortable house known as "Argyle Cottage" where they passed the remainder of their lives, both dying within one week, her death occurring March 13, 1914, and his on March 19 of the same year.

On Saturday, March 9, 1912, Mr. and Mrs. Donald GRAHAM celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Over 300 friends and relatives called at their home that day to extend congratulations. Always excellent company, this remarkable couple were never more entertaining than on that happy occasion. Those who called were entertained with reminiscences of pioneer days spent with companions, most all of whom had gone to join the great majority. Mr. GRAHAM always took an active interest in political affairs and was elected reeve of Glencoe in 1900. He previously had served as councilor for four years. He assisted in constructing many of the original township roads, intersection that on the line between Mosa and Ekfried, Canada, which was originally only a blazed trail. The marriage ceremony of Mr. and Mrs. GRAHAM was the first to be celebrated in the first church built in Ekfried township. The funeral of Mrs. GRAHAM took place on March 16, 1914, and that of Mr. GRAHAM on March 21 of the same year, services for both being held in the Glencoe Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of 12 children, 9 of whom are still living: Mrs. Niel MCCALLUM of Michigan; Mrs. MCKENNION of London; Captain W. G. of Saint Catherines; Duncan of West Lorne; Mrs. JAMS of Komoka; Mrs. PATTERSON of Council Bluffs, Iowa; John, the immediate subject of this sketch, of Missouri Valley, Iowa; George, of Percival, this state; and Donald of the same place.

When a youth, John GRAHAM received the best common school education which the schools of that time offered and was united in Marriage on January 12, 1889, with Harriet RICHARDSON, a sketch of whose life will be found elsewhere within the pages of this book. Mr. GRAHAM first came to this county in 1902 when he secured a tract of land in Cincinnati township, which tract contained 160 acres. He resided in Missouri Valley until 1910, since which time he has lived on the old COX farm, just east of Missouri Valley. He has been considered one of the best farmers of this section since taking up his residence here and carries on general farming, paying particular attention to the proper rotation of his crops. He also raises considerable livestock as a side issue, finding it, as do others, a very remunerative end of the business.

Mr. GRAHAM holds his religious membership in the Presbyterian church, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor, and his fraternal affiliation is held in the ancient order of Free and Accepted Masons through the local lodge at Missouri Valley. In politics, he is a Democrat, although taking no particular interest in affairs political. The family are all well thought of and the home is a delightful place to visit. Mr. and Mrs. GRAHAM are the parents of six children: Edith, wife of W.F. KENNEDY, of Vernon, British Columbia; Lena E., Floyd, Mark and Mitchell remain with the parents, and Robert, the eldest of the family, is dead.

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