Coming to Boynton in 1919, Dr. J. R. Graves has already proven his skill and ability as a physician and surgeon and his practice is assuming large proportions. A native of Arkansas, he was born in Logan county on the 29th of November, 1883, his parents being G. W. and Mary (Suter) Graves, who were also born in that state. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Graves, was a veteran of both the Civil and Mexican wars, having charge of Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, during the latter conflict. He was a charter member of Masonic Lodge, No. 9, at Clarksville, Arkansas, with which he was affiliated for seventy-eight years, and passed away August 8, 1918, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. His son, G. W. Graves, devoted his entire life to farming pursuits and was a resident of Logan county, Arkansas. His death occurred on the 20th of December, 1899, when he had reached the age of forty years, but the mother survives and is still living on the old homestead farm in Logan county.
In the acquirement of an education Dr. Graves attended the grammar and high schools of Paris, Arkansas, and after completing his course followed the profession of teaching for eleven years, proving very successful as an educator. During this period he had devoted his leisure hours to the study of medicine and on the 14th of May, 1914, was graduated from the University of Arkansas with the M. D. degree. He at once entered upon the work of his profession and on the 1st of July of the same year opened an office at Council Hill, Muskogee county, Oklahoma, at the same time conducting a drug store at that place. In 1919 he came to Boynton and has since successfully followed his profession in this city.
He has built up a large practice and is also acting in a professional capacity for the Transcontinental Oil Company and the Francis Vitric Brick Company. He has ever remained a close and discriminating student of his profession and as the years have passed has read broadly. Thus promoting his ability, he has been able to successfully cope with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician, and his professional labors have been followed by excellent results.
On the 16th of April, 1913, Dr. Graves was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Roberts, of Clarksville, Arkansas, and they have become the parents of a son, James Reginald, who was born August 21, 1915. They reside in one of the finest homes in Boynton, and their warm-hearted hospitality is often enjoyed by their many friends.
Dr. and Mrs. Graves are members of the Progressive Christian church, and the principles and candidates of the democratic party receive his stanch support. He is deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of his community, and as clerk of the local school board is doing his utmost to promote educational standards in his locality. In 1922 he was appointed health officer of Boynton and also local surgeon for the Frisco Railroad. Through his membership in the Muskogee County and Oklahoma State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association he keeps in touch with the advancement that is constantly being made along the line of his profession, and fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a prominent member, organizing the local lodge and serving as its first noble grand. His innate talent and acquired ability have brought him to the front in his profession, while his ambition keeps him abreast with the trend of the times in the field of medical and surgical practice.
