Graham, John

The following data is extracted from Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties, Oregon.

JOHN GRAHAM. - The well known gentleman, whose name initiates this paragraph is both a reprsentative business man and farmer of Union county, his estate being four and one-half miles east from Elgin, where he has made a comfortable showing, while also he has dealt in real estate in this section and others, manifesting a keen judgment and practical ability that have won success.

On May 24, 1853, John Graham was born in Davis county, Iowa, being the son of Jackson and Martha Graham, who were among the brave and devoted band of pioneers that crossed the dreary plains and brought civilization and light to these wild regions. Eighteen hundred and sixty-four was the date of their advent into Walla Walla county, Washington, where they took up land from the state and engaged in farming. A decade later they removed to Union county and there were occupied with the agricultural art until the time for retirment from activity came and they now rest in Elgin. Our subject remained with his father until the age of twenty-two had been attained and then independent action was inaugurated. He first took unsurveyed land, later selling it and removing onto a pre-emption, where he farmed for two years and then sold that also. Eighteen hundred and seventy-nine was the year when he removed to Garfield county, Washington, tilling the soil there until 1881, when he came back to Union county, purchasing a farm of two hundred acres from the state, east from Elgin, and there for three years, he was engaged in farming and stock raising. From this time forward for a season he bought and sold different places finally settling on his present place of two hundred acres, east from Elgin. He is one of the producers of the fruits of the field, and he is also occupied in rasing stock, being attended with abundant success in his endeavors, in early days, he spent much time in freighting from Umatilla to Baker and Union counties.

Mr. Graham, married Miss Anna, daughter of Abraham and Amanda Fine, in Weiser, Idaho, on December 12, 1877, and they have been blessed with eight children: Hurley E., Maud, Scott, Wayne, Bertha, Glenn, Bessie and Ernest. Mr. Graham is a member of the Masons, Lodge No. 98, of Elgin. Mrs. Graham is a native of Missouri, being born April 10, 1863, and her parents came to this county from that state in 1874 and joined the agricultural population here. They had retired from active life and were living in Elgin at the time when the angel of death summoned them hence, the mother dying May 23, 1892, and the father January 17, 1897, and their remains are buried in the cemetery at Summerville, Mr. Graham is a man of sterling qualities and has manifested uprightness and integrity during all his long and faithful work here and the result is that he is highly esteemed and he is the recipient of the confidence of his fellows.

Source: Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties, Oregon

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