Ed C. Graham

As printed in 1912

ED C. GRAHAM

The Graham family was one of importance as connected with the early history of Johnson county, and for them Graham township received its name. This family was foremost in all measures for public advancement and was representative of the highest interests of the community. It has several worthy representatives in the region today, prominent among whom is Ed. C. Graham, living on Section 25 of Graham 'township, who was born on the farm he now occupies, January 3, 1865, just prior to the close of the Civil War. He is a son of Alexander and Mary E. (Dyarmett) Graham, the father born at Zanesville, Ohio, March 7, 1834, and died in Chicago, Illinois. The father of Alexander was the noble pioneer, Andrew Graham, who died January 19, 1870, at an advanced age, and who was a native of the Emerald Isle. He first arrived in Johnson county in 1849 and located land from the government, but did not settle there permanently until 1854. It was for this emigrant ancestor of the family that the township received its name. He was foremost in the affairs of his community and held many positions of public trust. He was a useful factor in the Methodist church and the local society, organized in 1864, was known as the Graham church, of which he was trustee. His wife died three years prior to his own demise. She was a native of Maryland.

Alexander Graham received a good education in the schools of Zanesville, where he grew to manhood, and in 1850 came to Johnson county with his father, and the two purchased some 900 acres of land from the government, at a price of $1.25 per acre. He returned to Zanesville and there married, April 16, 1854, Mary E. Dyarmett, a native of that place. Soon after marriage the young couple took up their permanent home in Iowa, on the place where the subject of this sketch now resides. He had made several trips to Iowa to look after his land interests and became highly successful in his operations. Seven children were born to him and his wife, of whom the following four now survive: Hattie, the wife of E. 0. Shankland, a member of the Subway Commission, of Chicago; Andrew D., of Chicago; Cora I., and Eddie C. Andrew and Cora are graduates of Cornell college, Mount Vernon, Iowa. Three children died in infancy. The parents of these children were active in the Methodist church at Oasis and the father, who was a republican in politics, held many township offices and served one term as deputy sheriff. He was interested in various financial enterprises and was one of the founders and served as president of West Branch State Bank, lie was active in securing the services of the best teachers in the local schools. His line farm of 400 acres spoke volumes for his thrift, good management, and energy, and his beautiful home, which is modern throughout, is a lasting monument to his pride in his home. The lumber was all killed on the place, material being hauled from Iowa City. He was popular in fraternal circles, being a loyal member of the Masonic order. The good work which is so ably begun has been continued through the efforts of his son Ed, who has the advantage of many late inventions and methods.

Ed. C. Graham received his early education in the district school, and later attended Iowa City Academy and Commercial college. With the exception of eighteen months, which he spent in railroad work, he has made this place his home during his entire life, and takes peculiar pride in his estate. He has made general farming his occupation, but has paid especial attention to cattle feeding, and also has 200 hogs on his place. He has many land interests aside from his home farm, having an interest in three horse ranches in Sully county, South Dakota, a quarter section of wheat land in Brown county, in the same state, and a quartet section in O'Brien county, Iowa. In PHI his corn crop averaged 65 bushels to the acre on forty-eight acres, and he has ever been successful in other lines. He ships from three to six car loads of cattle annually. He purchased the old homestead of 400 acres in 1006, but has since disposed of part of the land. He has made a number of notable improvements, having erected barns and an auto garage. He has a very fine concrete cave, which he constructed himself, which he uses as a vegetable and fruit cellar, and in case of a cyclone he thinks it would be a convenient refuge. In his concrete wash-house he has installed a machine that is run by a gasoline engine. He has procured every convenience possible for his home. He is a natural mechanic, and underneath the ice houses he has constructed a meat room, with a refrigerator which will hold a la rue amount, and which has been found most useful and convenient.

Mr. Graham was united in marriage with Miss Lillian Hemsted, of Graham township, daughter of Samuel II. and Mary

J. ( Haddock) Hemsted, the latter of whom died in the spring of 1879. The grandparents of Mrs. Graham, Frederick and Elizabeth (Akers) Hemsted, came to Johnson county from Ohio in 1844. Mrs. Graham presides over her modern home gracefully and efficiently, and she and her husband gladly welcome their many friends there. She is the mother of four children: Helen and Carl, students in the Iowa City high school; Archer, attending school; Harriet. Mr. Graham is a republican in politics and has been a delegate to the county convention. He is president of the West Branch Telephone Company and his business ability and sagacity are well recognized. Fraternally he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., being a Shriner of Davenport Consistory, and also is affiliated with Camp No. 5059, M. W. A., of Oasis.

As printed in Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa, history (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.