George Graham

As printed in 1906

GEORGE GRAHAM is a retired old settler living at Berrien Springs with an income derived from five hundred acres of valuable farming property. He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1826. His father, John Graham, a native of Pennsylvania, spent his entire life in that state. He was a merchant and also owned a stage line between Philadelphia and Pittsburg in early days before railroad travel. He died in his native state in his forty-fourth year. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Kimmel, and was also a native of Pennsylvania, was accidentally killed in Berrien county, when she had reached the age of seventy-six years. There were seven children in the family, of whom Goerge Graham is the eldest. His residence in this county dates from 1843, arriving here when a young man of seventeen years. He remained for three years and being pleased with the county, its productiveness and its business opportunities he then returned to Pennsylvania and brought to his new home his mother, two brothers and two sisters, making the journey with teams across the country. They located on a farm in Oronoko township and a part of the land which they owned is now comprised within the corporation limits of Berrien Springs. Mr. Graham cleared and cultivated the fields and was engaged in general farming until 1879, when he erected his present residence in Berrien Springs, where he has since made his home. As the years passed by he carefully directed his farming operations and his business capacity and enterprise were indicated by the excellent success which attended his efforts. He owns now about five hundred acres of land, a large portion of which is in Berrien Springs and all adjoining the village. From this he derives an excellent income so that he is enabled to enjoy the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He has been a resident of the same township for sixty-three years and was closely identified with the early history of the county, aiding in the advancement of those measures and movements which have for their object the welfare and upbuilding of this part of the state.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

> > curring May 3, 1902. The deepest regret was felt throughout the community at her loss, for she was a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind. By this marriage seven children have been born: William H.; Harry K.; Julia, the deceased wife of Samuel H. Kelly, of Benton Harbor; Addie, the wife of T. L. Wilkinson of St. Joseph and Berrien Springs, being a member of the firm of Dix & Wilkinson; and three, who died in childhood.

Since his retirement from the farm Mr. Graham has engaged in loaning money and this also adds materially to his income. He started out in life a poor boy and began working by the month as a farm hand. The first year he received only his board in compensation for his services and the second year he was paid six dollars per month in addition to his board. He has accumulated all that he possesses through his own industry and thrift and is today a prosperous citizen. In early manhood he voted for General Zachary Taylor and for John C. Fremont. He was a Whig prior to the organization of the Republican party, since which time he has been one of its stalwart supporters. He cast two ballots for Abraham Lincoln, and voted for each presidential nominee of the party since that time, and in 1904 he met with the Fremont voters in Jackson at the semicentennial anniversary of the organization of the Republican party there. He has held local offices, including that of president of the village. He is well known in the county where he has lived so long and in public affairs he has taken an active and helpful part. He has now reached the age of four score years and is a venerable citizen, respected and honored by all who know him by reason of what he has accomplished and the honorable methods he has followed. His life record should serve as a source of inspiration and help to others, being a practical proof of what may be done in the business world through industry, guided by sound judgment and supplemented by integrity.

As printed in A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.