Robert B. Graham

As printed in 1912

ROBERT B. GRAHAM

There is always a peculiar connection between a man's name and his occupation or the business he is engaged in. Especially is this true when the business has been long established under the same management. For instance, the name of Graham and livery. The "Graham Livery" is so thoroughly identical with the business interests of Iowa City that it is almost impossible to think of one without the association of the other. To think of Graham it is so very natural to immediately think of the livery business, and if one's attention is called to the livery business it is at once associated with the name of Bob Graham. Probably no other man in the county is better or more favorably known than Mr. Graham.

Robert B. Graham was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, August 8, 1845. His parents were Benjamin and Jane (Love) Graham. Benjamin Graham was born in Ireland, and came to America with his parents when three weeks old. He used to remark that "he began life at an early age." The family settled first in Pennsylvania; afterwards moving to Ohio, and on October 1, 1849, the young couple left their Buckeye home and started for Iowa, taking with them young "Bob," age two, and Caroline, then just past four years of age. They landed at Dubuque thirty-one days later. Prior to their arrival in Illinois, the family made a tour of Wisconsin, but not being satisfied with conditions in the Badger state, came to Iowa and stopped for while at Vinton, where they had friends. Thence they came on to Iowa City, arriving in the month of November, 1849. From that time to the present "Bob" Graham has never been outside of Johnson county at any one time longer than three and one-half months. This proves that the county "looked good to him" from the beginning and all the way through.

Benjamin Graham was an influential man in the county in his day, being one of the largest land owners and most public spirited men of his time. Everything relating to the welfare of the county and the betterment of conditions enlisted his cooperation. At the time of his death, April 18, 1882, he owned 1,013 acres of land in Johnson county. Six children were born to Benjamin and Jane Graham, our subject being the oldest. The others are: Caroline S., now Mrs. A. W. Bradley, of Chicago; James K., residing in Iowa City; Annie E., now Mrs. Ed Long, of Cedar Rapids; Josephine and Louise, twins, the former now Mrs. J. F. Hill, of Iowa City, and the latter Mrs. F. J. Long, of Iowa City. Mother Graham died April 1,1904.

After securing a good fundamental education in the country schools, our subject engaged in farming in Scott township, and continued therein until 1883. In that year be moved to Iowa City. In 1885, however, he returned to the farm, where he remained for fourteen years. November 9, 1899, be bought the livery and stock business where he was located until March 6, 1912, 217-221 East Washington street. His son, Harry L., is now associated with him in the business under the firm name of Graham & Son.

On December 14, 1871, Mr. Graham was married to Miss Nancy A. Pringey, a native of Virginia, who came to Iowa with her parents when a child. The Pringeys settled in Muscatine county, where the mother died in 1868. The father died November 25, 1911, at the age of ninety-three. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have five children: Luella, residing at home; Harry L., in business with his father; Albert B., associated with C. R. Owen in the C. 0. D. laundry in Iowa City; Leroy, a student in the Dental Department S. IT. I; Laura Elsie, living at home, graduate of the Iowa City Commercial college.

Our subject is liberal as to local jDolitics and republican on national issues. He is a Knight Templar and a member of the B. P. O. E. of Iowa City. Mrs. Graham and daughter Luella are members of the Eastern Star.

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.