In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1853
From A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906)
WILLIAM H. GRAHAM, a prominent farmer of Berrien Springs, was born in the house which is still his home his natal day being June 26, 1853. He is the second son and eldest living child of George and Mary (Garrow) Graham, and was reared on the place where he now resides, the days of his boyhood and youth being unmarked by any event of special importance. Having mastered the branches taught in the common schools, he afterward attended Albion College and Notre Dame University, and was thus well equipped by liberal educational advantages for the important duties of an active business career. Returning to Berrien county he continued farming on the old homestead and has long been numbcTed among the representative and prominent agriculturists of this part of the state.
In 1 88 1, Mr. Graham was married to Miss Laura Piatt, a daughter of J. M. and Aurelia Piatt. She was born in Berrien Springs, her father having come to this county from Massachusetts at an early day. He was one of its pioneer residents and engaged in merchandising, conducting a large and important business at Berrien Springs, drawing his trade from many sections of the county. He was closely identified with the early development and progress of this portion of the state and was a leading and influential man, whose business activity and enterprise entitled him to rank with those citizens who were founders of the present prosperity and upbuilding of Berrien county. He died when about fifty years of age. Mrs.
Graham is the second in a family of four children, three daughters and one son, and after acquiring her preliminary education in the common schools here, continued her studies in Massachusetts. There is one son by this marriage, George, who is now engaged in the grocery business in Berrien Springs. Mr. Graham has been a life-long resident of Berrien county and has always followed agricultural pursuits, in which he has found ample opportunity to exercise his native talents and his energy and give scope to his laudable ambition, which is one of his salient characteristics. He is a Republican and takes an active interest in affairs relating to the public good.
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.
The printed record stops around 1906. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.