Short Biography of William R. Graham

WILLIAM R. GRAHAM, Cedar Falls, Iowa, was born October 13, 1842, at the head of Seneca Lake, in what is now Schuyler County, New York, a son of Alexander and Abigail Graham, who were also natives of New York State, the latter being a daughter of General Martin Keep. When a boy he went with his parents to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he enlisted in May, 1861, in the Sixth Wisconsin Infantry, and in the following November he enlisted in Company E, Third Wisconsin Cavalry, comprising a part of the army of the frontier. He was principally engaged in scouting and reconnoitering in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Texas and Indian Territory. He participated in the battle of Prairie Grove and a number of other engagements. He enlisted as a private, but was subsequently promoted to Lieutenant, having command of Company G, and served in this position till he received his discharge in the spring of 1864, when he returned to his home in Janesville. In his youth he attended the Janesville High School, completing his education at the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, and graduating from that institution in the class of 1867. In 1870 he was admitted to the Wisconsin State bar, but has never followed the legal profession for any length of time. For a time he was a member of the firm of S.I. Russell & Co., manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds at Chicago, Illinois. He has been a resident of Cedar Falls, Iowa, since 1876, and for several years after coming here was interested with his father in a merchant flouring mill. In 1882 a company was formed for the manufacture of paper at Cedar Falls, of which company Mr. Graham was chosen president and manager, continuing as such till January, 1886, when he disposed of his interests. Mr. Graham was married September 24, 1867, to Miss Martha Hawkins, daughter of Hon. Olney and Mary Hawkins, of Ann Arbor, Michigan. They have three children — Mary G., Alexander and Augustus. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, the Legion of Honor and Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he is at present grand master of the Loyal Grand Lodge. He also belongs to the Grand Army Post at Cedar Falls. Politically he is a Republican.

Source: "History of Black Hawk County, Iowa and representative citizens" ⁷⁹⁷