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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 227 - 228 |
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GEORGE S. GRAHAM
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The gentleman whose name introduces this article is one of
the oldest living settlers of Wexford county, and during a continuous residence
of nearly a third of a century his life has been very closely identified with
the growth and development of the section of the country in which his present
home is situated. George S. Graham is a citizen of the United States by
adoption, being a native of Canada, born December 1, 1839, in Simcoe county,
Ontario. His father being a farmer, he was reared in close touch with nature and
early became accustomed to the labors and wholesome experiences which attend
life under such circumstances. Until fifteen years old he lived in the counties
of Simcoe and Holdeman, but at that age came to the county of Perth, where he
remained until changing his residence, in 1871, to Wexford county, Michigan. On
coming to this country Mr. Graham took up a homestead of eighty acres in section
10, Clam Lake township, and at once addressed himself to the task of its
improvement, working early and late to provide a comfortable livelihood for his
family and prepare a home in which to spend his declining years. By
well-directed energy he soon had the greater part of his land in cultivation,
and by judiciously investing his surplus earnings from time to time added to his
real estate until he now has land to the amount of two hundred acres, all finely
situated and well adapted to general farming and fruit raising. As an
agriculturist Mr. Graham easily ranks with the most enterprising and successful
of his fellow-citizens similarly engaged, being progressive in his methods and
possessing the ability and tact to take advantage of circumstances and mold them
to suit his purposes. As already stated, he was one of Wexford's early pioneers,
and not long after his arrival he assisted in building the first saw-mill at
Clam Lake, besides in many other ways contributing to the early growth and
material advancement of the village and adjacent country. On the 29th of April, 1868, in Wellington county, Ontario, Mr. Graham was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Bridge, who was born in Lower Canada, July 22, 1850. To this union seven children have been born, of whom the following are living: Thomas R., George F., William J. and Albert E. Of the deceased members of the family three died when quite young. A daughter by the name of Maggie M. grew to maturity, became the wife of Andrew Hawthorne and departed this life in Missaukee county, Michigan, on April 1 of the year 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Graham are zealous members of the Presbyterian church, and their daily lives beautifully exemplify the faith which they profess. They are widely known for their many virtues, among which hospitality is worthy of especial mention. Their door is ever open to the needy, and in crossing its threshold the guest is sure of a welcome which at once puts him at his ease and in departing carries with him sweet remembrances of the whole-souled host and hostess. In his relations with the world Mr. Graham is ever ready to lend a helping hand to others and to give his influence and material support to all enterprises for the general welfare of the community. Few men of the county are as well known or as popular. His integrity has always been above reproach and his name is synonymous with all that is correct in manhood and ennobling in citizen ship. He has been successful beyond the average, and, being indebted to no one but himself for his rise in the world, his career may be studied with profit by the young man just starting on the road to fortune. |