My Genealogy Hound

Thomas Benton Graham was born in Ray County, Mo., March 1, 1832, and almost since his birth has been a resident of Cedar County. William Graham, the grandfather, was born in Ireland in 1770, and when sixteen years old came to the United States, and located in Virginia, and previous to his marriage moved to the State of Kentucky, and about 1820 emigrated to Boone County, Mo., and to Ray County, of the same State, five years later. Here he died in 1864. His son Robert, father of our subject, was born in Kentucky in 1801, and came to Missouri with his parents, and was married in Ray County when about twenty-eight years of age to Miss Ann English, and November 17, 1832, removed to Cedar County, settling on the farm now owned by John Gordon. His neighbors were Thomas English, his father-in-law, John Crisp, and a Mr. Crump. He went fifty miles to mill, and to Springfield to do his trading, making the trip about once a year. He located on the farm now owned by his son Thomas B., in 1835, and here died in 1849. His wife was born in Knoxville, Tenn., in 1809, and is a daughter of Thomas and Letitia (Campbell) English, who came to what is now Cedar County, Mo., in 1832, where they died in 1856 and 1848 respectively. Mrs. Graham is still living, and from choice makes her home by herself. She and Mr. Graham became the parents of twelve children: Thomas B., Martha A., wife of S. B. Edsell; Adaline, wife of T. P. Fourt; Robert M. and Mary, twins, the latter the wife of Thomas White; James J.; Malinda, wife of George W. Bayless; Bettie, wife of J. L. Powell; and Orlean, wife of Benjamin White, are living; and the following are deceased: William C., who died in Louisiana in 1885; Susan J., the wife of George W. Sally, died in August, 1888; and John M., who died in 1868. Thomas B. Graham was only an infant when his parents came to Cedar County, and made his home with his mother on the farm until he was twenty-four years old. In 1855 he went South for his health, remaining until 1859, when he went to Pike’s Peak, after which he returned home. In 1860 he went to California, and was engaged in herding cattle and teaming for four years, and then went to Boise City, Idaho, and did various kinds of work for two and a half years. In the spring of 1866 he went to Montana Territory, and in the fall of that year returned to Cedar County, Mo., and very shortly after returned to Louisiana. Since 1867 he has been engaged in farming and stock-dealing in Cedar County, being the owner of 500 acres of land, on which is erected a commodious, substantial and handsome residence. He is a member of the Masonic order, and in his political views is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Buchanan in 1856. In April, 1868, he was married to Miss Orlena Baker, a daughter of John and Rura Ann (Sherrill) Baker. She was born in Cedar County, Mo., in 1848, and died the following August after her marriage. October 6, 1870, Mr. Graham wedded his second wife, Miss Ann Eliza Harris, a daughter of Robert and Nancy (Berger) Harris. Mrs. Graham was born in Cooper County, Mo., in 1843, and is the mother of three children: James H., Laura and Sallie.