My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL C. GRAHAM. The writer, in his journeys through Johnson County, found very few who had resided upon their homesteads for so long a period as Mr. Graham. For fifty-four years he has lived on section 36, township 46, range 27, where he has a farm improved with substantial buildings and containing all the accessories of a first-class estate. The place is advantageously situated, being just west of the village of Center View, so that it combines the attractions of rural life with the conveniences of the town. Through all these years Mr. Graham has devoted his attention to the cultivation of the farm, and his business interests being centered here, he has seldom found it necessary to travel beyond the borders of the county. In fact, since settling on this place, he has been out of Missouri only twice, once to Kansas and at another time to Virginia.

The Graham family was first represented in America by our subject’s grandfather, Robert Graham, who was born in Ireland, and emigrated thence to Virginia, where he died. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Craig, also died in the Old Dominion. The maternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Montgomery) Crockett, were of Virginian birth and ancestry. The parents of our subject, Robert and Katherine (Crockett) Graham, were born in Wythe County, Va., the former in 1780, and the latter in 1788. The father served as Surveyor in Virginia, and after coming to Johnson County, Mo., was Assessor for some time and County Judge for thirteen years. He was a Democrat and usually voted that ticket, but was not active in politics. His death occurred in this county at the age of seventy-seven.

Six children, John Guy, Samuel C., Mary Elizabeth, Robert Craig, James Johnston and Margaret Amanda, comprised the family of Robert and Katherine Graham. Of these, two sons and both daughters are still living. Our subject was born in Black Lick, Va., December 14, 1814, and was educated in the common schools of that state. In 1833 he came to Missouri, where for two years he alternated work on a farm with teaching school. Since then, however, he has given his attention entirely to agricultural pursuits.

March 26, 1840, occurred the marriage of Samuel C. Graham and Margaret Gleaves Hobson. The grandfather of Mrs. Graham was a Virginian, and her father was also born in the Old Dominion, but he was reared principally in Tennessee, whence he came to Missouri in 1818. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Rachel Barnett, was reared in Kentucky. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Graham, six are living, namely: John Henry, Robert Craig, Josephus Crockett, Nancy Elizabeth, Samuel Barnett and William Alexander. The sons and daughter were educated in the public schools of Center View, and were reared to habits of industry and fitted to occupy positions of honor in the world. John Henry has been twice married, his first wife having been Alice Woolry, and his second Sarah McFarland; he is the father of two children. Robert Craig married Miss Josie White, and has one child. Samuel B. married Miss Laura Glass, and they have one child. Josephus Crockett chose as his wife Miss Kate White, and they are the parents of three children. William Alexander married Miss Lulu Glass.

In their religious connections Mr. and Mrs. Graham are identified with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order and the Grange. In politics a Democrat, he has stood by that party ever since casting his first ballot, and will doubtless continue to uphold its principles as long as he lives, for he believes them best adapted to our national welfare. Some years ago he was elected Assessor, but, being ill at the time, was unable to accept the position. He served in the Osage War in 1837, under Capt. John A. Ramsey, and the Mormon War in 1838, being under Capt. Nicholas Turner. As a man and a citizen, his life has been above reproach, his character honorable and his probity unquestioned. Now in the evening of life’s busy day, he is surrounded by all the comforts of existence and many of its luxuries, and is ministered to by his children and grandchildren, whose prosperity his self-sacrificing labors have enhanced.