My Genealogy Hound

Samuel L. Graham was born in Rowan County, N. C., November 18, 1812, son of John Graham, who was born in the same State in 1774. He was, for a time, quite prosperous financially, but reverses came, and he died wholly insolvent. His wife’s maiden name was Martha Anderson. She lived and died in North Carolina. Samuel L., our subject, is the fourth of six children, and is of Scotch-Irish extraction. His educational advantages in early boyhood were very limited, as the early death of his father, and the insolvency of the estate, made it compulsory for him to make his own way in the world, and accordingly, at the early age of thirteen years, he became the architect of his own fortunes, and began working at the tailor’s trade. He came to Tennessee in 1832, settling at Franklin, where he worked at his trade until 1837, and then removed to Columbia, where he followed merchant tailoring until 1844. From that date until 1850 he was in the mercantile business, in Franklin, in partnership with Mr. R. H. Bradley. Mr. Graham came to what was then Davis’ mill (now Pinewood) in 1848, and erected a factory and mill, the former being burned in 1871. He reconstructed and completed his present three-story building, which is 50x90 feet, and cost, including machinery, $80,000. The manufactures are standard sheeting and cordage, the manufacture of the former amounting to 2,250 yards per day, and the latter to 800 pounds of rope or cordage per day, giving employment to about 300 persons. In connection with this there is a good grist-mill and 6,000 acres of land, 1,100 acres of which are in good farming condition. Since his arrival in the place he has been engaged in merchandising, and has one of the most beautiful and comfortable country seats in Tennessee. Mr. Graham has been very prosperous financially, and his property has been gained by years of unremitting toil and an energy and perseverance that has known no diminution. He is charitable and generous with his wealth. He and Andrew Johnson were born in the same State, came to Tennessee about the same time, and each had the same occupation in early life. Mr. Johnson chose politics, and Mr. Graham manufacturing and agriculture, and each prospered in his chosen calling. Mr. Graham was a Whig, and a Union man during the war, and is now independent in politics. In 1846 he wedded Frances E., daughter of Capt. M. and Nancy Helm, of Columbia, Tenn. She died in 1863, leaving one son, John M. In 1868 Mr. Graham took for his second wife Thomasella Hardaman, daughter of Thomas and Berthenia Hardaman, of Franklin, Tenn. They have two children: Harry H. and Thomasella H. Mrs. Graham died in 1870, and three years later Mr. Graham married Martha J. Clouston, his present wife, who is a daughter of Edward G. and Cenia Clouston, of Franklin, Tenn. Mrs. Graham is a member of the Episcopal Church.