My Genealogy Hound

REV. JOSEPH S. GRAVES. Fifty years have come and gone since this gentleman entered the ministry of the Congregational Church. During nearly all these years he proclaimed the Gospel story, and told it with a simplicity and a power that were irresistible, as thousands still living can testify. He was well fitted in mind and body for pioneer service in the cause of religion, blazing the way for others and enduring hardships as a true soldier of Jesus Christ. His sermons were full of an unction that stirred his hearers to the depths of their souls. His appeals were often overpowering in their earnestness. Though he has now retired from the ministry, his life speaks, more eloquently in behalf of Christianity than even his words could do, powerful and beautiful as they were.

It cannot be out of place in this connection to mention facts of interest in the life of this pioneer preacher. He was born at Hartford, Conn., in 1814. His parents were Jeremiah and Mary N. (Spencer) Graves, natives respectively of Massachusetts and Hartford, Conn. Prior to the age of sixteen he resided in Connecticut, where he received a common-school education in the primitive “temples of learning” common in that day. In 1831 he accompanied his parents to Illinois, and three years later he entered the Illinois College, located at Jacksonville, graduating from that institution in 1839. Later he became a student in the Lane Theological Seminary at Cincinnati, Ohio, studying under the famous Lyman Beecher, and graduating from the seminary in 1842.

After having been ordained a minister of the Gospel in 1843, the Rev. Mr. Graves accepted the pastorate of the Congregational Church at Woodburn, Ill. Five years later he became pastor of a church in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained for two years. Thence he removed to Aurora, Portage County, Ohio, and for sixteen years he occupied a prominent position among the clergy of that city. In 1866 he located in Roscoe, Ill., where he remained for six years. His next home was in Jackson County, Iowa, where he resided for three years. While in that place he retired from active connection with the ministry, to which his entire active life had previously been devoted. In 1875 he came to Niles and has since resided in this city. Since coming here, he has held the same devoted attachment to the city, and whatever contributes to her growth he is ready to espouse. Politically, he is a Republican, but is not active in the party. In 1842 Rev. Mr. Graves married Miss Frances Kemper, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who died in 1853. They were the parents of three children, viz.: Mary E., wife of Charles Osborne, of Niles; Anna Belle, and Frank K., deceased. The second marriage of Rev. Mr. Graves occurred in 1854, and united him with Miss Anna Boyce, a native of Massachusetts. This union has been blessed by two children: Henry D. and Hattie L., the latter being the wife of Frank Morris, of Niles.