My Genealogy Hound

JOHN GRAHAM, Postmaster at Buchanan, was born in Somerset County, Pa., on the 23d of April, 1835. He is of direct Scotch descent, his grandfather, George Graham, having been born in Scotland. The father of our subject, John Graham, Sr., was born and reared in Pennsylvania, where he followed mercantile pursuits. As a business man he enjoyed the confidence of the people of his community, and he was highly regarded for the probity and uprightness of his life. Among the enterprises in which he was largely interested, and toward the success of which he contributed, may be mentioned the building of the old turnpike road near his home, between Pittsburgh and Bedford, Pa.

The mother of our subject was in maidenhood Miss Mary Kimmel and was born in Pennsylvania, being the daughter of George L. Kimmel. After the death of Mr. Graham, which occurred in Pennsylvania when he was about forty years of age, his widow came to Michigan and located in Berrien Springs in 1846. On her trip here she was accompanied by four of her seven children. John, who was next to the youngest in order of birth, was eleven years old when he came to this State, and his schooling was obtained principally in Berrien Springs. In 1852 he went to Albion and entered Albion College, where he was a student for two years. Subsequently he entered the preparatory department of the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and it was his intention to finish the course there but circumstances prevented. In 1857 Mr. Graham returned to Berrien Springs and engaged in the mercantile business with Dr. Philip Kephart, with whom he remained until September, 1861. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted as a member of Company I, Michigan Infantry, and aided in the organization of the company, of which he was elected First Lieutenant. For meritorious service he was later promoted to the position of Captain. At the battle of Shiloh he was wounded, and being captured by the Confederates was imprisoned for eight months. After being released he entered the service again, and remained at the front until the expiration of his term of enlistment, when he was honorably discharged.

Again resuming his mercantile enterprises, Mr. Graham conducted a large business in Buchanan, and continued thus engaged there through the following years, with the exception of five years spent in Kansas for the benefit of his health. For a time he served as Assistant Assessor of Revenue for the district where he now lives, including Berrien and Cass Counties. Twice he has been chosen to serve as Village Trustee. On the 1st of April, 1890, he was appointed Postmaster, his commission being dated in February of that year. He is prominently connected with William Perrott Post No. 22, G. A. R., and is highly regarded throughout this section of Michigan.

The pleasant home of Mr. Graham is presided over by his estimable wife, who is a lady of intelligence and winning manners. She was formerly Miss Harriett F. Burton and was born and reared in Clinton, Lenawee County, Mich. Their marriage was solemnized February 3, 1862, and has been blessed by the birth of two children: Dell, wife of Harry H. Daw, of the firm of Daw Bros., of Chicago; and John B., who is a traveling salesman.