My Genealogy Hound

JOHN H. GRAHAM. An eminent judge on being asked what qualities contribute most to success, replied: “Some succeed by great talent, some by high connections, and some by miracle, but the majority succeed by commencing without a shilling.” In his youth the subject of this biographical sketch had few advantages, for his parents were poor and he was early obliged to earn his own livelihood, but, notwithstanding the disadvantages under which he labored in his boyhood days, he has achieved a degree of success not usually attained. He is President of the well-known Graham & Morton Transportation Company at St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, and is also President of the Alden Canning Company, the success of both enterprises being due largely to his efforts.

Born in Boone County, Ill., December 10, 1849, our subject is the son of John and Lucinda (Nichols) Graham. He spent his youthful days in Elkhart, Ind., where he was a pupil in the public schools. In 1864 he came to St. Joseph, and, embarking in the lumber business in connection with his father, gave his attention thereto until 1870, when he entered into partnership with Andrew Crawford in the sawmill and hardwood lumber business at Benton Harbor. This firm conducted an extensive business, and engaged in steamboating in 1875.

Prior, however, to the above-mentioned enterprise, the Graham & Morton Company was established, in 1875, by J. H. Graham, J. Stanley Morton, Andrew Crawford and James Paxton. In 1881 the business was merged into a stock company, now known as the Graham & Morton Transportation Company, with Mr. Graham as President, and he still holds that position. In addition to this business, to which he devotes his attention with assiduity and energy, Mr. Graham has other extensive interests, all of which are proving remunerative. He is President of the Hotel St. Joseph, an elegant summer resort located on the beach and provided with two hundred and forty comfortable rooms. He is also President of the Alden Canning Company, at Benton Harbor, which does a large business and is established on a solid financial basis, and is a Director in the Union Banking Company of St. Joseph.

St. Joseph has many beautiful homes, but none more elegant or attractive than that occupied and owned by Mr. Graham. It is a brick structure, with picturesque surroundings and perfect in its interior appointments. The lady who presides over this lovely home was in her maiden days Miss Dora E. Chase, being the daughter of E. T. Chase, of Homer, Mich., although at the time of her marriage she was residing in Benton Harbor. She became the wife of Mr. Graham on the 14th of February, 1881, and has since that time been his faithful and devoted helpmate. As a Republican, Mr. Graham takes an active part in local and State politics, and no man stands higher in the regard of his fellow-citizens than he.