GRAHAM FAMILY.

Dr. W. G. Graham and family.

Doctor William George Graham was born in Holmes County, Ohio, April 18, 1844, of Scotch-Irish parentage. He died January 2, 1914 at his home at 1320 East 5th in Winfield.

He got his first schooling in the little log school room where the seats were made from flat rails with pins driven for legs and without backs. The room was heated by a fire-place in which great logs were rolled. At the age of fifteen he passed the teachers examination and taught his first school before his sixteenth birthday. For several years thereafter he taught school during the winter months, attended Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio, in the spring and worked on the family farm during the summer.

When the Civil war broke out, he left school and enlisted in the 166th Ohio. On his discharge he again entered upon his studies and in 1866 received his diploma from the New York College of Medicine and went into practice at Ravena, Ohio.

He was married on October 19, 1866, to Miss Fannie Pauline Keys in Ravena, Ohio. She was born June 24, 1848 in Westfield, New York. They must have met while he was attending medical school. They had two sons: Alvah John Graham, born June 26, 1867, in Canton, Ohio, and Ernest Graham, born March 5, 1874, at Winfield, Kansas.

His wife’s health being frail and growing worse each year he moved west in the hope of receiving benefit from a change of climate, locating at Leavenworth, Kansas.

The February 10, 1870, special census of Cowley county lists W. G., Fannie, and Alva G. Graham. There are two other Graham’s listed, S. F., and T. C.

During the Cowley County Old Settlers’ Association meeting in Dexter on Wednesday, August 26, 1903, H. E. Silliman gave the following report. It was printed in the September 3, 1903, issue of the Winfield Free Press.

“Dr. W. G. Graham came to Winfield for the purpose of burying his wife, and as that was in 1869 and he has not yet succeeded in doing so, and those who know the Dr. know his disposition to accomplish what he undertakes, so will all watch the result with interest, hoping that many years yet will be required to do it.

“Dr. and Mrs. Graham came to Leavenworth for Mrs. Graham’s health, which appeared to be benefitted for a short time and then she began to steadily decline, and when he had done all that his medical knowledge enabled him to do and saw no benefit, as a last resort he concluded to try an outing with wagon and team. For that purpose he chose an ox team, because of the fact that it was less likely to be appropriated by thieves and could also procure feed from the prairie grass as they went along. He asked a friend, a Methodist preacher who was also a horse and oxen trader, a combination quite common in those days and sometimes successfully carried on as to both occupations, to get him an ox team. When the preacher knew the purpose he remonstrated with him as sure to result disastrously to Mrs. Graham, but the Dr. had made up his mind that as nothing else had done any good he must try this, so the trader found him a yoke of steers, Texans with wide-spreading horns, which the Dr. viewed with fear and only on the purchaser’s assuring him that they would not kick and were gentle, for Texans, he purchased them for $130 and they proved the trader’s knowledge of good cattle and the preacher’s honesty in their good behavior.

“Putting his household effects in the wagon with a bed on top upon which Mrs. Graham was placed, they started, with no objective point (further than the Dr’s graveyard idea.).

“After a few days out they began to hear of a new country that was to be opened soon and thinking chances were good for graveyards there, since the Indians were threatening to assist in providing the necessaries for starting such advantages, concluded to investigate. The start was made October 7, 1869.

“Dr. Graham had no ‘ox’ education or experience and the first night did not attempt to unfasten the oxen from the wagon, but endeavored to sleep in the wagon as the oxen grazed over the prairie, but the experience was not of a satisfying kind and the second night, he made the attempt and succeeded in safely detaching and lariating them, yoked together, at some little distance from the wagon, but they were again hitched to the wagon in the morning without any difficulty. Dr. Graham finally named the oxen “Buck” and “Diamond.”

“Near Cottonwood Falls the ox yoke broke and Mrs. Graham and the child were left on the prairie while Dr. Graham took a log he had cut from a tree back to town and had another yoke fashioned from it.

“The experience proved to be the very thing needed. Mrs. Graham begun to improve at once and soon they spread their bedding on the prairie with the blue canopy of the heavens above. It was not long until she would walk a mile ahead of the slow plodding oxen and by the time they arrived in Winfield, about October 31, she would walk four or five miles a day.

“They arrived in Augusta October 30 and as the next day was Sunday, the Grahams, who were strict Methodists, so they remained over in that little town which consisted of a sawmill and one dwelling.

“Starting from Augusta early Monday morning the little family spent two days on the way from Augusta to Winfield although the distance is only 36 miles.

“The 300 mile trip from Leavenworth was made in about 30 days. It is now made in less than half as many hours. They camped the first night on the poetic Lagonda, now degenerated into the more practical Timber creek, moved into Cliff Wood’s house the next day to keep the Osages from burning it, while Mr. Wood went to Cottonwood Falls for his new bride, and their lives have since been a part of Winfield’s history.

“The facts above stated throw some light on things and make them plain which otherwise might be somewhat misunderstood. Remember the Graham’s purpose in starting from Leavenworth. Along a few years ago the Union Cemetery association wanted some of the Dr’s land for graveyard purposes, but the Dr. persistently refused; then Col. Jaquins got a bill through the legislature allowing cemetery associations to condemn adjoining land. Precedent to condemning, it was required that a demand be made on the owner. When such demand was made, the Dr. informed them that he was not owner of the land in question, but that it was already a cemetery. Now as the law made no provision for one cemetery association condemning from another, I had always had the suspicion that the Dr. took that plan to head off the Union Association, but as his fixed purpose in 1869 was to find a graveyard it so much ante-dates the other that I must believe that was the reason for founding his cemetery, but if I were Mrs. Graham I would insist on all the revenues from that graveyard.

“The people who were the first settlers were of the sturdy American stock who rely on themselves for all emergencies, and there never was a more thoroughly honest reliable set on men gathered together than the pioneers of Kansas. Having but few wants they had no need to trespass on their neighbors rights, and resented any interference with the carrying out of their plans. The tools that lay out were not even taken and property rights were sacredly respected.

“In February, 1870, the land was thrown open to settlement and the Doctor entered on the quarter lying immediately north of the city. Dr. Graham’s farm was the first fenced, the north half of southwest 22 and east half of southeast 21, 32, 4, contained about 60 acres. The fence was rails 10 feet long and laid worm fence and part flat rails nailed on parts with slats nailed to them.”

“As there was no one upon whom to exercise his profession, he spent his time breaking prairie and in partnership with John Mentch built and operated a saw mill north of Winfield.”

When the First Methodist church was founded, with the Rev. B. C. Swarts, a circuit rider, as pastor, there were three members: Dr. and Mrs. Graham and his brother, Mell Graham. Dr. Graham offered to supply the lumber for the first church building. He and Mrs. Graham sawed the lumber in their mill at night for the building.

(Note - This church is thought to have been where the Courier building is now. RKW)

He built a log house on the claim and in the spring began to break the sod. one of the steers died, and they broke the cow to the yoke and made her pull the plow. Being the first physician in the vicinity, the doctor soon had a practice that extended over miles of country and reached into adjoining counties. He made his trips on horseback, frequently being called to places forty miles distant.

Their second and last son, Ernest R. Graham, was born March 5, 1873, at home, on their farm in Winfield.

After Dr. Graham retired from farm life, about 1912, he and Mrs. Graham moved to Winfield. Their home was located at 1320 East Fifth avenue. This was the family home when Dr. Graham died in 1914. Winfield desired to build a hospital with the bequest of William Newton and so they bought the Graham house. It became renamed “Pine Hall” and was the dormitory for the females in training to become nurses. The widow Graham moved to a smaller house at 1432 East Lynn. This was the first house east of her son, Ernest, who lived at 1428 East Lynn.

The Doctor continued to practice medicine until in his late sixties. He was one of the original trustees of Southwestern College. Twice he was mayor of Winfield and many times a member of the city council. He was the first president of the Settlers’ Protective Association, which had to do not only with protection of property from thieves, but with defense against the Indians and against claim jumpers. In the early years, horse thieves became numerous and bold but the Settlers Protective Association put an end to their operations.

Emporia News, November 19, 1869.

COWLEY COUNTY.

The Osage Indians Getting Troublesome.

Organization of a Citizens’ Protective Union.

On Wednesday we had a call from Mr. W. W. Andrews, of Cowley County, from whom we have late intelligence from that new county.

There is beginning to be some anxiety about threatened troubles with the Indians, and Mr. Andrews was on his way to Topeka to lay before the Governor a petition signed by almost every legal voter in that county, asking him to take measures for their safety. He also brought us the proceedings of a meeting lately held there, at which a “Citizens Protective Union” was organized, the constitution, by-laws, and resolutions of which we publish below.

Mr. Andrews informs us that immigrants are pouring into that county at a rapid rate. Nine families arrived the morning he left, and dozens more are now on their way thither. It is becoming well known that Cowley is one of the best timbered, watered, and agricultural counties in the State, and between this and next summer the rush will be great.

Mr. Andrews says there has been no outbreak with the Indians yet, but they are saucy, and are committing petty thefts among the settlers. Where the men are about home in considerable numbers, the Indians do not disturb anyone, but they watch, and when they find the men absent they visit the houses and compel the women to cook meals for them, after which they load their ponies with provisions and leave. When they can find two or three settlers out from other settlements, they make a regular business of robbing them. The Indians assert that they will not hurt anybody, but that settlers shall not open claims below the mouth of Dutch Creek. They have robbed and driven back all who have ventured below that point, and the settlers, knowing their treachery, fear trouble will break out.

It must be recollected that these settlers are not on land where the Indians object to their going, further than that they want to save their hunting ground. We hope the Governor will make speedy and decided action in the matter, and do all in his power to relieve the demands of these enterprising people. They have gone on to these lands with the assurance from Superintendent Hoag that they should have peaceable possession of them. Notwithstanding the promises the store of C. M. Wood was burned by the Indians.

CITIZENS’ PROTECTIVE UNION.

COWLEY COUNTY, KANSAS, November 7, 1869.

The citizens of Cowley County assembled at the house of Dr. Graham for the purpose of organizing a Citizens’ Protective Union.

N. J. Trusty was elected Chairman, and Dr. Graham, Secretary, after which the following constitution, by-laws, and resolutions were presented and adopted.

CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE 1. This Association shall be called the Cowley County Citizens’ Protective Union.

ARTICLE 2. The object of the Association shall be the mutual protection of citizens, both in claims and property.

ARTICLE 3. The Association shall be composed of those citizens residing within Cowley County who subscribe to this Constitution.

ARTICLE 4. The officers of the Association shall be a President and Secretary.

ARTICLE 5. This Constitution may be altered or amended by a vote of two thirds of all the members present.

BY-LAWS.

ARTICLE 1. This Association shall hold at least one session in each year, at such time and place as may be determined upon from time to time.

ARTICLE 2. The officers shall be elected at each annual session, by ballot, and shall remain in office until others are chosen.

ARTICLE 3. The President shall preside at the meetings of the Association, preserve order therein, put all questions, announce decisions, appoint committees, and call meetings at his discretion, or at the request of three members.

ARTICLE 4. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of meetings, answer all letters addressed to the Association, give proper notice of the meetings, and attend to such other business as generally pertains to this office.

RESOLUTIONS.

Resolved, That the members of this Association use their influence to encourage immigration to the bounds of this county.

Resolved, That owing to the outrages having been perpetrated upon the property of citizens of this county by the Osage Indians, that we petition the Governor for protection.

Resolved, That each citizen be entitled to hold a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land, provided he improves and resides upon the same within thirty days after making his claim, and that we recognize as improvements sufficient to entitle a man to protection that there be a house upon the claim, and at least five acres cultivated within twelve months from making his claim.

Resolved, That we recognize no man’s right to hold a claim of more than one hundred and sixty acres of land.

Resolved, That in the transaction of business this Association be governed by parliamentary rules.

Election of officers being next in order, Dr. W. G. Graham was elected President for the ensuing year, and C. M. Wood Secretary. Adjourned.

N. J. TRUSTY, President.

W. G. GRAHAM, Secretary.

ALVAH [OR ALVA] JOHN GRAHAM.

Alvah John Graham was born June 26, 1867, at Canton, Ohio. He was the son of Dr. W. G. Graham and Mrs. Fannie Graham.

Mr. Graham attended local schools and graduated from Southwestern College in 1889, with the first class to receive diplomas from the newly-established Methodist school. He received his law degree from the University of Kansas in 1892. A chapter (Beta Kappa) of Sigma Nu Fraternity was founded, at Southwestern, in 1892, by Alva J. Graham. This was soon forced out of existence, however. As a result several men left school and there was no graduating class that year. He practiced law in Guthrie, Oklahoma, for a few years before starting his practice in Winfield. He was married in 1895 to Julia D. Smith, who died May 20, 1952. They lived at 1403 East Fourth Street. They had two daughters, Miss Helen Graham, who was head of the Southwestern College speech department; and Mrs. Philip W. Vance of Springfield, Illinois.

A. J. Graham became a member of Grace Methodist church shortly after its organization and served on the church board for 40 years.

Alvah Graham had been a Mason since 1888. His law office was on the ground floor of the Masonic building on East Eighth street. He was active in the Redman Lodge, was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity at KU, served on the board of the Salvation Army. He was known as a champion for the underprivileged and was a great friend of children, especially of those less privileged. He died December 31, 1953.

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Ernest Graham.

Ernest Graham was born March 5, 1873 on the old Graham homestead, which is the present site of the Graham-Union Cemetery. The Graham family lot at the cemetery is on the approximate spot of the location of their early home. The farm was then the outer edge of the Winfield city limits. He died April 4, 1937.

Ernest Graham received his education in Winfield, attending the Winfield city schools and Southwestern college. He was a farmer of the Winfield community until he retired. His farm was located southwest of town, and was later known as the Graham oil field.

After arriving at manhood, Mr. Graham was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Wood who was the daughter of another pioneer resident (Warren Wood).

After retiring from the farm, Mr. and Mrs. Graham moved into Winfield and for several years resided in the 1400 block on east Twelfth avenue. Leaving there they moved to 1428 Lynn street, residing there for the rest of their lives. His mother resided nest door at 1432 Lynn and his brother, Alvah, resided just around the corner at the south-west corner of Fourth and Park.

The only survivors of Mr. Graham and his wife were two nieces, Mrs. Helen Graham Scott who was head of the Southwestern College speech department, and Mrs. Philip W. Vance of Springfield, Illinois.

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