WILLIAM M. GRAHAM, whose fine farm of 90½ acres of valuable land, all in one body, is situated on the Federal road, on Darby Creek, in Muhlenberg township, was born near Cook’s Station, Fayette County, Ohio, May 13. 1845, and is a son of William and Harriet (Crab) Graham.
William Graham was born in Delaware, and his wife in Ohio. They were married in Fayette County, Ohio, later came to Pickaway County and still later moved to Benton County, Indiana, where both died when about 80 years of age. They were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had 1 1 children, all of whom lived to maturity, the youngest death being at the age of 21 years. The children were: John, deceased, who fought for the Union in the Civil W ar; James, deceased; Mrs. Nancy Lamb, deceased; George, deceased; Mrs. Ann Hogg, deceased; Thomas L., of Muhlenberg township; Mrs. Mary Self, of Madison County, Ohio; Benjamin, deceased; Nelson and Mrs. Cordelia Bowman, both residents of Benton County, Indiana; and William M., of this sketch.
William M. Graham was seven years old when his parents came to Pickaway County, settling in 1852 in Monroe township. Later removal was made to Darby township, where our subject lived until he was 19 years of age. He then accompanied his parents to Franklin County, Ohio. After living there one, year, he enlisted in the Union Army, on August 5, 1864, entering Company K, 176th Reg, Ohio Vol. Inf., the commanding officers of company and regiment being Capt. Arthur \V. Chenoweth and Col. E. C. Mason. The regiment was sent to Nashville, Tennessee. Six weeks later Mr. Graham became so violently ill that he was placed in a hospital at Jefferson Bar— racks, Missouri, remained there from Decem— ber 1, 1864, to March 31, 1865, when he was discharged and he returned to his home.
After his return from the army, Mr. Graham engaged in work by the month, mainly in Fayette County, and also attended school in that county during the winter of 1865-66. In 1869 he married and rented a farm in Monroe township, Pickaway County. Within a year his wife died and he gave up farming for a time. Diiring one summer he engaged in clerking in a country store and during this period he made his home with his brother. After his second marriage, in 1875, he resumed farming. again renting for some years, but in 1888 he purchased a well-located tract of 49% acres, that being his first purchase of the property included in his present farm. Subsequently he added to it until he now has 90y. acres. and as all of it is in one tract it makes a valuable. easily managed farm. It is well watered by Darby Creek and has proved a profitable investment.
Almost all of the improvements which add to the value and appearance of his farm, Mr. Graham made himself. He dug wells, erected a number of the buildings and set out a fine orchard. When he first located here. he had little capital but be invested it carefully and wisely and it has many times doubled itself since then.
Mr. Graham was married (first),_December 29. 1869. to Elizabeth Satchel, who was born in Fayette County, Ohio. His second marriage. in 1875. was to Hannah Gilliland, who was born in Darby township. Pickaway County. Ohio. September18. 1850. and died on the present homestead on March 20. 1898. She was a daughter of Samuel and Malinda (Alkire) Gilliland, the former of whom was born in Logan and the latter in Pickaway County. Samuel Gilliland lived in Pickaway County from the age of five years.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Graham were: Mary Lizzie, for nine years a school teacher in Pickaway County, who is the wife of M. C. Edwards, of Derby; Samuel Ross, deceased at the age of nine months; Thomas, a rural mail carrier, who lives at Orient; May, living at home; Warner T., a farmer of Muhlenberg township; Walter G., of Orient, also a rural mail carrier; George, a farmer of Darby township; and Brough, Pearl and Nellie, who live at h0me.
Mr. Graham has been a lifelong Republican, casting his first presidential vote for Gen. U. S. Grant. He served one year as supervisor of Muhlenberg township, for three years as school director and at present is one of the township trustees. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Darbyville.
