Charles Robert Graham, who built in Bellingham one of the most successful wholesale and retail drug businesses in Washington, and who was prominent as well in Bellingham's civic life, died Sunday at a local hospital, after about twelve day's illness. Mr. Graham was 66 years of age, having been born January 19, 1870, at Wayland, Michigan. He was president of the Graham Drug Company. Mr. Graham was a member of the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, Woodmen of the World, Odd Fellows, Elks lodge No. 194 and of the Presbyterian church. Surviving relatives are the widow, Mrs. Emma Graham, whom as Emma Sobers he married January 4, 1897, at Bellingham; two sons, Robert L. Graham and Frederick A. Graham, and one daughter, Mary Graham Mathes, all of Bellingham; two brothers, Frederick W. Graham, Seattle, assistant general agricultural development agent of the Great Northern railway, and John A. Graham, Bellingham. Another brother, Harry H. Graham, Bellingham, died in 1919. Seven grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be held at the Harlow-Hollingsworth funeral home at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Rev. James M. Wilson, minister of St. James Presbyterian church, will officiate. Casketbearer will be Thomas B. Cole, James Gaul, A. M. Muir, Dr. D. F. Carswell, George Dodson and Percy Livesey. Burial will be in Bay View cemetery.
Mr. Graham was a graduate of the Wayland, Michigan, high school and of the Kalamazoo, Michigan, business college. Soon thereafter he went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was apprenticed and where he was registered. There he became chief clerk in the city's largest drug store. Mr. Graham first came to Bellingham in 1892, four years after his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Graham, settled here. As times were slack, he returned to the East. Subsequently he came to Seattle and entered the employ of the Stewart & Holmes Drug company, eventually being promoted to chief clerk. Returning to Bellingham in 1899, Mr. Graham joined with L. DeChamplain in the operation of a drugstore in a room adjoining the present Owl Pharmacy, at East Holly street and Cornwall avenue. Later they moved into what then was known as the Fisher building, now the medical building. In 1906 John A. Munch, of Mount Vernon, bought out Mr. DeChamplain's interest in the firm, the partnership of Graham & Munch was incorporated. This corporation continued active until December 12, 1912, when Mr. Graham purchased Mr. Munch's interest and changed the firm name to the Graham Drug Company.
