Following is one of the Biographies and Stories which where gathered by Charles Sumner McKamy in the 1950s for publication in a Crawford County History Book. Unfortunately he passed away before the book was published.
Perry Graves, Sr. born in Rockford, Ill. On Sept. 6, 1889, a Graduate of Rockford High School and the University of Illinois in class of 1915 with BA degree and attended Pittsburg University during Freshman year, after which I was employed as a Lumber salesman for nine years, came to Robinson in 1925 as a partner in the Otey Lumber Company, when the name was changed to the Robinson Lumber Company with an option to purchase the interest of Harry E. Otey, which I did becoming the sole owner. Later I acquired the Palestine Lumber Co. and the Oblong Lumber Co. and again expanded the business by establishing the Hutsonville Lumber Co. My major activities have been Football and Baseball in athletics, Football and Baseball in the High School at Pittsburg; Illinois member Zupk's famous Western Conference Champions 1914. After graduating from University of Illinois I officiated Football for 29 years.
In Robinson I have served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, a Member of the Board of the Robinson High School and a member of the Robinson Library Board. In Robinson fraternal organization I am a Moose, Elk and a Mason. In College Fraternities I am a Chi Psi and Alpha Psi.
We have four sons and a daughter: Major Perry Graves, Jr. U.S.A., who came out of War II with Silver Star and Purple Heart and in Korea War he again received the Silver Star and is now stationed in Puerto Rico; Dean Graves also served in War II and came out with Croix de Guerre; Parker and Howard also served in War II, all in combat duty but Howard who did not participate in combat duty.
Our daughter, Mrs. Julia Roberson lives in Georgetown, Ky. And her husband, T.Y. Roberson is an agronomist. They have one daughter, Sally Ann. My sons, Perry has two sons, Perry I and Dennis, Dean has two daughters, Debbie and Shelia, Parker has two sons, John and David.
My wife, Marvel White was born in Champaign, Ill. and graduated in the Champaign High School.