George Graham
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(Taken from the HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK  BY L. H. EVERTS 1879)

Among the pioneers and prominent citizens of the town of Yorkshire whose life and services entitle them to notice on the pages of local history, few, if any, better deserve to have their memories perpetuated than our subject.  Coming to Yorkshire as he did when the now thriving and prosperous town was a wilderness, uncultivated, and barren of agricultural implements, he witnessed much of its growth and prosperity, and was himself an important factor in its development.  For more than forty years he filled some office of trust in the town, and his good common sense and more than average intelligence were largely felt in the material and intellectual progress of the community in which he lived so long and so well.

George Graham was born at Concord, N. H., Oct. 5, 1801.  He was the son of Asa Graham, an active and influential citizen of Concord.  About the year 1820, he accompanied his son George to Yorkshire, but never became an actual settler there.

On the 13th of January, 1835, George Graham returned to Concord, and was there united in marriage with Lucia Thorn, who, immediately after the performance of the interesting ceremony, returned with her husband to their new home in the Western country, as Cattaraugus County as then considered.  They commenced housekeeping in the March following their wedding, and where for upwards of forty-five years they passed life's fleeting hours together; and on the 7th of March, 1871, she died full of years, and after the fulfillment of the noblest relations of woman, --those of wife and mother.  A little less than two years later, and on the 12th of February, 1873, Mr. Graham followed his exemplary companion to the grave, and sleeping the last long sleep together, we can but wish them a blissful eternity after the resurrection.

This worthy couple had ten children, namely, Joseph G., born Oct. 14, 1825; Flora Taylor, May 12, 1861, deceased; Sarah L., born Sept. 22, 1826, unmarried; Rozilla A., born June 8, 1828, married Jeremiah F. Jackman, Feb. 20, 1851, resides in Erie Co., N. Y.; Rachel M., born Nov. 14, 1830, unmarried; John C., born Jan. 15, 1833, married Teressa Jacobs, Dec. 15, 1861, resides in Iowa; George H., born March 5, 1835, married Ellen M. Morse, March 24, 1861; Lucia E., born March 14, 1837, married Solomon Howe, Oct. 7, 1869; Walter A., born April 30, 1839, married Altie E. Nye, Sept. 29, 1866; Mary J., born Feb. 4, 1842, died Jan. 20, 1845; Mary L., born May 15, 1844, unmarried.

In politics, Mr. Graham was first a Whig, and afterwards a Republican, which latter he remained until his death.  He held the office of supervisor for about ten years, and was a justice of the peace for twenty-four years.  He held also several minor town offices, all of which he filled with fidelity to the trusts imposed in him and with general ability.  He resided in the old homestead (now occupied by his unmarried daughters) nearly fifty years, and every one knew him as an honest man and a good citizen.

submitted by Pam Davis