Johnson County >> 1912 Index

Leading Events in Johnson County, Iowa
by Charles R. Aurner. 2 vols. Cedar Rapids: Western Hist. Pr., 1912-13.

G

Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton.

ED C. GRAHAM submitted by Merrilee Miller

The Graham family was one of importance as connected with the early history of Johnson county, and for them Graham township received its name. This family was foremost in all measures of public advancement and was representative of the highest interests of the community. It has several worthy representatives in the region today, prominent among whom is Ed. C. Graham, living on Section 25, of Graham township, who was born on the farm he now occupies, January 3, 1865, just prior to the Civil War. He is a son of Alexander and Mary E. (Dyarmett ) Graham, the father born at Zanesville, Ohio, March 7, 1834 and died in Chicago, Illinois. The father of Alexander was the noble pioneer, Andrew Graham, who died January 19, 1870, at an advanced age, and who was a native of the Emerald Isle. He first arrived in Johnson county in 1849 and located land from the government, but did not settle there permanently until 1854. It was for this emigrant ancestor of the family that the township received its name. He was foremost in the affairs of his community and held many positions of public trust. He was a useful factor in the Methodist church and the local society, organized in 1864, was known as the Graham church, of which he was trustee. His wife died three years prior to his own demise. She was a native of Maryland.

Alexander Graham received a good education in the school of Zanesville, where he grew to manhood, and in 1850 came to Johnson county with his father, and the two purchased some 900 acres of land from the government, at a price of $1.25 per acre. He returned to Zanesville and there married, April 16, 1854, Mary E. Dyarmett, a native of that place. Soon after marriage the young couple took up their permanent home in Iowa, on the place where the subject of this sketch now resides. He had made several trips to Iowa to look after his land interests and became highly successful in his operation. Seven children were born to him and his wife, of whom the following four now survive. Hattie, the wife of E.C. Shankland, a member of the Subway Commission of Chicago; Andrew D., of Chicago; Cora I., and Eddie C. Andrew and Cora are graduates of Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa. Three children died in infancy. The parents of these children were active in the Methodist church of Oasis and the father, who was a republican in politics, held many township offices and served on term as deputy sheriff. He was interested in various financial enterprises and was one of the founders and served as president of West Branch State Bank. He was active in securing the services of the best teachers in the local schools. His fine farm of 400 acres spoke volumes for his thrift, good management, and energy, and his beautiful home, which is modern throughout, is a lasting monument to his pride in his home. The lumber was all milled on the place, material being hauled from Iowa City. He was popular in fraternal circles, being a loyal member of the Masonic order. The good work which is so ably begun has been continued through the efforts of his son Ed, who has the advantage of may late inventions and methods.

Ed C. Graham received his early education in the district school, and later attended Iowa City Academy and Commercial College. With the exemption of eighteen months, which he spent in railroad work, he has made this place his home during his entire life, and takes peculiar pride in his estate. He has made general farming his occupation, but has paid especial attention to cattle feeding, and also has 200 hogs on his place. He has many land interests aside from his home farm, having an interest in three horse ranches in Sully County, South Dakota, a quarter section of wheat land in Brown County, in the same state, and a quarter section in O’Brien County, Iowa. In 1911 his corn crop averaged 65 bushels to the acre on forty-eight acres, and he has ever been successful in other lines. He ships from three to six carloads of cattle annually. He purchased the old homestead of 400 acres in 1906, but has since disposed of part of the land. He has made a number of notable improvements, having erected barns and an auto garage. He has a very fine concrete cave, which he constructed himself, which he uses as a vegetable and fruit cellar, and in case of a cyclone he thinks it would be a convenient refuge. In his concrete wash house he has installed a machine that is run by a gasoline engine. He has procured every convenience possible for his home. He is a natural mechanic, and underneath the ice houses he has constructed a meat room, with a refrigerator which will hold a large amount, and which has been found most useful and convenient.

Mr. Graham united in marriage with Miss Lillian Hemsted, of Graham township, daughter of Samuel H. and Mary J. (Haddock) Hemsted, the latter of whom died in the spring of 1879. The grandparents of Mrs. Graham, Frederick and Elizabeth(Akers) Hemsted, came to Johnson county from Ohio in 1844. Mrs. Graham presides over her modern home gracefully and efficiently, and she and her husband gladly welcome their many friends there. She is the mother of four children: Helen and Carl, student of Iowa City high school; Archer, attending school; Harriet. Mr. Graham is a republican in politics and has been a delegate to the county convention. He is president of the West Branch Telephone Company and his business ability and sagacity are well recognized. Fraternally he is a member of the A.F.& A.M., being a Shriner of Davenport Consistory, and also is affiliated with Camp No. 5059, M.W.A., of Oasis.

JOSEPH R. GUTHRIE has continued the business of farming on the old homestead taken up by his father and mother in Fremont township in 1865. In this particular he gives an example of continuity worthy of emulation by the young men of this generation, and the success which has crowned his efforts and faithfulness would seem to be sufficient reward for almost any ordinary ambition. Mr. Guthrie was born in Boston, Massachusetts, August 25, 1864. His parents were Andrew and Isabella (Corbett) Guthrie, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Ireland. The father and mother came to America about the same time (1860) and were married in this country. (See sketch of the Kirkpatrick family. - Ed.) J. R. Guthrie's parents came direct from Boston to Fremont township in 1865, he being then about one year old, and settled on a part of the present farm, owned and operated by their son. they had two children: Joseph R., and Elizabeth, teacher in the public schools of Lone Tree. the father and mother are both dead.
Mr. Guthrie married Miss Nellie Babbitt, a native of Appanoose county, Iowa. they have six children: Andrew S., Alida Grace, Isabella, May, John Wesley, and Margaret Jane. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a republican in politics. His fraternal affiliation is with the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, M. B. A., and M. W. A., being a member of the local lodges of Lone Tree, Iowa.