BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890. Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater. Pages 581-582. ISAAC N. GRAFTON, the pioneer undertaker and furniture dealer of Bellaire, Ohio, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1827. He is the son of Jacob and Ellen (Peck) Grafton. The father was a Virginian, and his mother a native of Maryland. Jacob's father was Robert Grafton, also a Virginian. Robert came to Jefferson county in the early days of that county, being one of the pioneers. He was killed by lightning in 1829, leaving eight children, all of whom are now dead. Jacob was born about 1802. After obtaining the usual amount of education possible in those days he learned the blacksmith's trade, but never followed it to any extent. When a young man he moved to Island Creek township, Jefferson county, where he took a farm and gave his attention to tilling the soil. Remaining in Jefferson county for a few years he sold his property and went to Columbiarua county. Here he lived for fifteen years, at the end of which period he returned to Hancock county, W. Va., and later to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he died. He was married to Ellen Peck previous to his moving to Jefferson county. She bore him nine children. Mrs. Grafton passed away in 1851, in Virginia. Five of her children still survive her. Having obtained all the schooling possible, I. N. Grafton, the principal of this biography, served an appren- ticeship of four years in Fairview, W. Va., under John J. Halstead. He fol- lowed his trade for some time, and in 1856 accepted a position with the C. & P. railroad company, in whose employ he remained for six years. He after- ward worked at carpentry for several years, and in about 1865 started into the business which he still conducts, having met with the most gratifying success. Rebecca J. Henery, of Jefferson county, became his wife in 1847, and four children were born to them: John B., Nancy A., William M. and an infant that died before it was christened. Mr. and Mrs. Grafton are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, he is also a member of the I. O. O. F., of the Masons, the Druids, Golden Eagle, Senior O. A. M., and several other orders. Although he has not taken any active part in politics, yet he is a thorough republican. The children are all deceased. He has sold his furniture business, and now gives his time exclusively to undertaking, being himself a practical embalmer.