HON. GEORGE S. GRAHAM, M.D., represents an old and prominent pioneer family, whose first settlement was made in Cross Creek township, Washington Co., Penn, in 1776. Henry Graham, the earliest pioneer, of this family, of whom we have any authentic record, was a native of Chester county Penn., where he was married to a native-born lady and moving to Washington county, settled in Cross Creek township, on the waters of Cross creek, before the Indians had left that part of the county. He died in 1827, leaving one son, John, married to Jane Stevenson, whose parents were also early settlers in Smith township. The following children were born to the union of John and Jane Graham: Robert, who moved to Knox County, Ohio, where he lived to an old age; Henry, who went to Ohio; Thomas, now a resident of Mt. Gilead, Ohio; John, living in Knox County, Ohio; Joseph, who followed farming in this county and resided on the old homestead in Cross Creek township Rev. E.S., of whom a sketch follows; Ann, wife of Dr. Boyd Emery, both deceased in Somerset township, this county; Mary, deceased when young; Jane, who died in early youth; Margery, Mrs. Murray; Elizabeth, wife of James Walker Of these, Thomas and Margery are yet living. The father always resided on the farm in Cross Creek township, where he died in 1830. The Grahams were active Whigs and influential citizens; they were zealous members of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, which they assisted in founding.
Rev. E.S. Graham was born in Cross Creek township, this county. He received his elementary education in the rate schools of the day, then attended Cross Creek Academy, and finally took a thorough course at Jefferson College, graduating therefrom in 1834. In 1837 he was installed as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Pigeon Creek, Washington county, where he remained until 1842 proving a very popular minister. After preaching in a heated schoolroom on one occasion, he caught a cold which terminated in bronchitis, and he then took a trip to Florida in search of health, residing at Tampa Bay for several years; he died in 1846. In the early part of his ministry he had married Sarah, daughter of John Johnson, who was born near Washington, Penn, and died a few years after her marriage leaving four children. John J., a farmer of Washington county, who moved to Kentucky, thence to Knox county, Ohio; Hannah J. a wife of James Morrison, of Mercer county, Penn; George S. whose name opens this sketch; and Sarah E., Mrs. James Maxwell, of Mercer, Penn., all now deceased except our subject.
George S. Graham, son of E.S. and Sarah (Johnson) Graham, was born December 26, 1839, in Somerset township, this county, and received a limited education in the common schools. At an early age he began working with a farmer named Stevenson (of Somerset township) and also lived for some time with Dr. Boyd Emery, of Somerset township. He then resided in Morrow county, Ohio, with an uncle, Thomas Graham, remaining there for some time, but wishing to secure a more extensive education finally returned to his native county, and entered Cross Creek Academy (where his father had also been a student) remaining in that institution one year. He then took a three-year's course at the Bethany Academical Institute, under Dr. Marshall, afterward entered Jefferson College at Canonsburg, Penn., where he was a student at the beginning of the Civil war. Young Graham enlisted Sunday, April 27, 1861, in Company D, Tenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. He was mustered in at Harrisburg, Penn., thence proceeding with his regiment to Washington, D.C. His regiment was attached to the First Army Corps, under command of General McDowell, and was later attached to the Fifth Corps, serving through the Peninsular campaign. Our subject served in all the campaigns, marches and engagements of his regiment during his term of engagement. Their first engagement was at Drainesville, Va; he remained in active service until his regiment was mustered out June 12, 1864, when he received an honorable discharge, and returned to his native county. After the war, our subject began the study of medicine and entered Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, graduating March 10, 1866. In the following June, he came to Florence, Hanover township, this county, where he has since practiced his chosen profession. On September 22, 1868, he was married to Sallie J. Tucker, who was born September 15, 1846, a daughter of David and Sarah (Watt) Tucker, of Hanover township. The following children have been born to their union: John T (deceased), Lemuel F, David S., Charles S., Bertha M., Thomas C. They have had excellent educational advantages. Dr. Graham has been a leading physician of Hanover township for many years and enjoys an extensive practice throughout the county. Politically he has for years been a leader of the Republican party in Hanover township, and has never missed an election since his residence in this county. In 1884 he was elected to the legislature, serving during 1884-85. Dr. and Mrs. Graham are active members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of the Session.
Text taken from page 185 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed January 1997 by Elizabeth Burns of Phoenix, AZ as part of the Beers Project.
Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]