The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-04
THE GRAHAM FAMILY.


THE GRAHAM FAMILY.
James Lorimer Graham, United States
consul at Florence, died in Florence, Italy.
Sunday. He was born In New York city,
January 81, 1884, and received, iu part, his
education at Amiens, France, where, when
only fourteen years old, ION account of
" his prccocious literary skill" he was Sc
lected to deliver, and did deliver, a poet-
cal address of welcome to Lamartine on
the occasion OF his visit there in 1913.
After residing for time in Rio Janero,he
returned to New York city, where he mar
ried sister of Commodore William L.
Garner, and where he resided for several
years, becoming "widely known through
his taste for art and literature, his gentle
and generous nature, and his brilliant
conversational talents" He was ap-
pointed consul'general of the United States
for Italy, about 1860. and remained as such
until the capital was removed from Flor
ence to r 1ue, when, rather than change
his place of residence, he resigned his con-
sul-generalship, and became consul at
Florence. The Tribune says "Iiis ma
ture was singularlY sweet and lovablc
he was unselHsh almost to fault; ardent
" in his attachments. placable, high-mind-
ed--in short, a man who was never so
"happy as in making others happy. No
p" one who knew him can forget him.
Probably very few in Rutland, perhaps
no one, knew Mr.. Graham, yet lie was of
Rutland family, family which, three
quarters OF century ago, was among the
most noted in the state. His grandfather,
Nathan B. Graham, was native of Wood
bury, Connecticut, but came to Rutland
sometime prior to 1890, and studied law
with his brother, John a. Graham-of
whom we shall speak presently-and was
admitted to practice at the Rutland county
bar in 1909. He commenced the practice
of his profession in Plttsford, being the
first attorney of that place, and remained
there until 1906, when he removed to Rut-
Land. He was absent in Europe some two
years, and was there married to Jean,
daughter of James Lorimer, esq, OF Lon
don. Returning to Rutland, he was judge
Of the Rutland county court from Deem
Der 1903 to December 1906, and states at
torney from the latter date until 1910, when
he removed to New York city, where he
died in 1882. He is described in Cothren's
History of Ancient Woodbury. as "a sound
"lawyer, most estimable in all the relations
/" of life, an exemplary christian and truly
"honest man. He died greatly lamented
." and beloved" He left eight children, OF
whom James Lorimcr Graham, was, for
many years, president of the Metropolitan
Fire insurance company and Nathan b.,
the father OF Consul Graham and of Robert
M. G. Graham, now president of the Met
ropolitan Insurance company.
The most noted of the family was John
A. Graham. He studied law with Edward
Human, esq, an eminent lawyer OF
Woodbury., Connecticut, and renamed
with him until the death of his father, Dr.
Andrew Graham, in 1885. Being then
twenty-one years old, and dependent upon
his own excrtions, with that energy and
promptitude which ever after character
lied him, he determined to emigrato to q
new state. He came to Rutland, then al
most, il not quite, wilderness, and decid
ing to locate here, he sent for his brolhers,
Nathan b. and William ii p, thus re-
deeming his promise to his father, to 'edu-
cate and protect them in their youth. >
He was admitted to the bar the same year,
and continued to reside In Rutland during
the remainder of his stay in Vermont. In
an old pamphlet, published many years
ago, containing the correspondence of Mr.
Graham with the archbishop of Canter-
bury, in reference to the conservation of o
bishop for Vermont, is the following in
troductory paragraph; "This place (Rut.
land) had attractions for Col. Graham
he was courteous, fluent, and not easily
intimidated he moved among this new
"people as an arJitsr elegantiarum
Sin and out of court" His professional
practice was always large. In 1904, Gov
ernor Chittenden appointed him member
Of his military staff with the rank of lieu
tenant colonel, and he was known Il,
"Colonel" Graham until that title was su
perceded by the more pretenticus one OF
doctor" During the same year, he wa.
delegate from Rutland to the Episcopa
convention, and was instrumental in pro
curing the election of his "friend," the no
torious Rev. Samuel Peters, LII. d.,
bishop of Vermont. His mission, forum
ately, was unsuccessful, and he returned
to Vermont and reported to the convention
the result of his mission, and then, again
returned to England. During this las
visit he wrote and published-in a series Of
letters to the Duke of Montrose, from
whose house he claimed descent-"A de
scriptive sketch Of the present state Of
Vermont" which was elegantly printed
on excellent paper, and "adorned" with {
fac copper plate likeness OF himself. Thu
book 10 now valuable, more for it's extreme
rarity, and the gossipy sketches of promi
nent men In the several towns, than fol-
any historical Information contained there