The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-15

tanned position among the foremost men of
Washington. Mr.. McGraw was born at Barker
Plantation, Penobscot county. Me-, on October
4, 1850. When he was but little more than
years old his father was drowned in the Penob-
scot river. His mother was left with three
small children and, as he expresses it, ''poverty
in abundance" The outlook was not a promis-
ing one for her for her young fam
lily, and she doubtless looked upon the
future with little hope and less confidence
When young McGraw was years old his mother
married a second time. His home life after this
event was not altogether pleasant one, and
when he was IA years old he left hoGie because
OF a disagreement with his step-father This
step, which was taken with his mothers con-
sent, brought him face to face with the world
at a time when iortitude and self-reliance are
not usually numbered among boys character
tireiy upon his own exertions. Ills
equipment for the struggle before
him was not what it should have
been. His education had been acquired during
q few terms attendance at a country school, and
it WAS no more thorough than the education of
lively American boy OF IA might reasonably
be expected to be. In spite OF all disadvantages
however, he succeeded in maintaining himself,
and when he was IL years Old he employed
as manager OF a general merchandise store. lie
continued in this position FOR four years, and
then embarked in a similar business in company
with brother older than himself. This bust
ness occupied his attention for the next few
years, although it does not appear to have en-
crossed him entirely, for he was married
October Il, 1874. In the winter of IS75-76, the
firm of McGraw Brothers was numbered among
the victims of the business depression theu pre-
vailing, aud John II. was once more thrown
altogether upon his own resources. This TO-
verse disguised him with the business oppor-
tunities offered by his native state, and on July
t. 1876, he arrived in San Francisco, and five
months later. December IS 1876 he landed in
Seattle, which he had previously determined TO
make his home. Mr.. McGraw's situation ON ar
irving at Seattle was scarcely better than it had
been when he left the house of his stepfather
twelve years before. He was among strangers.
dition than is reconcilable with feelings of
comfort. He had no thought of discourage
ment, however. On the contrary. he turned
with eager hopefulness to the new life Lefore
him. His nrst employment in Seattle was
clerk at the Occidental hotel. He next kept the
American house, small hotel located near
Yesler's wharf His mlsfortunes had not ended,
however. for this hotel was destroyed by fire,
and he was again compelled to seek employ
ment He solicited and obtained position on
the police force of Seatt!e-then consisting of
four men. Mr. MeGraws fortunes were now
apparently at the lowest ebb. He doubtless
thought as he paced his beat at mid
night that his fate was hard one, ana
that he was doomed to poverty and obseurity.
In reality, however, the tide In his fortunes had
turned. favorable current had set in. I'm
knowingly he had entered upon career which
was to give him position among the foremost
men of the Pacific Northwest. His abilities at
tracted the people OF Seattle. In July, 1873
they elected him as city marshal. and the city
council also chose him chief OF police. He
filed these offices, being reelected in 1880 and
ISL, until February, 1882, when he was elected
sheriff OF King county TO NIL the unexpired term
OF L. V. Wyckof lie was reelected TO this po-
sition in November, lSs2. and again In ISL
During his third term occurred the anti-Chinese
agitation, with its accompanying disturbance of
the peace. He promptly made known his inten-
ton to uphold the laws and maintain the peace
OF the county al any cost. and 1t was owing to
this positive attitude, well as TO tact and good
judgment which he Displayed, that the city was
enabled to pass through this ordeal without a
disastrous conflict between the law-abidIng and
the law defyiug citizens. Commendabie as was
Sheriff McGraws course during this time OF ex-
element, however, il detracted seriously from
his popularity for time. He incurred the
hostility of all who sympathized with the
agitation in its lewiess phase, and when he was
nominated for reelection in November. 1856, he
was defeated, together with all the other cannt-
dates who had been nominated for eouaty offices
by his party During his occupancy OF the Office
OF sheriff, Mr.. McGraw had devoted much of
his spare time to the study OF the law, AMI had
been admitted to the bar. Shortly after his re-
tirement to private life in March, 1857 he en-
tered into partnership with Roger :. Greene,
who had formerly been chief justice OF Wash
ington territory, and C. II. Hapford, at present
United States district Judge for the district of
Washington, and began the practice of law.
shortly afterwards Joseph +. Mcknight entered
the firm, and under the name OF Greene, Han
ford, Mcknight q hcGraw, il became one Of
the foremost legal firms of Washington. Mr..
MeGraw, however, continued in the active
practice of the law for less than two
years. As the election OF 1s5s ap-
preached, his friends insisted thst he should
once more become q candidate for sheriff They
urged that IL was Necessary for him TO do this
IN order that the people might have an opp0r-
tuuity to show that in their ealmer moments
they approved his course during the anti-Chi-
nese riots, which by his former defeat they had
appeared 10 condemn. He consented to become
candidate for the ONCE. and was elected by
county was undisturDed By rot or agitation,