St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-11-08

health; but generally he appeared to be
from twenty to thirty years younger
than he was. His tall, massive form
has for quarter of a century
or more been about the most familiar
figure at the Merchants hotel. Coll.
DeGraff and Col. Allen were a pair no
one could see and ever forget. Col.
Allen, still living, was Col. DeGraf's
junior by eleven years, but, although he
is still sprightly and apparently many
years younger than he is. Col. DeGratf,
up to the past three or four years,
looked almost younger than he did.
The two were fast friends; both were
iokers of the wittiest type. and they
naturally were always magnetic CEN
tral figures wherever seen.
The break has not come for Col. Allen.
He is still possessed of youthful spirit;
but the break came for Col. De Graft
nearly five years ago. Up to that time
he was wit and joker, with only Col.
Allen for a rival; then his mind seemed
to give away, and his many old friends,
with Col. Allen as leader. excused his
vagarics with quiet dignity that
caused all the others to realize the situa-
ton and regard the falling old man with
reverence.
No one could see Col. De Graft, even
in his broken condition, and not realize
that he was one among many thousands
"a man marked by nature with force
and keen and broad insight. He was
man of affairs. No one could see him
and not realize that he was, or had
been. Standing considerablyover six feet
tall, with square, broad shoulders, pos
sessing handsome, strong. magnetic
countenauce, clear, keen eyes, rather
heavy eyebrows, hair black and only
tinged with gray even to his dying day,
he was a most commanding figure
wherever seen. Up to his last appear
ance walking about,eve in his declined
condition of mind, he stood as straight
as an arrow, and seemed to thrill with
the inspiration of youth.
For more than fifty years he was a
great organizer of great schemes, such
as of railroads, elevator projects, etc.
He began in Ohio, and came eventually
to Minnesota, not giving up his prodig-
ious schemes in the former state. At
stockholder in great projects in both
Ohie and Minnesota and in several other
states.
The funeral arrangements are not yet
made.
More in Detail.
Andrew De Graft, or Col. De Graft, as
he has always familiarly been called,
has long been an important figure in
the Northwest. All that region tribu-
tary to the Mississippi owes much OF its
present prosperity to the shrewd fore
sight of Col. DE Graft, who was quick
to perceive the necessity OF railroads
for the rapid transportation Of the rich
products of this fertile region. Under
his able generalship lines Of rail were
constructed all over this entire district,
and over thirty years ago Col. Ce Graft
received the well-earned title of ''Rail-
road King Of Ohio"
Col. De Graf was born near Amster-
dam. Schenectady county, N. Y, in the
Mohawk valley, Oct. 81. 1911, land In this
region the De Graft family has had its
domlcile for over 200 years. In 1881 he
assisted Messrs. Swat and Vedder in
building the Utica & Schenectady rail-
road. Three years later he superin-
tended the construction of the Norwich
d Worcester railroad. He afterwards
purchased Mr.. Vedder's interest aud
finished this line In 1859. During the
four years that followed. he built the
Attica & Buffalo and also the Attica
& Batavia railroads.
!. Within half century this notable
xrow into large and fmbertaIit cities.
Under his Watchfui eye thinly settled
territories have grown into great and
pcpulous cQmmonwealths. His field Of
operation In the way Of railroad CON.