The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
AUGUSTUS
v, GRAHAM
A Leading Member of the Bar
of the State of North
Carolina.
A PROMINENT DEMOCRAT
Believes More in Practic ng his Profession than
in Holding Offices. Several of
n Which He Has Refused.

Augustus Washington Graham, the
seventh son Of William Alexander Ora
ham and Susan Washington Graham,
was born in Hillsboro on the Sth Of June,
1870 He was early sent to school to
the Misses Nash and Kolloch, then to
DR. Alexander Wilson, and later to
the University OF North Carolina,
whence he was graduated in 1868. lie
studied law under his father ut Hills
boro and was admitted to the bar in
1872.
As. lawyer he was successful right
from the first, and built up magnificent
practice, a fact not to be wondered at
in view of his great powers of intellect
and character.
In politics he has always been a con-
sistent, loyal and faithful Democrat,
ever ready to serve his party, but not
always willing to accept Office, prefer
ring his law practice He was chair
man of the Democratic Committee of
Orange county for fourteen years. He
was secretary of the board of arbitration
between the States of Maryland and
Virginia in 1S75-'76. He was State
Senator in 1885 for the district compos-
ing Orange. Durham, Person and Cas-
well counties.
He moved to Oxford in 1883 and
formed a partnership with the Hon. r..
W. Winston. In 1895 he was appoint
ed Judge of the Superior Court Of the
Fifth district, which office he held for
two years, and declined to stand for
denomination. He was appointed the
first secretary of the Civil Service Com
mission, but declined to accept it, but
agreed to name the man for the office,
who was Mr.. VIM. S. Roulhec, of Dur
ham, upon whose death he was again
urged to accept the place, but still de-
clined.
While ON the bench he presided at
the trial of the FIRE bugs at Kinston, and
also of the insurance swindlers at Beau
fort, who had written up lot of people
whose names could only be found on
tombstones, or could not be found at
all, and committed all sorts of insur-
ance frauds on the people.
Under CleYeland's first administration
he was rendered the office of chief of one
of the most important bureaus of the
Treasury Department, but declined in
order to remain at his law work and
help to build up the State, preferring
his important practice to public office.
In addition to having a lucrative pr,~-
tice he has always paid attention to
mining matters. securing the investment
of capital Of Northern men in copper
mines in Granville and Person counties.
This is another way in which he has
helped to build up his section, by bring
ing money into it.
In 1898 he was unanimously nominated
for the State Senate, but owing 30 press
ing business engagements was compelled
to decline, although he took an active
part in the campaign, as he has always
done as a citizen of the county, con-
sidering this part of his duty.
On November q. 1876, he married
Miss Lucie, the eldest daughter of
James II. Horner, the founder of Hor-
ner's School, and has five children, of
whom three are still living. Socially
Judge Graham is a charming man, and
is justly popular with all who are for
tunate enough to know him.