The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-13
HON. ". A. GRAHAM
Sketch of the Life of the
Great North Caro-
Iinian.

"a paper read by William H. Harrison
before the Oxford Atheneum on Nov. 10,
1908, and published by request of that
society,"
claim to have produced large number
OF great men.Of these a large number
born and reared in the State have made
their home in other states, and there
achieved fame and fortune. \ great
many have remained at home and have.
here shed lustre on their native State.
OF the latter class there are none, per.
haps, more prominent than the subject
OF this sketch, Hon. VIM. A. Graham.
William Alexander Graham was born
on Sept. 9Th, 1904. in the county of Lin
coln On his fathers side he was Scotch
irish his ancestors having emigrated
from Scotland to Ireland prior to their
coming to America His father, Gen.
Joseph Graham is well known character
in history, being famous for the part he
took in the American Revolution. Wheel
er, in his history of North Carolina, pays
General Graham high tribute for the
gGllantry and efficiency he displayed in
that immortal struggle. Governor Ora
hams maternal grandfather was Major
John Davidson, who was one of the sign
ers of the Mecklenburg declaration OF
independence, and was one of the prime
movers in the convention which drafted
this declaration which has she'd so much
glory on North Carolina in her resistance
of oppression and fight for liberty For
among the distinguished men of their
sections.
Mr.. Graham's education began in the
country schools of his native county
Later he entered the academy at States
vile. n. c., which was under the manage
ment of Rev. Muchat, a distinguished
educator. He next attended school at
the old Hillsboro academy where he fin
ished his preparation for college, ente"
ing the University of North Carolina in
1920. at the early age of sixteen. Nh
Graham early gave promise of great
career. At the University his record was
one of which any young man might feel
proud, both in his studies and in his
department. He neglected none of the
regular course and obtained the highest
marks in every department, thus laying
broad and deep the foundation for future
usefulness. His college life was model
one, as he was prompt and scrupulously
careful to conform to all the requirements
OF the college; and, being kind and polite
to everybody, was a favorite both with
the faculty and students Upon his grad
uation Prof. Olmstead, a noted scientist
then n the faculty of the institution
r. marked that HE could fill any chair
in the University with entire satisfac
ton" In the class in which ne gradu-
Led were a number Of men who after
yards won distinction. Many years after
he left college, when he was in the FIJI!
more Cabinet, his old professor aui
friend, Olmstead, wrote him: 1T has
often been a source of pleasing reflection
to me, that was permitted to bear some
part in fitting you, in early life, for that
elevated post of honor and usefulness to
which Providence has conducted you
After leaving the University Mr. Ora
ham travelled several months in the west.
He spent several days in Kentucky, and.
while in that state, enjoyed the priyi-
lege OF hearing Mr.. Crittenden the great
lawyer, in a famous criminal case II
was this incident, perhaps, which caused
HIM to adopt the law as his pl ofession
Mr.. Graham commenced the study of
law IN the summer of 1924 under Judge
Ruffin. He obtained his county court Ii
ctpse in 1926, and appeared for the frs,
time in Orange court in August of the
same summer. One year later he obtained
his superior court license. At first h.
was undecided as to where he would 10,
cate to practice his profession Thor,
We're several reasons why it would have,
been of advantage for him to have To-
Gated in his native county of Lincoln.
Among them was the fact that he had
many friends there and that his relatives
there were prominent and able to help
him. He finally decided, however. to To-
cate at Hillsborough, having obtained a
start there and having made the acquaint
ance and gained the friendship of MANY
OF the leading members of the Orange
bar. The great array of eminent law
yers who practiced at that bar might
have awed less able and less dauntless
character than Mr.. Graham; but they
seemed only to inspire him. There were
at that time practicing at the Orange
bar, Archibald d. Murphy, Thomas Ruff
fin. Willie p Mangum, Francis L. Hawks,
Frederick Nash, Geo. E. Badger. VIM H
Haywood, Bartlett Yancey and others