The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1909-01-16
Was the Oldest Pioneer of
LexingtOn..Lived Here
7S Years.
FACTOR IN TOWN GROWTH
Was Prominently Identified With Business
Development of Lexington Helped
Build Methodist Church.


John Andrew Graham died at his
home on Highland avenue and Main
streets Friday evening at $40,
Death was due to old age aud came
after an illness of about ten days
His passing away deprives Lexington
of one of its most venerable char
acters and, though not a surprise, is
mourned throughout the community.
Mr.. Graham was a direct descend
ant of one of the three Graham
brothers who came to this country
trom Scotland before the Revolution
ary war. He was son of the late
General j. H, Graham. He was born
in Russellville. Kentucky, on March
25, 1928, and at the age of three came
to Lexington with his parents. That
was in 1881, when Lexington consisted
Of few log cabins in what is now
called Old Town and the ground upon
which the main portion of the city
now stands was wilderness.
The elder Mr.. Graham became ac-
tive in the political development of
the state and in 1888 vas made a
bngadier general in the militia un-
der Governor Boggs. He commanded
Expeditions against the Usage In
hians and the Mormans.
Uuder the guiding hand of this
sturdy pioneer the son grew to man.
hood and became well-known through
out this section. Atau early age he
learned the trade of tinsmith and
coppersmith. HE took active part n
building Lexington and erected the
building which is now the home OF
the Gratz Brothers clothing store.
He was familiar with every steI
made in the progress of the city from
the time when it was wilderness NJ
toits present state of municipal ex'
cellence. He was a prominent ant
successful business man and had the
universal respect of with whom he
came in contact.
Neither he nor his father took ac
tive part in the Civil war for they were
Union men and yet were identified
with the southern people in feelings
aud interests.
On November 26, 1851, Mr.. Graham
was married to Miss Lucinda Eliza
beth Hale, a daughter of the late
Mr.. and Mrs. Street Hale and sistei
TO james Hale of this city. Mrs
Graham was always a faithful anC
devoted wife, and until her death OF
September 18th, 1908, she was
great source of help and strength
to her husband. Grief over her los
undoubtedly hastened his death
though he bore his bereavement
bravely and, for the most part, II
silence.
For more than fifty years, Mr.. Ora
BIN was a staunch member of thu
Methodist Episcopal church and wa
a member of the boart when, IN 1860
the present church building waserect
ed. No one in Lexington was mor'
highly esteemed or more thorough,
respected. He was well informed
modest, generous and possessed of al
the highest attributes ofhuman char
acter. His was familiar figure ol
the streets of Lexington and its alb
sence will be keenly felt. His dealt
marks the departure of grand oil
man after long life Of usefulness.
Mr.. Graham is survived by a son
Albert c. Graham Of Austin, Texas
zne daughter, Mrs. John p Har
sam Of this city.
The funeral took pl c
Sunday Afternoon at tw,
O'Clock from the Methodist church
Rev. T. N Cobb, assisted by Rev. Q
NJ. Hickman, conducted the SCI
vices. Interment was in Machpelah