Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1916-03-08
DEATH GEORGE G. GRAHAM.
Well known Former Decorahian
Passed Away at Firesteel, S. ID.
Thursday.


day brought sorrow to many Decor
ahians. He had been i'll only two
days with congestion of the lungs.
The deceased was born in DEBORAH
October % 1880, and was the
youngest son of Thomas and Agnes
Graham.
When eleven years of age he start
ed work for the Chicago, Milwaukee
G. ST. Paul Railway Co. At the age "f
fifteen he became a baggageman on
the DEBORAH run, and remained on
the run for some years. Later he
went to Austin and railroaded out OF
that city, becoming a conductor III
1902. During the year 1908 he sus-
tanned an injury to his spine, which
caused paralysis, and he quit the
road and in 1910 removed to Isabel,
S. D., where he made his home un-
til Jan. 10, of this year, when he
moved to Firesteel, S. D., and took
a position as station agent. Ever
since his injury in 1908 he had held
his rights with the railroad company,
and It was so that if he ever had re-
gained his health he could take his
position again as conductor. This
one instance is evidence of the high
regard he was held in by the CON-
pany.
At the time o. the building of the
new Milwaukee extension in the west
he was one of the conductors sent
there. During the time he was at Mo-
bridge he superintended the work or
the large bridge across the Missouri.
He was united in marriage at Aus
tin, Mimi, on Sept. 26, 1906, to Misa
Mary Kimliska, who survives him,
no children being born to the union.
In the passing of George Graham
one of the finest young men we ever
had the pleasure of an acquaintance
with is gone. He was public spirited
and progressive and to know him
was to be his friend. The substan-
tial qualities which he displayed in
his business and social relations
gained him high place in the re-
gard and goodwill of his fellow citi-
zens. He was self made man in the
most noble sense of the word.
Although practically an invalid
for the past eight years he made a
heroic struggle and never gave up
until death called him. He always
lived with the hope within him tina.
he would recover his health, and be
able to resume his life's work OF
railrcading again
He leaves to mourn his loss the be-
reaved wife, mother, three brothers
and two sisters, Andrew and Walter
of Dubuque; John of Omaha; Mrs.
j. w. Miller and Miss Grace Graham
DEBORAH.
Those from away who were here
to attend the funeral were, Andrew
and Walter Graham, Dubuque; Mrs
j. d. Graham Omaha. Conductor
James Downs and wife, Mobridge;
Charles Kimlislza, London, Mimi
Charles Miller, Colman, S. D.; Thos
and Irving Woo lard and Mr. Ward
Austin, Mimi; Roger Graham, Spen-
GER; Mrs. NJ. j. Rood and Mrs
Thompson, Chicago; Conductors
Gilmartin and Bennett, Austin
Mimi; Mr.. and Mrs. Sever Severson,
Calmar.
The remains arrived in DEBORAH
Sunday night and the funeral servi-
ces were held yesterday afternoon
from the home of his mother, and
were held under the auspices of the
Masonic order, Of which he was q
valued member. Rev. NJ. Willett of
the Congregational church officiateu
at the services at the home. Burial
was in Phelps cemetery.
The deceased was also a member
Of the Odd Fellows ledge.
The following letter, which we are
pleased to publish, was received by
his mother from Rev. NJ. C. Hacker,
pastor of the First. Congregational
Church of Isabel, and it shows the
high regard in which George was
held by the people of that commu-
nifty.
March 8 1916.
Mrs. Agnes Graham,
DEBORAH, la.
Dear Mrs. Graham:-Before this
time you will have heard by the tele-
grams sent that George is no longe,
with us, and no word from me, per-
haps, can be of any help in your deep
grief and sense of loss; but l cannot
but write this line to add what OF
sympathy and consolation / can, and
add my mite of testimony to the great
worth of the dear and brave fellow
who has left us after having taught
us so many lessons of value.
| / first met George when we were
all newcomers here, and things were
getting started at Isabel. He was