Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1920-04-22
PROMINENT ATTORNEY
GONE ON BEFORE

GONE ON BEFORE
WON HIGH PLACE IN LIFE BY
HIS OWN EFFORTS AND MADE
GREAT SUCCESS
j. Mel Graham, for many years a
prominent attorney of this city died
at his home shortly after the supper
hour last Thursday evening. He
had been i'll for several years. In
the hope of regaining his health he
spent much of his time at sanitari-
ums and in California, but all i'm
provements were of a temporary
nature. Last fall he went to spe-
cialist in Chicago and submitted to
blood TRANSMISSION, but this like all
other attempts gave but temporary
relief.
Three months ago he went to his
home and remained there. There
were times when there was ray Of
hope, but that was soon dispelled
when his physical condition showed
signs of weakening.
The deceased was one of the most
prominent men of the, community.
He was quiet and unassuming. He
had the happy faculty Of making
and keeping friends TO whom he was
true as steel. The community suf-
fers a distinct loss in the death Of
Mel Graham.
JAMES MELVILLE GRAHAM
No way so long but finds 1t goal.
No path SO steep for struggling
soul
But gains at last the mountains
crest
With vision bright and well earn
ed rest.
James Melville Graham, the son
of Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Graham, was
born in Monroe county, Ohio, Oc-
tober rs, 1868 and passed to the
other world as the day drew to its
close. April Is, 1920 at his home in
Audubon, Iowa. In 1871 the family
of which he was member came
westward and located in Washington
county, Iowa. In 1872 the home
was finally established in Audubon
county, Iowa. The departed grew
to manhood in Melville township on
the old farm near the center of the
township. He attended the high
school in Audubon and finished the
course with the first graduating
class in 1886. From here his edu-
cational career took him to Ames
where, after four years of diligent
study he received the degree of
Bachelor of Science in 1890. Then
he entered the Office of Judge Will
lard in Atlantic and spent the next
twelve months in the practice of
law. From there his pathway took
him to Bayard, Iowa, as principal OF
the high school for year and to the
law school of Drake university in
Des Moines, where in 1893 he re-
ceived the degree of Bachelor OF
Law.
On July 10, 1894 he was united in
marriage to Miss Catherine Grayson
Brown of Des Moines, a happy and
blissful union. Mr.. Graham began
the practice of law in Audubon in
1894. For the past twelve years
he has been associated with his
brother. John Graham. in the firm
known as Graham & Graham. He
bore his share of public duty and did
SUlTh lut T6DpUbolbttlNitc VI GA
perience and training. According
ly he was county attorney of Audu-
bon county for four years and a
member of the board of education of
the Audubon Independent District
from 1903 to 1920, period of IT
years of faithful and efficient sery-
ice.
His membership in the Masonic
order covered quite long period of
years and beside the Blue Lodge and
Chapter membership, it extended
the Godfrey Commandery in Auuu,
bon and to the Za-Ga-Zig Temple Of
the Shriners in Des Moines.
He is survived by his aged moth
er, Mrs. Ellen Hunter Graham, one
brother, John Graham. his wife,
Katherine G. Graham, his five
daughters, Lorraine, Ellen. Margar-
ct, Maxine and Catherine. One
daughter, Mabel, preceded him in
1914 to the other world. Numerous
other relatives and a host of friends
are in sorrow because of his depart
ure.
Mr.. Graham was sterling in in
tegrity and character. He was dill
igent in his profession and true to
the right. Eager for life and the
of his loved ones he made
a brave fight and was only beaten
when the odds were too great
against him. He loved his home
life and was happy in the midst of
1t. Kindly to all his friends, I'M
failing in HIS courtesy he was a true
man. Open hearted to the church,
he realized tn great value of the
truth of the Christian religion and
its worth to the human soul. He
but those that miss his presence here
can rejoince in the memory of him as
a good son, a true husband, a noble
father "a loyal citizen and friend.
Funeral services were held at the
Methodist church last Sunday after
noon, and despite the heavy down
pour OF rain, the edifice was taxed
TO its full capacity. The floral
tribute was beautiful and the larg-
est ever seen in the city. The serv-
ices were in charge of Rev. ID. J.
Shenton, the pastor. The Masons
took charge after the sermon, the
members of the X. t.. and the Blue
Lodge attending in body. Inter
ment was made in Maple Grove
cemetery.
DISTRICT COURT IN SESSION
The April term Of the Audubon
County District Court convened at
the court house Tuesday afternoon
on the arrival of Judge Rockafeliow