The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-07
Col. Graues Is Honored On
 Birthday

WHiEN ,lds the history y of n Birminghsm ii y,s,,
 toned with more honor or more tenderness than that of Colonel w. H. Graves, who, today, is celebrating his ninety-first birthday. He is with his daughter, Mrs. Harrison s. Matthews, and-AIr. Matthews, on Beach street at the Richard w. Massey home, where they have been residents this summer, but other members of his family are also with them.
 Colonel Graves is an author, lawyer, financier and above all else a gentle man of the old school. Colonel and Mrs. Graves were outstanding figures ill the social world of the late eighties in Birmingham, coming here from Montgomery, where their colonial man. sion was noted for its lavish hospital | ity during the girlhood of their daugh- ter, Ellie Graves, now Mrs. Harrison Stewart Matthews. They lived over on Fifth avenue when they first came to Birmingham and then occupied the colonial home of the late William ] Berney on the corner of Sixth avenue and Twentieth street, when their daugh- ter, Mary Virginia (Mrs. Frederick Gunster) and Florida (Mrs. Edward | woman of her day was a more gracious and accomplished hostess than Mrs. Graves, and no man deserved more that description He ever bears without abuse that grand old name of gentle man." It has been great pleasure to Birmingham this summer that he chose to come here with his daughter and spend the season. It is a matter of congratulations to hundreds of Ala bamians and to all those who know Colonel Graves, that he has passed his ninety-first birthday and is still hale and hearty. Memories here are very dear to him-and memories of the old days in Birmingham when his home was the mecca of society on many oc- casions, are recalled with sweetest thoughts by the many who have been entertained there. One of the mansions of the city out near Glen Iris park, was erected by Colonel Graves. It was there that Miss Mary Virginia Graves was married to Frederick Gunster at one of the most beautifully appointed home weddings in the history of society here exquisite decorations-a seated cham paigne supper served in courses after the manner of Mrs. Graves, who was past grand master at hospitality of the | SrdDue udIne SlNl le anu tlc history Ol the old south. Colonel Graves as usual bore himself with such dignity and sweetness that he was an outstanding figure Tall, of commanding statue, and unusual personality-cultured and gracious, it is no wonder that 20 many congratulations are expressed and so many more perhaps felt but unexpress- ed on this, the beginning of his ninety second year.
 Although much of his early life was passed in Montgomery and he is na- tive Virginian, perhaps the richest and fullest year of this beloved Birmingham ham citizens life have been lived in Birmingham.
 Colonel Graves was one of the first industrial leaders to recognize the great future and the vast potentialitieS of this district. He was a prominent factor in its development and fame some forty years ago and until his retirement from active business.
 During his later years of leisure from active business affairs, Colonel Graves has devoted his time to literature. He has been an omnivorous reader, pre- speare and of Robert Burns As tn author he also won appreciation writing the "Junius Letters" in his eighty second year and receiving the encon- inns of scholars throughout the country. Colonel Graves~is the oldest living member of the Phi Delta Theta fra ternity and one of the oldest alumni of William and Mary college of Virginia.