Evening star., 1953-05-05
Edwin {. Graham, 81,
Retired : Bank Official,
District Civic Leader

DanK omclaI ana prominent CIVIC
leader, died yesterday in Sum-
Ray Park Sanitarium, Miami,
Fla.
Mr.. Graham, formerly presi-
dent and chairman of the board
Of Hamilton National Bank,
lived at 1921 Forty fourth place
NV. until he went to Miami to
live about 1949. His Miami adj
dress was 801 NE. Seventy
second street.
Most Of Mr.. Graham's success
story, which had its beginning
on an Illinois farm, was written
In Washington. where he came
in 1891.
From the time he organized
the National Electrical Supply
Co. in 1861 firm he headed
until its sale to General Electric
Supply Co. in 1937-Mr. Graham
was always q leader. His ability
to organize. and then to admin
lister, thrust him forward as
founder and president Of busi-
ness and civic ventures alike.
Led Hamilton Bank Founding.
Probably the peak of his or
ganizational acumen was reached
during the banking holiday of
1888, when a committee he
headed raised $3.50. 900 capital
and surplus to set up the new
Hamilton National Bank. Under
his guidance as president from
its inception to october l, 1943,
and as chairman Of the board
from 1943 to June 80, 1946, the
bank expanded and thrived.
Twelve years before that Mr..
Graham won prominence in
banking circles when he was
selected director in the Federal
Reserve Bank Of Richmond, a
post he was obliged to give up
to assume the Hamilton Ma
tional presidency. Before that
he was a director of the old Fed
eral National Bank here.
He was chairman of the Bank
ing and Industrial Committee of
the Fifth Reserve District, which
sought to hasten recovery in the
latter part of the Hoover ad-
ministration.
Sold Books in College.
Born on a Warren County (Ill.)
farm. June 81, 1871, Mr.. Graham
was a transplanted Iowan three
years later. The education he
picked up between farm chores
was won the hard way. Even
after he entered Iowa State Col
lege he found life complicated
by such excursions as peddling
Rand McNally's ATLAS of the
World" to isolationist midwest
erners.
The finishing touch on his edu-
cation was furnished by the
Spencerian Business College here
"a short course In accountancy
and stenography.
Shortly thereafter he joined
the electrical contracting firm of
Royce & Marean, and at the age
Of % was manager of the COM
pany.
Mr.. Graham's interest in the
Capitals welfare kept pace with
his own rise. In 1901 he joined
the Board Of Trade and from
1907 to 1914 was on it's board of
directors almost continuously ex-
cept for intermissions between
elections. He served as president
for the fiscal year starting April
1927, served as first and second
vice president, and on virtually
all the committees from time to
time. ~
Headed War Fund.
One of the organizers Of the
Community Chest, he served as
it's president in 1892. During the
war he was drafted" to serve as
general chairman Of the Com
munity War Fund during it's
four-year life. Under his chair
manship more than SIT million
was raised IN the 1942-45 War
Fund drive. When the War Fund
drive was dissolved February l3,
1947. he at last found an oppOr-'
tunity to retire.
Before that he had left his
imprint on another phase of
civic life as member and presi-
dent Of the Board of Education.
He served as q member from
october 20. 1920 to February II,
1927, the last 18 months as presi-
dent. .rj
Mr.. Graham was credited with
founding the Commercial Club
and becoming its first president.
When that organization was sup
planted by the City Club in 1921,
Mr.. Graham was president. He
presided at the club building
cornerstone-laying ceremonies, at
which Calvin Coolidge. then Vice
President, was the speaker.
Member of Many Clubs.
Mr.. Graham'S fraternal and
civic interests seemed limitleSs.
At one time or another. they in
cluded the Rotary Club, Congress
sional Country Club, University
Club. National Press Club, CO.
rinthian Yatch Club, and Elks
Club. He was a charter member
of Temple Noyes Masonic Lodge
and a member of st. Adams
Church.
He also served at one time as |
a director Of the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association and
the Chamber of Commerce.
Interested in voteless WASH
ington. he was once treasurer Of |
the Citizens Joint Committee on |
National Representation.
He had served as a director of |
the Capital Transit Co, the Con-
tinental Hotel, the Chesapeake |
& Potomac Telephone Co. and |
the Acacia Mutual Life Insur-
ance Co.
Mr.. Graham's contribution to |
civic life was recognized in jan
uary, 1882, when he was pre-