1902 Biographies
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GRAHAM, SARAH J. Widow of James H. Graham: born in Highland County, Ohio, January 6, 1833, where she received a common school education. Her parents were John and Delilah (Bevans) Ruse, the former born in Virginia, the latter in Pennsylvania. She was married to Mr. Graham in Mercer County, Illinois, November 22, 1850. Her husband was born in Highland County, Ohio, in August, 1828, and died December 17, 1882. They had ten children: Elmer, Graham, Oliver, Rufus (deceased), James H., Thomas (deceased), Oris T., Lucian L., and two who died in infancy. Elmer married Ella Conklin, Oliver married Alice Reed. Oris T. married Katie Murphy. James H. married Jennie Taylor. Mr. Graham owned over four hundred acres of land, the result of hard labor since 1848, when he came to Elmwood Township. He held the office of Road Commissioner for several terms, and was also School Director. He was one of the influential men of the township. His son, Elmer, has been School Director for several terms. Mrs. Graham moved from the farm to the city of Elmwood in 1888. In politics Mr. Graham was a Republican. (Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, 1902, page 692, submitted by Robin O'Neill)
GRAY, REV. DAVID H. Clergyman M. E. Church and Proprietor of Canning Factory, Elmwood: born in Baltimore County, Maryland, May 29, 1838; educated at Evanston, Illinois. His parents were James and Mary (Johnston) Gray, born in Belfast, Ireland. Rev. Mr. Gray followed his vocation as minister of the M. E. Church for thirteen years in connection with the Illinois Central Conference, being stationed at the following places: Milan, Abington, Galesburg, Pontiac, Normal and Trivoli. His health became impaired, and he began farming and fruit raising, and later went into the canning business at Elmwood. In 1887, his son, Edwin, after graduating from school in Chicago, returned home and entered into business with is father. They put out each year 200,000 cans of corn and 100,000 cans of tomatoes, and employ some thirty-five men. Mr. Gray was married to Amanda A. Pierce, in Lake County, Illinois, November 1, 1864. They had seven children: William P., born June 27, 1866; died July 13, 1867; Mary Luretta, born March 20, 1868; Edwin I., born April 4, 1869; Herbert P., born September 3, 1873, died February 3, 1877; Mabel, born August 8, 1880, died September 20, 1881; and Ralph W., born July 13, 1887. Mrs. Gray was born in Troy, New York, December 27, 1843. She was the daughter of Rev. William W. and Amelia Pierce: the former born in Massachusetts; the latter in Vermont. Rev. Mr. Pierce was a member of the Troy Conference for eighteen years. (Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, 1902, page 692, submitted by Robin O'Neill)
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