Biographical Sketch of

John McCullough Graham

Transcribed by Robert Schieber

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, 
Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 715 - 716


John McCullough Graham, an influential citizen of Friendship, Adams county, Wisconsin, is living in practical 
retirement, in the enjoyment of the means which he has gathered during a  career of industry, business sagacity, 
and conscientious integrity rarely met with in the modern business and political world.

John McCullough Graham was born in Brown township, Carroll county, Ohio, September 22, 1832, son of James and 
Elizabeth (Seaton) Graham, both natives of Ireland, the former born in county Down, and the latter in county 
Tyrone.  He came to America while a boy, and lived for some years in Philadelphia, working as a drayman.  He 
also spent a few years in the manufacture of snuff in the state of Delaware, and in 1831 he removed to Ohio, 
where he was employed in a grist-mill.  He died in Ohio in 1856, aged sixty-six years.  He preceded his parents 
in coming to America, having arrived in this country about the year 1800, they following a few years later and 
locating in Delaware.  James Graham had accompanied an uncle, James Graham, on his voyage to this country.  The 
mother of our subject came to the United States in 1799, with her father, Ezekiel Seaton, who lived a number of 
years in Philadelphia, where he conducted a hotel.  Later the family moved to Carroll county, Ohio.  Mrs. 
Elizabeth Graham died in Ohio in 1837.

James McCullough Graham left home at ten years, and began to earn his own living at farm labor.  At the age of 
twenty years he began to engage in other occupations, and in 1868, he came to Wisconsin, and the following 
spring located in Jackson township, Adams county.  There he followed farming until 1892, hen he retired from 
active work and took up his residence in Friendship.  He performed the duties of county treasurer for six years, 
two years of which he acted as deputy treasurer.  He was for many years one of the leading business men of Adams 
county, and still takes much interest in business and public affairs, though his active attentions are given 
chiefly to his farm.  He voted for Fremont in 1856 for the presidency, since which time he has been a consistent 
Republican.  He has always enjoyed in a large measure the confidence and esteem of the people of his community 
and county.  He has held most of the local public offices.

Mr. Graham was married in 1855 to Rebecca Totten, daughter of Samuel and Rachel Totten.  She was born in Carroll 
county, Ohio, and her parents were originally from Maryland.  To Mr. and Mrs. Graham seven children were born, 
namely: Scott Totten, now conducting the homestead farm; Maggie I., now Mrs. S. K. Bement, of Adams county; Samuel 
R., of New Rockford, North Dakota; Eva R. now Mrs. William A. Crothers, of Jackson county; Frank R., member of the 
First North Dakota Volunteers, recently returned from the Phillipines; John Stanton, Annette, Pennsylvania; and 
Clyde, of Friendship, Wisconsin.  There are also five grandchildren.  Mrs. Graham is a member of the Disciples 
Church.

Scott Totten Graham, the eldest child of John McCullough Graham and Rebecca (Totten) Graham, was born in Columbiana 
county, Ohio, June 26, 1862.  he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin in 1869, and at the age of twenty-one years 
began life for himself as a farmer.  In 1886 he went to Macedonia, Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where he followed 
farming for ten years.  He then returned to Wisconsin, and has since manage the old home farm.  This farm consists 
of two hundred and eighty acres, substantially improved for the successful prosecution of agriculture, and he has 
succeeded admirably in general farming and stock raising.  His attention  has been given largely to the breeding 
of better grades of stock.  His farm in all parts shows evidence of thorough husbandry and a keen conception of 
the needs of modern farm life.

Scott T. Graham was married February 18, 1891, to Mill Molly L. Clayton, daughter of William and Mary Clayton, of 
Pottawattamie county, Iowa.  She is a native of Nicholas county, Kentucky.  To this union two children have been 
born, namely:  E. Maud and John Clayton.

Mr. Graham is a member of the Macedonia Lodge, No. 422, I. O. O. F.  In political views he is a Republican, and 
takes an active interest in all matters of public nature.


Transcribed by Robert Schieber






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