Biography - WILLIAM DWIGHT GRAHAM

During his entire life a resident of Carlinville, Dr. William Dwight Graham, now deceased, is remembered as one of the most popular citizens of Macoupin county — a man who never shirked responsibility and who faithfully performed his part as an earnest, conscientious and patriotic citizen. He was born in Carlinville, November 28, 1847, a son of Milo and Hannah (Dugger) Graham. The father was a native of Connecticut and the mother of Kentucky. They both belonged to pioneer families and were reared at Carlinville.

The father of our subject learned the tailor’s trade but went into the drug business at Carlinville and was identified with that business during the remainder of his life. He was three times married, his first wife being Hannah Dugger, who died in 1851. She was the mother of twelve children, three of whom grew to maturity: Susan Savilla, who married Captain George Hunter; Mary, who was twice married, her first husband being Samuel Berry, who died at Carlinville, and her second husband, Simon Peter; and William Dwight, of this review. The second wife of Mr. Graham was Mrs. Ann (Valentine) Boring, and there were five or six children born to this union, one of whom survives — Effie F., who is now the wife of Fred Curtis. The third wife of Mr. Graham was Sophia Applegate. He died in 1884, at the age of sixty-three years, and is buried in the cemetery at this city.

William D. Graham grew up under the parental roof and after attending the public schools became a student of Blackburn University. Having determined to devote his energies to the practice of medicine, he pursued the study at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and also in Philadelphia. He practiced successfully for a time in Carlinville and then entered the drug business with his father, subsequently becoming the owner of the store. He entered into partnership with his step-brother A. M. Boring and the business was conducted under the title of Graham & Boring for a number of years. Dr. Graham then entered the grocery business but later bought out Mr. Boring in the drug business and associated with his son William R. Graham, who still continues in charge of the store. This business has been in the family without interruption for fifty-six years.

On the 29th of July, 1869, Dr. Graham was married to Miss Mary A. Rice, a daughter of Hiram J. and Sarah M. (Andrews) Rice. To this union three children were born. Florence, the eldest, married Howard O. Tally and has one child, Josephine. Frank engaged in the railroad business and died January 30, 1905. He was married to Elizabeth Regelman and they had five children, Frank William, Mary Agnes, Clarence H., Margaret M. and Catharine T. William R., the youngest of the children of Dr. and Mrs. Graham, is a pharmacist and druggist and was his father’s successor in business. He married Lou Graves and they have two daughters, Irene and Susan L.

Mrs. Mary A. Graham was born on a farm six miles south of Carlinville and made her home there until ten years of age. She then went to Hillsboro and lived with an uncle. Judge Edward Y. Rice. Later she attended the Sacred Heart convent in St. Louis and St. Agnes Hall, a school for young ladies at Terre Haute, Indiana. After her marriage she took up her residence at Carlinville, which has since been her home. Her father died on the old homestead south of Carlinville in 1880, after reaching the age of seventy-two years, and her mother died in 1895, also aged seventy-two. They had four children: Mary A., who became the wife of Dr. William Dwight Graham; Florence M.; Frank A.; and Clarence R. The grandfather of Mrs. Graham on the paternal side was Francis Rice, who was born in North Carolina. He moved to Kentucky and was married in that state, but on account of his disapproval of slavery he came to Illinois in 1833 and settled in Macoupin county. His wife was Mary H. Gooch. They had a family of eleven or twelve children. The grandfather of Mrs. Graham on the maternal side was Robert Andrews. He was a native of Scotland and came to America and settled near Brighton, Illinois, where he spent the remainder of his life.

Dr. Graham died November 16, 1906, having arrived at the age of fifty-nine years lacking twelve days. He served for nearly three years as member of the One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war and in the army as during his entire active life was always found at the post of duty. Socially he belonged to the Court of Honor and the Royal Americans and politically he gave his earnest support to the republican party. A man of broad mind, pleasing manners and charitable disposition, he made friends readily and his memory will ever be venerated by all who' had the honor of his acquaintance. Mrs. Graham has for over forty-two years been a resident of Carlinville and because of her estimable traits of character enjoys the unqualified regard and esteem of the entire community.

Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 355-357.