Graham - George W. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Praise is always due to merit and especially where merit is the product of unassisted energy and perseverance. The self-made man commands our highest respect. Those struggles by means of which he has risen from obscurity to honorable distinction cannot fail to enlist sympathy and call forth the warmest applause. The record of a life well spent, of triumph over obstacles, of perseverance under difficulties and steady advancement from a modest beginning to a place of honor and distinction in the commercial world, presents an example worthy of emulation and is of value to the rising generation. On the roster of the names of those who were prominently identified with the growth and development of Crawfordsville and Montgomery County, that of the late George W. Graham merits a place of honor.

From his young manhood until his death he was a resident of this city and during these years his energies were effectively directed along normal lines of business enterprise through which he made distinct contribution to the progress of this favored section of the commonwealth. His life was one of signal integrity and usefulness and such was his association with business and civic affairs in Crawfordsville that it is eminently proper that a record of his strenuous, varied, useful and honorable career he perpetuated in this publication. George W. Graham was born at Piedmont, Va, on April 30, 1857 and was the son of James & Catherine Graham. He was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools of the same neighborhood, applying himself very closely to his text books.

In the year 1872, he came to Muncie, IN and there began his business career by learning the trade of a jeweler with an uncle. In 1875, Mr. G. came to Crawfordsville and for a time was in the employ of a cousin, M. C. KLEIN, with whom he entered into partnership a short time afterwards. In the early 90s, Mr. Graham, having by this time a good start, associated himself with his father-in-law, David F. McCLURE, in the dry goods business, with which line of endeavor he was very successfully identified up to the time of his death. Some years after forming the partnership, McClure retired from the business and thereafter Mr. Graham conducted the store alone, with continued gratifying results until Jan 1, 1908, when the business was incorporated under the name of The George W. Graham Company, under which name it is still being conducted, and is one of the best known firms of its kind in this section of the state. Starting in as a strictly dry goods store, the business was gradually broadened in scope until it included many departments and the "Busy Store" became one of the largest and best known department stores in Western Indiana, an enormous annual business being done, and their thousands of well pleased and satisfied customers were drawn from a radius of many miles. Intense application, unswerving determination, resourcefulness, business foresight marked Mr. Graham; also energy and capacity for work were among his most notable characteristics and his untiring devotion to his business was in a large measure undoubtedly responsible for the breaking down of his health. Mr. Graham had unbounded faith in Crawfordsville and in the development of this city he was important factor his personal efforts and influence being at all times given to movements for the advancement of the best interests of the community. His integrity was of that staunch character that at once inspired confidence and his business ability had been so unmistakably demonstrated that his advice was frequently sought by others.

Aside from his store, Mr. Graham was also associated with D. W. ROUNTREE in the buying and shipping of wool, in which they were successful. For a third of a century, Mr. Graham was numbered among the best citizens of Crawfordsville, for even in his younger days his life was such as to give promise of his later success and prosperity, he being in his later years recognized as one of the leading merchants of the state. His death occurred on September 7, 1908, just at the time when he was realizing the fruition of his plans in business and when life seemed to him brighter than ever before.

The "Busy Store" is now under the management of Mrs. Graham, who has shown business qualifications of the highest order and who is successfully carrying forward the work so auspiciously inaugurated by her husband. On September 21, 1878, occurred the marriage of George W. Graham and Nancy F. McClure, the daughter of David F. McClure, who is represented elsewhere in this work. To this union was born one daughter, now Mrs. Elizabeth LINN who, with her mother, survive. Mr. Graham was a man of rare business ability by nature, and most of the great success which attended the noted store with which he was connected was directly due to his untiring efforts, whose absolute devotion to his business and untiring and persistent efforts were the subject of comment among those who were cognizant of his daily life. He was also a man who possessed strong domestic tastes and was very devoted to his home and family, finding his greatest enjoyment therein. The time-honored order of Free & Accepted Masons found in Mr. Graham an appreciative member and he held membership in all the bodies of the York Rite, including Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery, having served as eminent commander of the last named body. He was also a prominent member of the Supreme Tribe of Ben-Hur, in the original organization of which he took a prominent part and was the first past chief of Simonides Court. Politically, he gave his support to the Republican party, though he was never a seeker after public office of any nature. Kindly and genial in his relations with others, Mr. Graham easily made friends and all who came in contact with him were inspired with feelings of respect and admiration, for "he stood four square to every wind that blew," and was ever true to every trustee reposed in him, besides being a genial, companionable obliging gentleman of never failing courtesy - typed by kbz