Dade County FlArchives Biographies.....Graham, Walter S. April 28, 1857 - June 18, 1911
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Nancy Rayburn http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006128 February 2, 2016, 11:23 pm

Source: Vol. II  pg.164  The Lewis Publishing Co. 1923
Author: History of Florida, Past and Present  

	Dr. WALTER SUMNER GRAHAM. The community of Miami should hold in lasting 
and affectionate memory the name and service of the late Dr. WALTER SUMNER 
GRAHAM. He was not only a pioneer in point of time, but an originator and 
citizen of constructive purpose and worth. His unusual talents enabled him to 
adorn several professions. He was an able physician, a lawyer, a journalist, 
and was founder of Miami’s first newspaper.
	He was born at Rahway, New Jersey, April 28, 1857, of Scotch ancestry.
His father, Hon. WALTER GRAHAM, was a newspaper editor, and stood high in that
profession and in public affairs. He made an exceptionally good record as
United States Consul at Cape Town, South Africa. The late Doctor Graham lived
for four years at Cape Town, and had many memories of his early experience
there.	
	After the death of WALTER GRAHAM in 1869, his widow removed with her
family to Philadelphia. At that time WALTER SUMNER GRAHAM was twelve years of
age. He finished his education in Philadelphia, graduated from the Hahnemann
Medical College in 1883, and two years later in 1885 he came to Florida. His
first home was at Orlando, where he practiced medicine about a year. In the
meantime he became editor and publisher of the Orlando Record. He sold his
interest to that paper when he removed to Titusville in 1886, and there formed 
a partnership with Hon. GEORGE M. ROBBINS for the practice of law and handling
real estate. Mr. Graham was admitted to the Florida bar in 1888. In 1890 he
established the East Coast Advocate in Titusville in association with CHARLES
H. WALTON, but sold his interest to his partner 6 years later.
	Miami came into corporate existence in 1896, the year the Florida East
Coast Railway was completed to that point. In the same year the firm of Robbins
& Graham established a branch office at Miami, and Doctor Graham came here to
take active charge. This firm was dissolved in 1900, and soon afterward Doctor
Graham formed a partnership with S. L. PATTERSON. He continued the practice of
law and handling real estate until he retired in order to live more in the open.
	After a life of wide experience and of great usefulness and public 
service, a life filled with thoughtful good deeds to his fellow man and tender 
watchfulness for the happiness of the ones he loved, Dr. WALTER SUMNER GRAHAM 
died June 18, 1911, at the age of fifty-four.
	The firm Robbins & Graham held the first deed for the conveyance of 
property in Miami. This was a record of the purchase of two lots when they 
established Miami’s first newspaper, the Metropolis, of which Doctor Graham was 
editor for about two years. The paper was founded in 1896; Doctor Graham is 
given credit for naming Miami “The Magic City.” Both in Titusville and in Miami 
he served as a councilman, and had the distinction of writing the first
ordinance for Miami and for three years was city attorney. He was a Knight
Templar Mason and Shriner and a communicant of the Episcopal Church.
	Doctor Graham married Miss MARION WADDELL, a native of Philadelphia.
Mrs. Graham is now living in Florida and had the following children: JOHN, born
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; WALTER ROBBINS, deceased; RALPH and HAROLD. The
three latter were born in Titusville, Florida.
	HAROLD S. GRAHAM since early youth has been in merchandising, and he is
secretary and treasurer of the Fuzzard Hardware Company of Miami. HAROLD S.
GRAHAM, whose home is at 1251 Southwest First Street at Riverside Heights,
married Miss HATTIE A. TERRY of Miami, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. FRED L. TERRY.
Mr. and Mrs. Graham have two handsome young sons, HAROLD, Jr., and TERRY GRAHAM.


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