Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Graves, William M. 1828 - 1903
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Author: B. F. Bowen (1904)

WILLIAM M. GRAVES.

   Investigation into the history of most of the successful and prominent
business men of the country will show that they are what the world calls
self-made. It is one of the glories of our republic that this is so; that labor
is not hampered by caste or class, but that opportunity is open to all and that
faithfulness, energy and persistency of purpose form a sure foundation upon
which to build prosperity. These qualities have been the salient features in the
life record of Mr. Graves, one of the native residents of Bartholomew county. He
was born in the city of Columbus on the 18th of September, 1828, a son of Nathan
and Catherine (Waters) Graves. The Graves family originated in England. It was
on the "merrie isle" that the great-grandfather of the subject was born and
reared. In early manhood, however, he decided to come to the new world and.
braving the dangers incident to an ocean voyage at that time, he crossed the
Atlantic to the United States, settling first in North Carolina, whence he
afterward removed to Ohio. He was married in the former state and with his
family went to Ohio, where his remaining days were passed. Nathan Graves, father
of the subject, was born in North Carolina, January 19, 1799, and in 1824 was
married in Ohio to Miss Catherine Waters. Two children blessed this union ere
the removal of the family to Indiana. Coming to Bartholomew county at a very
early day, they cast in their lot with its pioneer settlers, living amid
frontier surroundings and enduring many of the hardships and trials incident to
the establishment of homes in a wild region. They resided upon a farm in
Columbus township, the father devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits
until his death. Other children were added to the household here. Both he and
his wife were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and in that
faith died. They had long been numbered among the honored pioneer residents of
the community and Mr. Graves had taken an active and helpful part in the work of
early improvement and progress.

   William M. Graves was the fourth child in his father's family and was reared
upon the home farm in Columbus township. Well could he remember many incidents
of pioneer life here. He saw the county when much of the land was still in its
primitive condition and when the homes of the settlers were largely log cabins.
As the years advanced "changes occurred, the settlers claiming the uncultivated
portions in order to develop farms which would yield them a good living. At the
usual age Mr. Graves began attending school, spending the winter months in
mastering the branches of learning therein taught. He acquired a fair education
for that day and in the summer months he assisted in the work of the fields,
early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fell to the lot of
the agriculturist. When twenty-one years of age he began farming on his own
account by securing a tract of rented land, upon which he lived for two years.

   On the 3d of October, 1850, Mr. Graves was united in marriage to Miss Mary E.
Patron, who was born in Kentucky, and came with her parents to Bartholomew
county, Indiana, when a little maiden of seven summers. The public school system
of this county afforded her the educational privileges she enjoyed. Mr. Graves
was a poor man at the time of his marriage and for some years thereafter had to
live upon rented land, but ultimately his labors brought to him a sum of money
sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm. To this he added from time to time
until at the time of his death he was the owner of a valuable tract of land of
two hundred and fifty acres in this county and also one hundred and sixty acres
in Kansas. He had at death in the neighborhood of four hundred and fifty acres
of land. All that he possessed was acquired through his own efforts and this
indicates that his life was one of untiring industry and perseverence.

   In 1865 Mr. Graves was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife and
the two children born of that marriage have also passed away. In July, 1866, he
was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary A. Bergundthal, who was
a native of Ohio and was of Swiss descent. She obtained a common-school
education and in 1866 came to Bartholomew county, Indiana. Two sons were born
unto them. The elder is Francis J., whose birth occurred April 13, 1867. After-
acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools he attended Moores
Hill College and has since wedded Miss Fannie Chambers, who is a native of
Alton, Illinois. They make their home in Columbus. Horace W., the younger son,
was born January 22, 1878, and is a graduate of the Columbus high school, and of
the college in which his brother was educated. This is a Methodist Episcopal
college and he completed his course in 1903. He is now a student of the Central
College of Physicians and Surgeons, Indianapolis.

   All of the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Columbus,
and Mr. Graves served upon the official board for thirty or forty years. He was
recognized as one of the pillars pf the church, laboring untiringly for its
welfare and its advancement and his active co-operation in its behalf was an
important factor in its growth. He contributed liberally to its support and gave
sixteen hundred dollars toward the erection of the new house of worship of this
denomination in Columbus. He also acted as superintendent of the building
committee and he gave generously of his means toward the advancement of all
parts of church work. Fraternally he was connected with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows at Columbus. In politics he was one of the stalwart Republicans of
his township, but never sought or desired political preferment, his time and
energies being fully occupied by his business affairs and other interests. Mr.
Graves passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey, and died April 26,
1903. His career was an honorable and upright one and he could look back over
the past without regret. He was always straightforward in his dealings with his
fellow men, faithful in his friendships and devoted to his family, and moreover
his entire career was permeated by his Christian faith.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY
INDIANA

INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA

ILLUSTRATED

1904

B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER


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