TYPERECORD: Biography: GRAHAM, Robert, Warren County, Kentucky


From: James H. Maloney <maloney@maloneylaw.com

Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1999 22:39:18 -0500


Recently I encountered a cousin whose family had copies of articles 
from old newspapers.  Unfortunately, the details of publication are 
not clear.  I have transcribed them.  The following is a story about 
Robert Graham which is much like a biography. (James H. Maloney)
 
The Graham Newspaper article:
 
The Bowling Green, KY, "DEMOCRAT", article of unknown date but from his 
age as given in the article it appears to have been published in 1882 or 
early 1883:
 
MR. ROBERT GRAHAM -- One of the Oldest Citizens of Warren County

    Many of the readers of the DEMOCRAT are personally acquainted with 
the venerable man whose name heads this sketch, and many more know him 
from reputation.  A short outline of his life may not be out of place.

     He was born on the 11th day of February, 1796, in the village of  
Cartersville, on the James River in Virginia.  His father died in 1802, 
and in 1805, when only nine years of age, Robert was sent to Richmond 
by his widowed mother for the purpose of learning a trade.  He learned 
the trade of brick laying and plastering, which he has followed nearly 
all his life.  There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of houses 
throughout the county on which he has worked.

     While at his apprenticeship in Richmond, he witnessed the burning 
of the theatre in that city, which was regarded such a calamity at the  
time.  After serving his apprenticeship, he left the cruel master who 
had often whipped him unmercifully, and went to Lynchburg.  From 
Lynchburg he went to Charlottesville and assisted in building the 
Virginia University, under the direction of the illustrious Thomas
Jefferson.  He was personally acquainted with President Jefferson, 
having been at his house at different times.

     In 1818 Mr. Graham left the "old Dominion" to seek his fortunes in 
Kentucky. He settled in Bowling Green, which was at that time a very  
small village.  There were at the time but four dry goods stores in the 
place -- Messrs. Alexander Graham, Samuel Brooken and ___ Stubbs were 
the only dry goods merchants.  Mr. Graham married in October 1819, Miss 
Elizabeth Renick, Daughter of Col. William Renick, who resided on
Barren river near Martinsville.  He removed from Bowling Green to 
Martinsville in 1820, and in 1833, removed from Martinsville to his 
present home situated eight miles southeast of Bowling Green and one and 
a half miles from the village of Green Hill.  Mr. Graham's wife died in 
1860, but he was married again in 1862 to the widow Cassidy.  He is the 
father of twelve children, eight of whom are now living, three in 
Tennessee, two in Texas, and three in Kentucky.  He has forty 
grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

     The venerable patriarch continued to work at the trade till a few 
years past, when he was compelled to desist by reason of his weight of 
years.  He is now in his 86th year, and is becoming quite feeble.  He is 
not surrounded by the luxuries of life, and  it is to be hoped that 
those who know him and reaped the benefit of his handiwork, will see 
that his last days are made comfortable.


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