John D. Graham Lewis and Clark County History of Montana, Sanders, 1913 Prominent among the Scotch-Americans in Helena is James D. Graham, proprietor of the Montana News, a Socialist organ and one of the leading Socialists in this part of the state. He was born in the "land o' cakes" February 2, 1873, and is a son of Malcolm Graham, a native of that country. The elder man brought his family to America in 1886 when James was still a lad and made location at Livingston, Montana, where he successfully followed his trade as a machinist. He is now a resident of LeGrant, Oregon. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Bessie Denholm, and she was a daughter of George Denholm, a native of Scotland. This worthy woman died while the family were living at Livingston, on June 29, 1890, and her remains are there interred. James was the first born in a family of five sons and two daughters. Mr. Graham received his early education in the schools of Scotland and continued his studies until the age of thirteen when the more serious duties of life confronted him, the family being in modest circumstances. His first employment was in the ship yeads of his native Scotland, and he remained thus engaged for three years, coming to America with other members of the family in 1886. After arriving at Livingston, he was apprenticed to learn the machinist trade and followed the same until 1902. In 1905 Mr. Graham came to Helena and founded the Montana News, a Socialist paper, then owned by the Socialist party, but which is now entirely in the hands of Mr. Graham. His heart is in the cause and his word has great influence and weight in the councils of the new party which is every day gaining ground. He has the distinction of being the first Socialist candidate for Alderman in the state of Montana, running for this office while in Livingston, and he came within five vote of being elected. He was one of the principal factors in the defeat of the primary law in Montana and also did much toward putting a quietus to the Ronahue Militia bill and forcing the referendum, this requiring the acquisition of 8,000 signatures. Mr. Graham has fraternal affiliation with the Farmers' Society of Equity, and the Master Machinists' Union. He subscribes to the faith of his countryman, John Knox, being a valued member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a powerful advocate of municipal ownership and it is one of his fondest ambitions to live to see this in force all over the state of Montana. Mr. Graham laid the foundation of an independent household by his marriage October 24, 1901. Both he and his wife are highly esteemed by all who know them and have a wide circle of friends in the city of Helena.