Bios: JOHN McGRAW : Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

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  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lawrence Co transcribers.
  Coordinated by Ed McClelland

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
 
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  Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
  Lawrence County Pennsylvania
  Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
  
  An html version with search engine may be found at 
  
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1897/
  
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    JOHN McGRAW
    
    [p. 595] is the bearer of a name that is well and favorably known
  throughout Lawrence Co., Pa. He is one of the tillers of the soil of Mahoning
  township, who has, by his own efforts, secured a place in the list of solid
  and prominent men of the western end of the Keystone State. The birthplace of
  our subject was in Armstrong Co., Pa., and he came into life Nov. 22, 1832.
  His parents were John and Eliza (Brown) McGraw.
    
    The senior McGraw was a native Pennsylvanian, and in his younger days
  learned the stone-mason's trade. This craft stood him in good stead the most
  of his life, which was not a long one, for he died at forty years of age, at
  the Great Western Iron Works, Bradley's Bend, Pa. Typhoid fever was the
  immediate cause of his early demise. Six children, all of whom are living at
  this time, survived him; they were: Francis; John; Cynthia; Thomas; Lydia;
  and Silas. His widow wedded as her second husband Mr. John Johnson, and by
  him had two childrenÑEmma and Sadie. The latter is now deceased.
    
    John McGraw, our subject, when only eighteen years of age, entered the
  rolling mills at Wood's Run, Allegheny County, near Pittsburg, and spent two
  years learning the secrets of that vast industry which has made Pittsburg
  renowned over the whole world. Not finding this line of work quite to his
  taste he turned his attention to agriculture. In 1875 he bought part of the
  Thomas Williams farm in Mahoning township, an estate which he holds and on
  which he makes his residence at the present time. He erected a new house in
  1876, and before many years had elapsed he had the series of improvements
  under way that have made him the owner of one of the best and most productive
  places in this fine farming section. The excellent orchards, which are now in
  their prime, were set out and carefully tended by him. He devoted his time to
  general farming, but his land is especially well adapted to grain and
  stock-raising, two lines in which he excels.
    
    John McGraw was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to Miss Ella Cole,
  daughter of Ensor Cole, a well-to-do citizen of Eastern Pennsylvania. In the
  month of August, 1895, she was removed from the scenes of this life, when
  aged sixty-four years. She was the mother of eight children, who were born in
  the order given below, and were named: Samantha Jane; Frank M.; John C. F.;
  Duira A.; William E.; Thomas W.; Mary Ellen; and Silas E. Samantha Jane
  became the wife of William Holliday of Brown Co., Kansas, and has borne her
  husband these children: L. Gertrude; John M.; Willie; Cora; Eva; and two
  deceased. Frank married Mary Shaffer, and is a well-to-do farmer of North
  Beaver township; they have two childrenÑClarence and Glennie. John C. F., who
  resides in Mahoningtown, married Lizzie Ripple and has four childrenÑLee,
  Fred, Ella, and Ada. Duira is the wife of a merchant of Ellwood City, Pa., L.
  S. Randolph; they have two childrenÑLloyd and Wilbur. William E. espoused
  Elizabeth Mitchell, and has two childrenÑGay and Willie; he is a farmer of
  considerable means of Hilltown, Pa. Thomas married Lucy McGuire and resides
  at home. Mary Ellen lives at Wampum and is the wife of Clarence Webster, a
  miner; they have three childrenÑGrace, Ethel and Edith. Edwin is a clerk in a
  store at Ellwood City, Pa.
    
    John McGraw is a man of sterling worth, unquestioned integrity and steady
  reliability. He has always been a prominent member of the local organization
  of the Republican party, his convictions in matters of public interest being
  based on accurate information and correct conclusions. He is especially well
  posted on all that is transpiring at home or abroad, and is a fair and
  impartial judge of men and affairs. He has for six years served on the board
  of school directors, and is at present the supervisor of Mahoning township.
  As a man, a citizen, and a public officer he is everywhere esteemed,
  respected and trusted.