BIOS: John S. GRAVES, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 318-319.

  John S. Graves, superintendent of the Meyersdale Planing Mill, was born in 
Morgan County, West Virginia, April 6, 1851, son of John T. and Lucinda (Roland) 
Graves.  His grandfather, Joseph Graves, was a native of Maryland, a tanner by 
trade and also a hotel-keeper in Hancock, Washington County, that State.  He was 
a prominent resident of that town in his day, serving as Postmaster of many 
years, and he lived to reach a good old age.  The maiden name of his wife was 
Catharine Brosious.  Of their seven children the only one living is Dennis, 
whose home is in Maryland.  The others were: George, Silas, John T., Barney, and 
two daughters.
  John T. Graves, the father, who was a tanner, followed his trade for some time 
in what is now West Virginia.  He died in 1858, aged thirty five years.  He 
married Lucinda Roland, of Hancock, Md., and she became the mother of the 
following children: Joseph A., a resident of Meyersdale; John S., the subject of 
this sketch; Nellie, who married G. F. Anthony; and William A., of Meyersdale.  
The sons are married and all are mechanics.  The mother died in 1896, aged 
seventy-two years.
  John S. Graves acquired his education in the common schools.  As a boy he at 
first worked on a canal.  Going to Wheeling, W. Va., in 1864, his time for the 
succeeding two years was spent in a brick yard and in a store.  Returning to 
Hancock in 1866, he drove a team for about two years, at the expiration of which 
time he began to learn the millwright's trade with M. H. Hayes, of Mercersburg, 
Pa., remaining in his employ some two and a half years, working in Washington 
County, Maryland and in Franklin and Cumberland Counties, Pennsylvania.  He then 
went to Kansas with a view of settling there, but not liking the country he 
returned East, and for a time resided in Cumberland, Md.  Coming to Meyersdale 
in 1870, he followed the carpenter's trade with different builders, and also for 
the Keystone Railroad Company, until 1876, when he went to California, remaining 
there for over two years.  While on the Pacific coast he worked as a journeyman 
carpenter and also as a contractor, and upon his return to Meyersdale in 1878 he 
entered the employ of the Keystone Coal Company.  In the spring of 1880 he 
started in business here as a contractor, conducting building operations in this 
and adjacent townships and erecting a planning-mill, together with a sash and 
door factory, in Meyersdale, being for some time associated in business with his 
brother, William A. Graves.  He was later in partnership with others, and in 
1890 became interested with G. S. Young and W. S. Hollister, the firm name being 
J. S. Graves & Co.  Selling the buildings in the spring of 1892, the firm 
engaged in a manufacturing enterprise at Hyndman, Pa., which was incorporated 
with J. S. Graves as president and W. S. Hollister as secretary and treasurer.  
That concern continued in business for two years, when it was dissolved; and 
after conducting the enterprise alone for six months, or until fall of 1894, Mr. 
Graves returned to this town, where he has since occupied the position of 
superintendent of the Meyersdale Planing Mill.
  In 1881 Mr. Graves was joined in marriage with Alice J. Yerty, daughter of 
John and Caroline (Bowman) Yerty and a representative of an old Somerset County 
family.  Mrs. Graves is the mother of four daughters; namely, Caroline, Lucinda, 
Sarah, and Anna.
  Mr. Graves has served with ability as School Director seven years, and was a 
member of the township Council two years.  In politics he is a Democrat.  He 
belongs to Meyersdale Lodge, No. 554, F. & A. M., and Hebron Chapter, Royal Arch 
Masons.  He is a member and trustee of the German Reformed church.