Biography: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Robert Graham ************************************************************************ Submitted by Kathy Grace, November 2004 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ History of northern Wisconsin: containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views of county seats, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881 p. 1147-1148 Robert Graham, now State Superintendent of Public Instruction, late of the Faculty of the State Normal School at Oshkosh. He was born in Washington Co., N. Y., 1831. Without his being a candidate for this office, he was nominated, and ran on all the tickets, and was elected by an overwhelming majority. Mr. G. had not used the slightest endeavor for a nomination, it being given him by eminent and numerous friends, who well knew his unusual qualifications and abilities for such a position. He graduated with honor from the State Normal School at Albany, N.Y. His life since has been give, with great industry and success, to educational work. He came to Kenosha, Wis., 1861, and remained up to 1871; enlisted in 1864 in 39th W.V.I.; was Captain of Co. C. He served with much distinction. For some years he was Superintendent of Schools in Kenosha Co. He was then employed by the Regents of Normal School as the agent of that board for conducting Education Institutes in the State of Wisconsin. In 1871, took the chair of English Language as one of the Faculty of State Normal School at Oshkosh, which he leaves for his present honorable position. In all positions he has shown his superior ability and tact as an educator. Whatever he enters upon, it is with the whole heart, indomitable energy and industry; consequently his efforts are followed with eminent success. Mr. Graham brings to the discharge of the duties of Superintendent, ability, integrity and practical experience in teaching that will render his administration of the affairs of the office easy to himself and profitable to the education interests of the State. Strong adherence to the right is a chief characteristic of Mr. G. He married Miss Mary Maxwell, of Washington, N.Y., in 1851. She is a woman of most happy and cheerful disposition, and of sterling qualities of character. They have one child- William. He graduated from the Normal School at Oshkosh, and later from Oberlin, Ohio. Now he is studying law with Prof. Carpenter, in Madison, Wis. He has been, and is a diligent student, and a general favorite.