Biographical Sketch of

W. B. Graham

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 784 - 785 


W. B. Graham is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of the town of Buffalo, Marquette County, his home being 
on section 14.  The farm on which he yet resides is his birthplace, and there his entire life has been passed.  
The family to which he belongs has been connected with the history of Marquette County since the days of early 
infancy, and justly deserves a representation in this volume.  The father of our subject, James Graham, was a 
native of Dumfrieshire, Scotland, where he was born Jan. 1, 1828.  He was but four years of age when brought 
by his parents to America, this family locating in Canada in July, 1832.  Six years later they became residents 
of Illinois, where they made their home from June, 1838, until 1840, when they settled in Racine County, Wis.
 
On the 28th of January, 1848, James Graham was united in marriage, in Racine County, with Miss Jane Bremner, 
and the same year came to Marquette County.  The lady is a daughter of William and Louisa (Chapman) Bremner, 
who were also natives of Scotland and crossed the Atlantic to America in 1846.  Their first home was in Racine 
County, but in 1847 they became residents of the town of Buffalo, Marquette County.  They were the first permanent 
settlers in that town.  As before stated, their daughter Jane became the wife of Mr. Graham in 1848 and the same 
year they located on section 14 in the town of Buffalo, Marquette County, which farm is now owned by our subject.  
Mr. Graham continued to engage in the cultivation of his land until his death, transforming it from a wild and 
uncultivated tract to one of the richest fertility.  He was honored by his fellow-citizens with several local 
offices, the duties of which were ever faithfully discharged, and was regarded by them as a trust-worthy and 
valued citizen.  Honest in all his dealings, temperate in his habits and upright in his life, he won the respect 
of all with whom he came in contact.  After a year's suffering from pleura pneumonia he was called home, Nov. 12, 
1882, leaving a wife and five children to mourn his loss.  Mrs. Graham, who was born in Scotland Dec. 22, 1829, 
still survives her husband, and is living with her son on the old homestead, at the age of sixty years.  She 
is a most estimable lady, beloved by all for her many excellencies of character, and the deeds of kindness and 
charity which she has performed.  The record of the children, two sons and three daughters, is as follows:  
William B., of this sketch, is the eldest; James R., born Nov. 20, 1851, is married and living on the Russell 
farm in the town of Buffalo; Jane S., born Dec. 2, 1853, is the wife of Anthony Quantius, of Berlin, Green Lake 
County; Adda L., born Oct. 7, 1855, married W. D. Sutfin, a resident farmer of the town of Buffalo; Martha G., 
born Sept. 12, 1858, is the wife of George Moore, who is living in Portage City, Wis.
 
William B. Graham, whose name heads this notice, was born April 12, 1850, and has never yet left his native State.  
He has ever resided upon the old homestead, and in the schools of the neighborhood acquired his education.  Like 
a dutiful son he assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm until the death of Mr. Graham, Sr., when he 
assumed the management and has since operated it in his own interest.  When twenty-two years of age he was united 
in marriage with Miss Emma Norton, daughter of Thomas and Catherine Norton, who were born on the Emerald Isle and 
came to this country in 1847.  Their first home was in Piemont, N. Y., next they resided in Rhode Island, and 
thence removed to Portage City, Wis., in 1850, but are now living in Mitchell County, Iowa.  Mrs. Graham was born 
in Providence, R. I., Dec. 28, 1849, was brought by her parents to this State when a babe, and like her husband 
was reared in the vicinity of her present home.  Unto this worthy couple have been born six children, five of whom 
are yet living:  Stella, born March 7, 1875; Roy T., April 10, 1877; May E., Feb. 24, 1882; Willie E., July 21, 1884; 
and Freddie D., Jan. 19, 1889.  Francis J., who was born June 6, 1873, died on the 28th of December, 1878, and was 
laid to rest in the Stone School-house cemetery.
 
The father of Mr. Graham on his arrival in the county purchased 160 acres of land, but our subject now owns and 
operates 320 acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation.  He has also made many useful and ornamental 
improvements, and on his farm may be seen some of the finest blooded stock in the county, in which he takes great 
pride, devoting considerable attention to that line of his business.  His home is a pretty and substantial residence, 
supplied with all that makes life worth the living.  Politically, Mr. Graham is a Democrat, but not a radical politician.  
Socially, he is a member of the Montello Lodge, No. 141, A. F. & A. M., and is a well-known and highly respected member 
of society.






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