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biography
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Graham, William H., a prominent business man of Pittsburg, was born in Allegheny City, August 3, 1844,
son of Harrison and Elizabeth (Thornley) Graham. His grandfather, William Graham, an Englishman, who had been a sea captain in his own country, was an early settler in Allegheny,
where he kept a grocery. William died while the Civil War was waging, being then over eighty years old. Robert, one of his two sons, is now the president of the Bible College of Kentucky.
His other son, Harrison Graham, with his wife came to this country from a locality in England near Manchester, in 1830, locating in Philadelphia. After living there for a few years,
they travelled over the mountains by wagon, and settled in Allegheny. Harrison was a rope-maker and a confectioner. He died in Pittsburg of cholera in 1854. His wife is still living.
They were both members of the Christian church. Of their eight children Sarah, Mary J.; William H., John B., Margaret, and Harry are living. Sarah is the wife of C. L. Netting; Mary J.
is the wife of Richard Theophilus; and Margaret is the wife of H. A. Spangler, of Allegheny. Harry is employed in the office of the Recorder of Deeds, Pittsburg.
William H. Graham has passed his entire life in Allegheny. When left fatherless at the age of ten, he was obliged to withdraw from school and go out into the world to earn his living.
In April, 1861, young Graham, then only sixteen, enlisted in a Pittsburg company, which, as Pennsylvania's quota was filled, was not accepted for service. Still determined to go to the war,
on learning that West Virginia had been called upon for a regiment, the men composing the company chartered a steamer, by which they went down to Wheeling, where they offered their services.
They were accepted for three years as Company A, Second Virginia Infantry. It is claimed that this company killed the first rebel soldier in the war. Mr. Graham was wounded at the battle of
White Sulphur Springs, and was sent to the West Penn Hospital, Pittsburg , where he remained until convalescent. Then he returned at once to his regiment. He fought in the battles of Cross Keys,
second Bull Run, Beverly, Droop Mountain, Cloyd Mountain, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Waynesboro, Five Forks, and in a number of smaller engagements. After two years the regiment
was mounted, and subsequently served under General Averill and General Sheridan. At the expiration of his term he accepted employment in the quartermaster's department, and was attached to
General Sheridan's headquarters during that dashing general's brilliant campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. He accompanied Sheridan in his famous march across Virginia and ride around Richmond,
joining General Grant at Petersburg, and with his cavalry and the Fifth Corps of infantry, he swung around Lee's flank, and fought the decisive battle of Five Forks, breaking Lee's line, and
capturing Petersburg, compelling the evacuation of Richmond . During these operations and the pursuit of Lee's army Mr. Graham served as a volunteer aid. While carrying a message to Sheridan
on the eventful 9th of April, 1865, he rode out between the two lines of battle to the little village of Appomattox, and there, in the house of Mr. McLean, had the rare good fortune to be one
of the few witnesses of the memorable interview between the two great generals that terminated in the surrender of General Lee. After taking part in the Grand Review at Washington he returned
to civil life. Upon retiring from the army Mr. Graham and H. A. Spangler formed the firm of Graham & Spangler, wholesale leather dealers in Allegheny. This partnership continued until 1872.
Then Mr. Graham became the chairman of Mansfield & Co., Limited, brass manufacturers. He is also president of the Mercantile Trust Company, of the Mercantile Bank, of the Eureka Coal Company, and of the Central Accident Insurance Company.
On September 30, 1869, Mr. Graham married Miss Sadie K. Shields, of whose six children by him: Morris died at the age of eighteen. The others are: Allie, now Mrs. E. R. Kopp; Talbutt C.; William T.;
Lesley S; and Elizabeth T. Having taken an active part in politics, Mr. Graham was elected a member of the Common Council of Allegheny in 1873, a member of the Select Council in 1874, and member
of the House of Representatives for 1875, 1876, 1877, and 1878. In 1881 he was elected Recorder of Deeds for Allegheny County , and subsequently served nine years in that office. A member of the
First Christian Church, he has been a Deacon for many years, an active church worker, and a liberal supporter of the society, and a highly respected citizen. Mr. Graham is also prominent in the Masonic fraternity.
Biographical review: containing life sketches of leading citizens of Pittsburg and the vicinity, Pennsylvania. Boston: Biographical Review Pub. Co., 1897, Author: Anonymous.
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