Biography: Robert M. Graham

Source: Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Samuel T. Wiley, Chief Assistant, John M. Gresham & Co: Philadelphia, 1890, pp. 534-535.

ROBERT M. GRAHAM, justice of the peace and notary public of the borough of Ligonier and who resides upon the site of “Old Fort Ligonier,” was born in Unity township, Westmoreland county, Pa., January 6, 1824, and is a son of Richard and Annie (Mellon) Graham who were natives of Ireland. Richard Graham was born in county Donegal in 1796 and came with his father to this country in 1810. He first settled near Youngstown, in Unity township, where he was engaged in farming from 1817 to 1831. He then embarked in the mercantile business at Youngstown, which he followed at the place for seven years. In 1838 he came to Ligonier and conducted a store until 1845. From 1845 to 1850 he operated a tannery and in the latter year became a resident of Oak Grove, where he was in the store business for nine years. He spent the next eight years in Atchison county, Kansas, and then resided at Ligonier until his death in 1883. In 1821 he married Annie Mellon who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland in 1798, and came with her parents to Pennsylvania in 1816, where she died in 1873. She was a daughter of Archibald Mellon and an aunt of Judge Mellon. They had eleven children, of whom four are living: Robert M., Eliz J., wife of Hon. N.M. [Marker] (see his sketch); Rebecca, wife of Thomas Frable of Atchison, Kansas, and William M., also of Kansas.

Robert M. Graham was reared in Ligonier Valley, attended the old subscription schools of his day and received a good business training in his father’s store. From 1846 to 1849 he and Jacob Reed conducted a store at Ligonier. In 1849 Mr. Graham established a store at Oak Grove which he ran successfully until 1877. He also had a branch store at Lockport on the Pennsylvania railroad for several years. In 1878 he moved on his farm near Oak Grove and devoted his attention for the next three years to farming. Since 1881 he has been a resident of Ligonier borough.

August 24, 1852, Mr. Graham united in marriage with Susan, eldest daughter of Hon. John Covode, by whom he had three children: Charles M., of Allegheny City; James R., in Denver City, Colorado; and Sadie C., who married J.E. Lose, of Indiana county, Pa. Mrs. Graham died Oct 22, 1859, and on January 12, 1871, Mr. Graham was married to Lizzie, daughter of Thomas Hague, of Minerva, Stark county, Ohio. By his second marriage he had two sons: Thomas H., who lives in New York city, and Richard J., at home.

Robert M, Graham is an active republican, has served as justice of the peace in Ligonier township since 1863, was postmaster at Oak Grove for several years and also at Ligonier borough in 1886, and was commissioned notary public in 1887. In 1869 he was commissioned as assistant revenue collector of the fifth district and discharged the duties of his position in a very creditable manner. Mr. Graham and his wife are members of the Ligonier Methodist Episcopal church. His residence stands near the site of Fort Ligonier and he has in his possession many relics of that old fort. He is a prominent and highly respected citizen of the borough and township.