This well-known resident of Scales Mound Township comes of an old Dutch family, his great-grandfather having emigrated from Holland many years prior to the Revolution, and settled in Montgomery County, N.Y. of which he was a pioneer, and there he reared a famimly, and became prominent and well-to-do. In that county his son John, the grandfather of our subject, was born; there he spent almost all of his life, and there he died in 1841, at a very advanced age; but of the date of his birth there is no record. He was a soldier during the War of the Revolution, serving as a private in the Continental army. He and his father were both members of the Presbyterian church and were men of mark in the community.

The maternal grandfather of our subject was Daniel Travis, who was born in France, came to America when a young man, located in Glenville, Schenectady Co., N.Y. where he became a farmer, and there died in 1821. The father of our subject, Nicholas N. DeGraff, was born on the homestead at Amsterdam, Montgomery Co., N.Y. When his father's estate was divided, he took his share, and to it added more land, which he bought adjoining, givinghim a farm of 120 acres near the flourishing village of Amsterdam. A large part of this land was then in the forest, but he cleared it all off, built him a fine residence, and there lived the balance of his life time, dying in June 1882 at the ripe old age of 97 years. Unlike his ancestors he wsa a member of the Baptist Church, and after the birth of the Republican party became a supporter of its doctrines. He was a well-known citizen, who, during an extremely long life passed at the place of his birth, had acquired the confidence and respect of every one who knew him. His wife was Catherine Travis, born in Glenville, Schenectady County in 1793. She died at the old homestead in 1877, aged 84 years. This couple were the parents of the following children; Barbara, James, and Seth are deceased; Catherine, Sarah J., Eliza, Harriet, and William, living in Amsterdam; and our subject completes the list.

John Nicholas DeGraff was born near Amsterdam, Montgomery Co NY Dec. 14, 1812. His o pportunities for education were limited, but he made the most of such as came within his reach. He lived with his parents until the age of 21, when he began working for himself, learning the trade of carpenter aat Amsterdam in his native county. In 1836 he determined to try his fortunes in the then Far West, and arrived in Jo Daviess County the year after the Black Hawk War. For one year thereafter he rented a farm in LaFayette County, Wisc. and at the end of that time bought a claim of 80 acres in Scales Mound, which is a part of his present homestead. He also purchased a timber tract of 40 acres in Thompson Township. He came direct to his present home on coming to this county, which was then the largest house in the county. To this place he added 90 acres, and soon made it one of the best farms in the county. He has devoted much attention to raising fine stock, and has always been noted for having on his farm the best breeds of cattle in this part of the county.

In 1850, smitten like so many others with the gold fever, he, with three companions, started across the plains to California. They went by way of st. Joseph and Ft. Kearney, and after a six months trip arrived at Hangtown (now Placerville). The labor of mining proved too severe for his constitution, and he was taken down with fever. On his recovery he began temaing, at which he worked for six months, and then returned to Jo Daviess County by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York City. He took up his residence in his old home, and shortly engaged in building his present residence, and as already mentioned removed in 1852. This farm is all well improved and well fenced, is watered by a branch of the Apple River, and is well-supplied with out-buildings. He sold his timber land in Thompson Township, and when the railwoad was built through his farm, he sold that part of his land lying north of it, retaining for his own use but 50 acres, and for the last year or two has retired from active life, renting his land.

Our subject was married Oct. 3, 1839 to Clarissa M. Phelps, daughter of William and Abigail (Jones) Phelps, who was born in Hebron, Tolland Co., Conn., and is of English descent. Her maternal grandfather was Capt. Jones a Connecticut farmer who during the Revolution fought on the Royalist side and died in Tolland County when over 80 years of age. Her father was likewise a native of Conn., where he owned a farm and during the War of 1812 was a private int he American Army. In 1820 he emigrated to Ashtabula County, Conneaut Twp. Ohio, of which place he was a pioneer. There he made a farm in the wilderness and continued to live there until 1837, when he removed to Jo Daviess County, again becoming a pioneer. Here he bought a claim of 80 acres to which he added by purchase, 80 acres more, which by hard and continuous labor, he greatly improved, giving him a fine farm and excellent home, on which he lived until his death, Nov. 23, 1852, when he was 66 years old. Her mother died March 29, 1873 when almost 84 years old. Both were people of excellent repute in the community, and led consistent Christian lives; the father being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the mother of the Presbyterian. These old pioneers were the parents of five children, of whom Mrs. DeGraff is the sole survivor; the others were Rachel J., Joel, William F. and Samuel E.

The wife of our subject was born Dec. 2, 1815 and was five years of age when her parents removed to Ohio. She wsa fortunate in having the opportunity for good schooling, and acquired an excellent education, which she finished at the High School at Conneaut, Ohio. At the age of 15 she began school-teaching and continued at that both in Ohio and Illinois until her marriage.

Our subject and his wife were the parents of seven children, but the Angel of Death has been busy in their ranks, and but two are now surviving. Those deceasd were named: Theodore, William, Charles, Joel and Natalia A. The survivors are: John II, who is married and is farming in Stanislaus County CA; and Lizzie, wife of James C. Matson, of Scales Mount, of whom a sketch appears on another page.

The life of our subject has been one of considerable adventure. Born and Reared on the banks of the beautiful Mohawk, he was a witness of the early growth and wonderful development of the EMpire State. He remembers the building of the great Erie canal; in its day the greatest work of the kind in the world. He helped to build the first railroad ever constructed in New york State, being the branch of the New York Central running along the Mohawk River, through the valley of the same name. In his western home he also helped to build the Illinois Central Railroad, on which for year he was an overseer. His adventures in search of gold have already been narrated. As a farmer he has been more than ordinarily successful, and his horses and cattle have been the pride of this part of the State. For years he was successfully engaged in raising fine Durham cattle and Chester White hogs, for both of which he took the first premiums at the county fair. His horses are of the Messenger, Clydesdale adn Hambletonian breeds, and he has taken with them first premiums at the Galena and Warren fairs.

Mr. De Graff is the oldest settler in Scales Mount, having had his home there for more than half a century. During all that long time he has enjoyed in a marked degree the confidence and esteem of is fellow-citizens, a result due to his upright and straightforward life. He has been called uponto fill many positions of trust and responsibility. For three years he was Collector of the township, Commissioner of Highways for three years, Township Supervisor, and served for years on the School Board. He helped to build the first schoolhouse and first church ever erected in Scales Mound. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at that place. In politics he is an adherent of the Democratic party, and has been selected as a delegate to its county and State conventions. Several times he has been called upon to serve on both the Grand and Petit Juries, and has discharged all duties entrusted to him with fidelity.

History of Jo Daviess History Portraits & Biographical Pg 366