GRAHAM, James, (brother of William Alexander Graham), a Representative from North Carolina; born in Lincoln County, N.C., January 7, 1793; pursued classical studies and was graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1814; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1818 and commenced practice in Rutherford County; member of the State house of representatives in 1822, 1823, 1824, 1828, and 1829; elected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the Twenty-third Congress (March 4, 1833-March 3, 1835); presented credentials as an Anti-Jacksonian Member-elect to the Twenty-fourth Congress and served from March 4, 1835, to March 29, 1836, when the seat was declared vacant; subsequently elected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the same Congress; reelected as a Whig to the Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth, and Twenty-seventh Congresses and served from December 5, 1836, to March 3, 1843; chairman, Committee on Public Expenditures (Twenty-seventh Congress); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1842 to the Twenty-eighth Congress; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-ninth Congress (March 4, 1845-March 3, 1847); was not a candidate for renomination in 1846; engaged in agricultural pursuits near Rutherfordton, Rutherford County, N.C., where he died September 25, 1851.
(Source: Biographical Directory of the United States 1774-present.)

Graham, William Alexander
Senate Years of Service: 1840-1843
Party: Whig
GRAHAM, William Alexander, (brother of James Graham), a Senator from North Carolina; born at Vesuvius Furnace, near Lincolnton, Lincoln County, N.C., September 5, 1804; pursued classical studies and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1824; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1825 and commenced practice in Hillsboro, N.C.; member, State house of commons 1833-1840, serving twice as speaker; elected as a Whig to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Robert Strange and served from November 25, 1840, to March 3, 1843; chairman, Committee on Claims (Twenty-seventh Congress); Governor of North Carolina 1845-1849; declined the missions to Spain and Russia in 1849; Secretary of the Navy in the Cabinet of President Millard Fillmore 1850-1852; unsuccessful Whig candidate for vice president in 1852 on the ticket with Winfield Scott; member, State senate 1854-1866, including service in the state Confederate Congress; elected to the United States Senate in 1866, but his credentials were not presented; member of the board of trustees of the Peabody Fund 1867-1875; arbitrator in the boundary line dispute between Virginia and Maryland 1873-1875; died at Saratoga Springs, N.Y., August 11, 1875; interment in the Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Hillsboro, N.C.
(Source: Biographical Directory of the United States 1774-present. Image: Library of congress)

WILLIAM ALEXANDER GRAHAM.
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.
William A. Graham, Democrat, of Lincoln County, was born December 26, 1839, at Hillsboro, N. C. Son of William A. and Susan (Washington) Graham. Educated at private schools, 1847-1848; Caldwell Institute (Hillsboro, N. C.); Union Academy (Washington, D. C); University of North Carolina, 1856-1859; Princeton College, A.B., 1860. Farmer. President North Carolina Farmers' Alliance two terms; State Senator, 1874-1875, 1879; Representative, 1905. Member of North Carolina Board of Agriculture, 1899-1908. Elected Commissioner of Agriculture in 1908, and reflected in 1912, and 1916. Term expires 1920. Captain Co. K, 2d N. C. Cavalry, C. S. A. Major and Assistant Adjutant General of North Carolina State Troops. Baptist. Moderator of South Fork Association. Thirty years Chairman of Executive Committee. President Baptist State Convention. Author: Gen. Joseph Graham and His Revolutionary Papers; History of South Fork Association; Life and Services of Gen. William L. Davidson; Battle of Ramsaur's Mill; History of Second Regiment North Carolina Cavalry, and North Carolina Adjutant General's Department (North Carolina Regiments), 18614865. Walter Clark, Editor. Married, first, Miss Julia R. Lane, June 9, 1864; second, Miss Sallie Clark, November, 1914. Eleven children. Address: Raleigh, N. C.
(Source: North Carolina Manual. 1919. Published by the North Carolina Historical Commission.)