This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Graham, Dunlap, Paridon, Ruse, Scherbine, Grotjan Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Yl.2ADE/2654 Message Board Post: From The Davenport Daily Times Davenport, Iowa (Scott County) Tuesday, January 12, 1909 J.W. Graham dies; sick since Friday Well known man victim of Pneumonia Was an old soldier and fought in many of the hard battles of the Civil War. John W. Graham of Eighteenth avenue and Twenty-fourth street, a civil war veteran and the well known brick manufacturer, who had conducted the yards in South Heights for a great many years, passed away at 5:30 o'clock this morning. Pneumonia was the cause of death. He had only been ill since last Friday. Mr. Graham was born at New Castle, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1837. In the year 1854 he came west with his parents. He was educated in Pennsylvania, and when he came west entered the brick making business, in which he was engaged until his death. He was an old soldier. September 5, 1861, he enlisted in Co. H, 37th Illinois volunteer infantry. He served in the army of the frontier and was a gallant soldier, his bravery and courage in battle bringing him a promotion to the rank of corporal. He fought in several of the hardest battles of the war, notably among them being the battle of Prairie Grove, Pea Ridge and the siege of Vicksburg. Two brothers went to war with him! and both died in uniform, George being killed at the battle of Prairie Grove and Smith Graham dying from sickness. John Graham, after serving his time re-enlisted and went to Texas. His last battle was at Fort Blakely. He was discharged at Houston, Texas and came to Rock Island May 15, 1866. January 28, 1873, he was married to Miss Rebecca Dunlap. He is survived by his wife and five children, Mrs. Clara Paridon, Estelle Graham, Myrtle, Ethel, Pearl and John W. Graham, Jr., besides two grandchildren and three sisters, Mrs. Minerva Ruse of Aledo, Mrs. Maria Scherbine of Maquoketa, Iowa, and Mrs. Sarah Grotjan of Rock Island. In Public Life - Mr. Graham was a member of the South Rock Island township school board. As a business man he was a great success, his brick yards being very successful, and he was also the owner of much real estate. He was the eldest of eight children of Mayberry Graham, who was a teacher by profession. The father died the same year they came to Rock Island. His mother died several year later. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, with burial at Chippiannock Cemetery.