History of Patrick Graham Clan
Patrick Graham, a native of Ireland, was no doubt the first settler in Jefferson township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. He immigrated to Westmoreland county, there married Elizabeth McKee, came to Butler County in 1796, and erected a cabin upon a tract of land which he had previously selected in what is now Jefferson township. He then returned for his wife, Elizabeth, and three children, Rosanna, Joseph, and Daniel, whom he brought on pack horses to his new home in the unbroken forest of Butler County. Including the children born in Westmoreland County, the following are the names of their family: Rosanna who married Alexander Martin, Joseph; Daniel, who settled in Brady township, and there died; Patrick, born upon the homestead May 25, 1798, the first white child born in Jefferson township, and resided upon the same until his death. Elizabeth who married James Pryor; James, who settled in Mercer County, and died there; John, who died in Connoquenessing township, was a merchant at Whitestown, and Harrison who located in Bever County.
Though not a large man, Patrick Graham possessed a strong and
vigorous constitution, a tireless energy, and wonderful endurance.
He died in 1844, at the remarkable age of ninety-seven years.
Joseph Graham, eldest son of Patrick and Elizabeth Graham, was born
in Westmoreland County, in 1794, and was about three years old when
his parents came to Butler County. His youth was passed amidst pioneer
scenes, and he grew up inured to the hardships and privations of
that period. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and served as
a major in the early militia. After arriving at maturity he located
upon the farm owned by H. Kirchner. He married Elizabeth Freyer,
who died without issue, and he subsequently married Nancy Thomson,
to whom were born four children, as follows: Robert T.; Elizabeth;
Esther, and James, who served in the Mexican War and also in the
Rebellion; Mrs. Graham died, and he was again married to Margaret
Balph, who became the mother of eight children, viz.: William B.;
Rebecca J.; wife of Thomas McConnell; Matthew McKane; Eli; and Nancy
E., wife of William S. Bartley. Joseph Graham died May 4, 1880,
and his wife August 7, 1890. Both he and his wife were members of
the Presbyterian Church, in which he was an Elder. Mr. Graham was
a Democrat, served one term as County Commissioner, and three terms
as a Justice of the Peace of Jefferson township.
William B. Graham, eldest in the family of Joseph and Margaret
(Balph) Graham, was born upon the homestead farm in Jefferson township,
February 2, 1837, was reared a farmer, and subsequently learned
the carpenter’s trade, which he followed in connection with
agriculture. He was married February 8, 1864 to Eliza J. Bartley,
a daughter of Joseph Bartley of Penn township, where the family
settled at an early day. They are the parents of the following children:
Agnes R., wife of James M. Sefton; Margaret C., wife of J. H. McKeever;
Mary E., wife of S. N. Shaw; Emma L., wife of Thomas Harbison; Joseph
L., who married Lizzie Covert; William F.; George R.; and John H..
Mr. Graham and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church.
In politics he is a democrat. He has filled the office of School
Director, and takes a commendable interest in educational affairs.