My Genealogy Hound

G. G. Graves, farmer, Centre Point, Ark. The subject of this sketch, well and favorably known to a host of acquaintances in this community, was born December 10, 1830, and like many other residents of Howard County is a native of Tennessee, his birth occurring in Giles County. His parents, Sterling and Nancy (Amis) Graves, were natives of Granville County, N.C., where they were married about 1816. The same year they moved to Giles County, Tenn., resided there until 1833, and then settled permanently in Fayette County of that State, where they were early settlers. The father died in 1837, at the age of forty-five years, and the mother died in 1849. G. G. Graves was reared in Fayette County, received his education there, and at the age of nineteen years began working for himself. He married Miss Malinda C. Turance, who was born in Tennessee, and the fruits of this union were four children, only three now living: Nancy R., Emily M. and Martha. Nancy R. was married to A. W. Johns, a farmer of this county; Emily M. married H. B. Gardner, a farmer, in 1872; Martha is the wife of T. N. Chambers, who is a leading farmer of this county. In 1850 Mr. and Mrs. Graves moved to Arkansas, settling near their present residence, and there remained until 1854, when they moved to their present property. Mr. Graves engaged in farming, and this has since been his principal occupation. He first owned land near Centre Point, but disposed of it when he came to this place. He is the owner of 320acres of land, and has about eighty acres under cultivation. He is a wide awake, enterprising farmer, and is doing well. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army as second lieutenant in Company G, Nineteenth Arkansas Regiment, and served therein until the close of the war. He was in the battle of Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, Jenkins' Ferry, and also in numerous skirmishes. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and joined the Blue Lodge in 1856, and the Chapter in 1870. He and Mrs. Graves are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are active workers in the same. Mr. Graves takes a decided interest in politics, and votes with the Democratic party. He was elected justice of the peace in 1873, served for ten years, and was then elected county judge in 1882, serving in that capacity for two years. He was one of seven children born to his parents, five of whom are living. Louis A., Joseph, Alexander and Nathaniel are all living in this county and are farmers.