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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lawrence County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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George Graff & Sons, wagon manufacturers, blacksmiths and repairers, Walnut Ridge. George Graff, who established the business in 1877, was born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, October 18, 1825. He learned the wagon trade in his native country and came to America in 1854, locating at St. Louis, where he established himself in business at the corner of Clayton and Manchester roads, remaining there twenty-six years. Having been compelled to pay a big security debt, and being a heavy sufferer from fire, he was induced to settle in Arkansas, in the year 1877, when he bought 200 acres of land at Lindsay, five miles south of Walnut Ridge. Shortly afterward he came to the latter place and opened up his present business, while fortune seemed to smile on him once more. In 1879 he had seven men in his employ, and manufactured all kinds of wagons, and in 1880 he brought his oldest son, Benjamin F., into partnership, changing the firm name to George Graff & Son, which continued under this head until the time of his death, January 7, 1888, when the other son, Fritz F., became a partner. The father, George Graff, was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Little Rock, the services being conducted by Rev. Father Fitzgerald. His two sons have since carried on the business of wagon manufacturing, and have added an undertaking establishment to it. The father was married to Miss Anna Mary Graeber, also a native of Germany, ten children having been born to them. Six of them are still living, four boys and two girls: Josie M., wife of John J. Pace, of Las Vegas, N. M.; Fritz F., Jacob T., of Las Vegas; Benjamin F., Julius and Mary. The mother is now deceased. Benjamin F. Graff was married August 5, 1884, to Miss Ida F. Israel, of Walnut Ridge, and the couple have had two children: Ruby Archias and Bennie. Fritz F. was married October 19, 1884, to Miss Susie Kirsch, at Ravenden Springs, Ark. They have twin girls: Josie Ruby and Jessie Lee.

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This family biography is one of 111 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lawrence County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Lawrence County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Lawrence County, Arkansas family biographies here: Lawrence County, Arkansas Biographies

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