Surnames: GRAVES GOODRICH

----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 05/09/1883

Graves, Ira S. (22 MAR 1831 - 23 Apr 1883)

(Chilton Times)

Another of the early landmarks, a pioneer well known to the people of this county, has passed beyond the bourn which is never re-crossed. And thus they fall, one by one, they are "Passing away, passing away."

Hardly a month passes that does not record the departure of someone of the early settlers. Those that felled the forests, cleared the fields, and let the glorious sunlight in to warm the liberal bosom of this changed and ever changing locality, are dropping off like autumn leaves. Among the active, stirring men of the early times, none was better known, and few were more intimately connected with the affairs of this county than the late Ira S. Graves, who crossed the dark river on the morning of the 23rd inst.

Mr. Graves was born in Trenton, Courtland Co., N.Y. on the 22nd day of March 1831. His age therefore was 52 years, 1 month and day at the time of his death.

At an early age he came with his parents to Waukesha Co., this state, and from there he went to Rochester, Racine Co., from which place he came to Gravesville, this county, where his brother Leroy had previously settled. He stayed here, then, but a short time when he went to Michigan, where he was married in his 23rd year to Susan D. Goodrich, who survives him. For a few years after their marriage, himself and wife made it their home in St. Louis, Mo. And Boston, Mass. In 1854 they returned to Wisconsin and lived awhile in Sheboygan Co., from which place they again came to Calumet Co., and become identified with the early history of Gravesville; and the town of Charlestown, which for many years honored Mr. Graves with the office of town clerk. He became closely connected with every step in the development of Charlestown, and was regarded as able, faithful and efficient in the performance of his official duties. Being an excellent penman and a good mathematician, his work was done neatly and correctly.

He held the office of county superintendent in the years 1865, 6, 7. In 1872 he removed with his family to Colby, Clark County, Wis., where he built a mill and continued in the lumber business until 1878, when he again returned to Gravesville. While at Colby he held the position of postmaster for two or three or four years, was elected justice of the peace and town clerk of the town of Beaver, which embrace a part of Colby, and was also district clerk. While in this position, he superintended the construction of the fine schoolhouse of which the people of Colby are justly proud. He leaves a wife and son to mourn his premature departure. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. E. P. Lorigan at St. Augustine Catholic Church in this city; Rev. Graves, a brother of the deceased, preached the funeral sermon. The remains were interred in the Irish Catholic Cemetery.