Guy Graham

This was Guy Graham's favorite mode of transportation.

WARRENSBURG JOURNAL-DEMOCRAT

March 4, 1904, page 4 column 3

"Graham-Shipp" On Thursday evening of last week Mr. Guy Graham and Miss Jennie Shipp, both of Centerview. The ceremony took place at the home of the bride in Centerview and was performed by Rev. J. W. Sullivan. Only relatives and a few immediate friends were present. The groom is a son of Judge R. B. Graham of Centerview township and the bride is a daughter of Prof. E. L. Shipp, county superintendent of schools. The young couple expected to leave for the west soon to make their future home. The best wises of a host of Missouri friends go with them.

　

　

Grahams Settled in Fruitland in 1906

FRUITLAND

Guy and Jennie Graham came from Missouri to the Payette Valley and settled on a 20 acre farm northeast of Fruitland in 1906. At that time four acres were in trees already bearing apples, and the other 16 were in hay and grain.

Guy has passed on, but Jennie, now 94 years old, lives in her own home on one corner of the original farm. The place is presently comprised of 26 acres instead of 20 and is us owned by Guy's son Jack, and his wife Marjory.

Guy Graham liked to farm, but even more liked to talk. According to Jack, his father put the place into orchard so he would have someone new to talk to when it came picking time. For many years 19 acres of the place were in orchard. He raised three acres of strawberries, also so he would have people to talk to during the summer.

When a man likes to talk, first question that comes to mind is, "Well, why doesn't he go into politics?" Guy Graham did just that. He served as Idaho State Land Commissioner and later represented Payette County in the state legislature for several years.
In 1908 Guy Graham raised several acres of corn and hauled a load to Payette. As he drove the load down the main street everyone asked him the same question, "Where did you get the corn?" "I got the seed from Missouri and raised it," was his reply. "You're kidding us. Nobody can raise corn in Payette Valley," was their unanimous rejoinder. Nevertheless he did raise it, and it is believed that was the first corn raised in the Payette Valley.
In addition to corn, apples, and other fruits, Guy and Jennie Graham raised seven children, four still living in the valley.
The original house that the Grahams moved into in 1906 still stands. It has been remodeled several times to accommodate the enlarge family, but now just Jack and Marge live there since their five youngsters have grown and left the nest. The orchard is gone, and the land this year will row grain and mint. Not many changes have taken place on the Graham farm during the past 60 years.

　

THIS INDENATURE, Made this 2nd day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and six between Bernhard Strohbehn and Christina Strohbehn his wife of Payette County of Canyon State of Idaho, parties of the first part, and Guy Graham of Payette County of Canyon State of Idaho the party of the second part;

WITNESSETH, That that the said parties of the first part, for and in consideration if the sum of Two Thousand fifty ($2050.00) DOLLARS, lawful money of the United States of America, to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part, and to his heirs and assigns forever,all the following described real estate situated the Canyon County, State of Idaho, to-wit:

The North 1/2 of the South east 1/4 of the North east 1/4 of Section 23 Township 8 North Range 5 West Bosie Meridian, together with 20 shares of water stock from the Noble Ditch. Subject however to an undivided 1/2 of a one certain mortgage on said premises and other lands held by the State of Idaho for $1500.00 interest which is assumed by said second party.

Party of the second part is to pay the taxes of 1906 and thereafter.
(legal terms that I didn't want to type. I they are needed I will copy them and get them to you)
(October 23, 2009 Jack Graham told Roger and Ginger Strawn that in 1926 Guy bought 80 Acers on the Oregon Slope with a man named Blakeles. They owned and farm this piece of land until 1929 when Guy told Blakeles that he would turn the place over to him because he had to save the home place. Time were hard to be farming a place that far from the home place. In late 1947 he bought another 6 acres this made the home place 26 Acers. Jack Graham bought the place from his mother and then JoAnn Hollberg, his daughter bought it from him. JoAnn and her husband Fritz put in a double wide manufactured home and torn down the old house.
　
　
　
　
SERVICES HELD FOR GUY GRAHAM, 84

Services were conducted Monday for Guy Graham, 84, of Fruitland, who died Friday at the Veterans Administration hospital in Boise.

Mr. Graham was born Feb. 3, 1877, at Centerview, Missouri, and was married to Jennie O. Shipp there on Feb. 25, 1904. They moved to Fruitland that same year.

He was a veteran of the Spanish American War, and was a member of the Spanish-American War Veterans and the Methodist Church at Fruitland.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by five sons, Jack R. and Donald L., both of Fruitland, Guy S. of Salt Lake City, William R. of Rialto, California, and Eugene E. of Seattle, Washington; two daughters, Mrs. Gladys Strawn of Fruitland, and Mrs. Mary G. Miknus, Marysville, California; a brother, Tom of Windsor, Missouri; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A brother Jesse K. died last Tuesday at Walla Walla, Washinton.

Services were conducted Monday a 10 A.M. at the Methodist church in Fruitland with Rev. O. Rex Lindemood officiating. Military interment was conducted at Riverside under the direction of the Shaffer Chapel.
Newspaper articles from the Eastern Observer, The Ontario Argus. Jan. 20,1937 It has been reported that Mr. Guy Graham has suggested as a possible choice of Governor Clark Fox for the Commissioner of Agriculture. Mr. Graham lives out northwest of Fruitland and has been interested in Farming and Fruit growing for several years; he has also been connected with the State Agricultural Organization and has already represented Payette County in both the Senate and House. Feb. 3 1937, Mr. Guy Graham well know Fruitland resident received the appointment of State Commissioner of Agriculture from Governor Clark. Mr. Graham has already taken up his duties at Boise and expected to move his family there soon.
　

March 24, 1937, Mrs. Guy Graham Senior, who is leaving soon to make her home in Boise was given a Handkerchief show by the members of the Omens Democrat Club of Payette County. May 19, 1937, Mrs. Guy Graham and daughter left for Boise where they will make thier home while Mr. Graham is at the Capital. Sept 9, 1937, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Graham and daughter went to Boise to visit relatives and friends over the weekend. Dec. 9,1937 Commissioner of Agriculture Guy Graham, Major Harry T. Lewis, O.E. Bossen and Harry Elvens drove to Wenatchee Washington Sunday where they planned to attend the State Horticulture Meeting. Mr. and Mrs. Guy Graham and daughter spent the week with relatives and Friends in Fruitland.

Jennie Shipp before her marriage to Guy Graham

JENNIE O. GRAHAM
FRUITLAND Jennie O. Graham, 97, of Fruitland died, Saturday at a Payette nursing home. Services will be conducted Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.; at Shaffer-Jensen Chaple in Fruitland, by Rev., Hardy Thompson of the Fruitland First Methodist Church. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery at Payette.
She was born July 6, 1881, at Centerview, Mo., where she was reared and educated. She married Guy Graham on Feb. 25, 1904, at Centerview. They moved to Fruitland in 1904, where they farmed. He died in 1961. She was charter member of the First United Methodist Church, Fruitland.
Surviving are five sons, Guy S. of Livermore, Calif., William R. of Los Altos, Calif., Eugene E., Jack R., and Donald L. all of Fruitland; two daughter, Gladys Strawn of Fruitland and Mary Miknus of Marysville, Calif.; and a brother, Earl R. Shipp of San Francisco. She was preceded in death by a daughter.
Friends may call today from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the chapel.
The family suggests memorials to the New Organ Fund of the First United Methodist Church Fruitland.
　
Jennie Olivia Shipp Graham
Jennie turned 40 in 1921. Warren Harding began his short Presidency that year. Charlie Chaplin's famous silent move, "The Kid" opened in theatres. Babe Ruth was wowing crowds with home runs in baseball parks nationwide-he would set a record of 137 career home runs shortly after Jennie celebrated her 40th birthday.
　
Jennie was the wife of Guy Graham, a fruit farmer who had become an expert in horticultural affairs in the state of Idaho. During his career, he was the state horticultural inspector, the
commissioner of agriculture for the state, as well as a legislator in the state house in Boise. In 1921, Guy was also on the Board of the Idaho State Fair Association.
　
When Jennie turned 40, she had borne 8 children. One, a daughter, Dorothy, had died as a five year old. Like me, she had a one year old baby. This was Jennie's youngest child. Her oldest
surviving child was nearly 14. The family lived in Fruitland, Idaho.
　
The Idaho Statesman reported that at the end of July, 1921 (which was just a couple weeks after her 40th birthday), the family went on a short vacation to Payette Lakes with the Bossen and Bishop families.
　
It seems that life was full for the Graham family when Jennie was my age.