Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



Christian H. Graver

Christian H. Graver is one of the enterprising young agriculturists of Wayne county, possessing the energy and determination and the sound common sense of his German ancestors. He is a native of Jackson township, Wayne county, born November 23, 1872, but his father, John Graver, was born in Germany, September 17, 1828. The latter was reared by an aunt, as death deprived him of a father's fostering care when he was but three years old, and this relative brought him to the United States. Settling in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, he passed the remainder of his youth there, and ultimately decided to take up his permanent abode in Indiana. He was married, in Lancaster county, to Miss Mary Ann Illges, in June, 1858, and brought his bride to their new home in Wayne county. She died the same year, and on the 29th of January, 1860, he married Anna, daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Shank) Herr, early settlers of this county. Mr. Herr died March 12, 1875, and three years later was followed to the better land by his devoted wife. They were the parents of twelve children. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Graver, namely: Elizabeth H., wife of Andrew K. Zeigler; Mary E., wife of Moses E. Myers; Amanda G., deceased; Anna G., wife of Rev. C. M. Peirce, a member of the Indiana conference of the Evangelical Association; and Christian H., of this sketch. John Graver located on an eighty-acre farm in Jackson township, when he became a citizen of Wayne county, and in the years that followed he became noted for the success which he achieved as a general agriculturist and raiser of live stock, chiefly cattle and hogs. On the first of August, 1881, he was thrown from his wagon and received injuries which resulted in his death three days later. September 10, 1885, his widow became the wife of John Zimmerman, of the same neighborhood. He had been married previously, and had six children, namely: Sarah Henrietta, deceased; Georgiana, Mrs. John R. Rummel; William V.; Thomas; Walter J.; and Maude, deceased.

Christian H. Graver remained on the old homestead where he was born, aiding in the management of the place, and mastering the details of farming when he was a mere youth. In 1894 he became sole owner of one hundred and eighteen acres, on which stand the house and farm buildings owned by his father. This is a portion of the old homestead allotted to him, the only son, by the provisions of his father's will, the remainder of the four hundred acres being divided among the daughters. For the past five years, therefore, Mr. Graver has been in entire control of his farm, and has been prospered in his undertakings. Everything about the place shows that constant care and effort is made on his part to keep the buildings and fences in good repair and the land under effective cultivation. On the 23d of July, 1897, a train on the Lake Erie Railway crossing near his home struck the vehicle in which he was riding, killed the horse, and badly injured him, incapacitating him for active work for several months, and from the effects of this injury he has not yet fully recovered.

February 22, 1894, Mr. Graver married Edna F., daughter of Adam and Rachel Shaffer, of Henry county, Indiana. Her brothers and sisters are as follows: Mary Ellen, wife of Rudolph Hoover, of Wayne county; Rachel Rebecca, wife of Daniel Wantz; Susan Jane, Mrs. Horace Hoover: John Adam, who married Amanda Doerstler; Emma Alice, wife of Charles Hutchins; Melinda, who married Edmund Bertsch; Lydia, wife of Daniel Hoover; Charles, who wedded Emma Straub; Ary Etta; and Dora Elizabeth. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Graver three children have been born, namely: Elva Gertrude, Orie Otto, and Howard S. Mr. Graver and wife are members of the Evangelical Association, and he is liberal in his donations to worthy charitable and religious enterprises. He is a gentleman of excellent education, is broad-minded and patriotic, and merits the genuine regard which every one accords him.

Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899