William J. Graham

William Johnson Graham (February 7, 1872 – November 10, 1937) was a United States Representative from Illinois and Presiding Judge of the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals.

William J. Graham
Presiding Judge of the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals
In office May 29, 1924 – November 10, 1937
Appointed by	Calvin Coolidge
Preceded by	George Ewing Martin
Succeeded by	Finis J. Garrett
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 14th district
In office March 4, 1917 – June 7, 1924
Preceded by	Clyde Howard Tavenner
Succeeded by	John Clayton Allen
Personal details
Born	William Johnson Graham February 7, 1872 New Castle, Pennsylvania
Died	November 10, 1937 (aged 65) Washington, D.C.
Resting place	Aledo Cemetery Aledo, Illinois
Political party	Republican
Education	University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (B.L.)

Education and career

Born on February 7, 1872, in New Castle, Pennsylvania,[1] Graham moved to Illinois with his parents,[2] who settled near Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois in 1879,[2] and attended the public schools.[2] He received a Bachelor of Laws in 1893 from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and read law in 1895.[1] He was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in Aledo starting in 1895.[1] He was state's attorney for Mercer County from 1901 to 1909.[1] He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1912.[2] He was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1915 to 1916.[1]

Congressional service

Graham was elected as a Republican to the 65th United States Congress and to the three succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1917, to June 7, 1924, when he resigned to accept a federal judicial post.[2] He served as Chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the United States Department of War during the 66th United States Congress.[2]

Federal judicial service

Graham was nominated by President Calvin Coolidge on May 26, 1924, to the Presiding Judge seat on the United States Court of Customs Appeals (United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals from March 2, 1929) vacated by Presiding Judge George Ewing Martin.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 29, 1924, and received his commission the same day.[1] His service terminated on November 10, 1937, due to his death after suffering a heart attack at his home in Washington, D.C.[3] His remains were cremated and the ashes interred in Aledo Cemetery in Aledo.[2]

References

1. "Graham, William Johnson - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.
2. United States Congress. "William J. Graham (id: G000364)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
3. "William J. Graham, U. S. Judge, Is Dead. Presiding Jurist of the Court of Customs and Patents Appeal Was 65". New York Times. November 11, 1937.

Sources

• United States Congress. "William J. Graham (id: G000364)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• "Graham, William Johnson - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.