BIO: William A. P. GRAHAM, Beaver County, PA
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches
of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y.,
Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 95-99.
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WILLIAM A. P. GRAHAM, secretary and treasurer of the American Porcelain Co.
of New Brighton, Pa., is one of the leading and most enterprising citizens of
that town. The American Porcelain Company, of which he is a member, was
incorporated November 24, 1894, by Thomas Craven and Thomas R. Marshall. They
purchased the Scott Brothers' Tile Factory, which was located near Allegheny
street, and remodeled it for the manufacturing of solid porcelain ware of all
kinds, for kitchens and pantries, tubs, sinks, and all porcelain articles.
They have built up a reputation for fine quality of, work, and have many
orders for specialties in porcelain ware. They have four kilns, two of which
are 12 feet in diameter, and two, 18 feet in diameter, having a capacity to
manufacture the largest tanks and tubs, of natural clay, in western
Pennsylvania. The plant covers nearly three acres of ground, which includes
kilns, engine house, storage and warehouse, and shipping house. They employ
thirty men, most of whom are skilled mechanics. The porcelain enamel, which
was Mr. Craven's own conception, is the best on market today.
96 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
William A. P. Graham, the subject of this biography, was born in Allegheny
City, Pa., January 29, 1860, is a son of Nathan, and grandson of Charles,
Graham, who was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Nathan Graham was born in
Chambersburg, Franklin county, Pa., and early in life learned the trade of
coach building. In 1845 he moved to Allegheny City, where he became connected
with the firm of Park & Phelps, wagon and coach manufacturers. He remained
with that firm until 1872, when he retired. He was elected alderman and
justice of the peace of the second ward of Allegheny, and later was notary
public. He dealt quite extensively in real estate during his active life, but
retired from business a few years before his death, which occurred in 1897, at
the age of seventy-seven years. He married Elizabeth Doubler, a native of
Chambersburg, Pa., and she died in 1895, at the age of seventy-five years.
The children which resulted from this union were: Emma, who married Matthew
Eyster; Amelia, who married William Duval; Mary L., who married A. B. Hay;
Ida, who married Thomas E. Marshall, and has one child, Etta; Etta H.,
deceased, who was the wife of William Righter; and William A. P., the subject
of this sketch. Thomas E. Marshall, who is president of the American Porcelain
Co. is very popular, and a thorough business man. He was for several years the
leading merchant of New Brighton, but in February, 1898, his store, which was
located in the Opera House Block, burned, and since that time he has devoted
his entireattention to the American Porcelain Company. Nathan Graham was a
Republican, and a member of the Lutheran church.
William A. P. Graham attended the high school of Allegheny City, and then
pursued the study of photography for three years, but as his eyes failed him,
he was obliged to abandon it. He accepted the clerkship at Raymond Bros.'
wholesale house in Allegheny, and remained with them until 1889, when he went
to New Brighton, and became clerk and bookkeeper for the Pittsburg Clay
Manufacturing Company. When the American Porcelain Co. was incorporated, he
became one of the stockholders, as well as secretary and treasurer. He
married Lillie M. Farmer, a daughter of Thomas Farmer.
Thomas Farmer was born in Birmingham, England, a son of William Farmer, who
was, a skilled mechanic in wire drawing, especially in silver and gold metal.
His services were sought by New England manufacturers, and he came to this
country, but soon went back to England. There for many years he manufactured
iron screws for wood work. Later in life, after retiring, he came to America
in 1857, and died at his son's home in Wheeling, West Virginia, at the age of
ninety years. He was married twice, first to Miss Coleman, who died early in
life. Their children were as follows: Ann; Edward; William; Mary A.; and
Thomas. His second marriage was with Ann Platt, and she bore him three
children, namely: John P.; David J.; and Samuel. Thomas Farmer early in life
became a portrait painter, and came to America in 1855, locat-
BEAVER COUNTY 99
ing in Pittsburg. His brother came to this country in 1857, and Thomas gave
up painting, and went into business with his brother, John P., at
Philadelphia. They manufactured carriage bolts, and after a few years moved
to Newark, N. J., and later, to Wheeling, West Va. After selling out there,
they moved to Canton, Ohio, and two years later, located at New Brighton,
Pa., where they carried on a general machine shop for a few years. They then
began the manufacture of rivets at Penyan, New York. Here Mr. Farmer retired
from business and moved once more to New Brighton, Pa., where he still
resides. He married Jane Chivers, a daughter of Joshua Chivers, and their
children are as follows: Agnes; Howard; Ella; and Lillie, the wife of the
subject of this sketch.
Mr. and Mrs. Graham have one child, William A. Mr. Graham is a firm
Republican, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum and of the Woodmen of the
World; he belongs to the Episcopal church. He is highly respected in the
community, and is always willing to give aid to anything which is for the
good of the people of his town.