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Available Sources Records 1875 A. T. Andreas Atlas
Dubuque Genealogy Coordinator
Logo by Ginger Cisewski |
Hon. Julius K. Graves is a resident of Dubuque, the home of many of Iowa's leading citizens. Prominent among these he is recognized, for his name is not only inseparably connected with the history of this community, but is found on the records of the country In connection with public service. In political and business circles he is prominent and the important part which he has taken in the upbuilding of eastern Iowa, has numbered him among the founders of the Hawkeye State. Mr. Graves was born in Keene, N. H., September 29, 1837, and is a son of Caleb S. and Eliza Graves. His early education was obtained in the public schools of his native town, and at the age of seventeen he started out in life for himself, securing a situation in a bank as clerk and correspondent. He gave the day to his business duties and in the evening attended school, where by diligent study he made rapid progress. In 1855 he came west, and taking up his residence in Dubuque, secured the position of cashier in the banking house of M. Mobley & Co. In 1858 the firm became J. K. Graves & Co., and a successful business was carried on until it was merged into a branch of the State Bank of Iowa, of which he was Vice-President and General Manager. He was also a member of the board of control of the State Bank of Iowa. He was one of the principal organizers of the National State Bank, of which he served as Vice-President for a time, and was also prominent in organizing the Commercial National Bank, of which he was a large stockholder and a director. With various other interests has Mr. Graves been connected. Since 1859 he has been identified with the Key City Gas Works, and in 1866 built the plant which supplies the city with light. He is President, Director and a large stockholder of the company. In 1868 he was active in the organization and construction of the Dubuque Street Railway and was its President for a great many years. The official career of Mr. Graves is an honorable one and forms an important part of his history. During the early days of the Rebellion he was appointed by Governor Kirkwood, Post quartermaster at Camp Franklin, Dubuque, with the rank of Colonel, and at one time had nearly six thousand men in camp. In 1866, although the city was strongly Democrat, he was elected Mayor of Dubuque on the Republican ticket, and in 1876 was elected Representative to the State Legislature. He was appointed Special Commissioner of the Interior Department by Secretary Harlan, and twice visited Mexico on the duties of his mission. In 1881 he was elected State Senator and served four years. He took an active part in the discussion of many bills and served on several important committees, including those on municipal corporations and insurance. He is a warm advocate of Republican principles and does all in his power to promote the interests of his party. In 1870 he was induced to turn his attention to the construction of a new railroad from Dubuque to Chicago, which road is now in successful operation sixty miles down the river to Clinton. He was President of the Chicago, Clinton & Dubuque Railway Company, the Chicago, Dubuque & Minnesota Railroad Company, and the Iowa Pacific, and has been earnest and active in every enterprise tending to develop the interests of this city and vicinity. For a number of years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity.
On the 12th of September, 1860, Mr. Graves was united in marriage with Miss Lucy C. Robinson , of
Salem, Mass. They have five children: Luin K., J. K., Jr., Sybil, Sara and Marjorie. Theirs is
one of the most pleasant and attractive homes in Dubuque. It is situated on the bluff and demands
the finest view on the Mississippi between St. Paul and St. Louis.
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