Lamson B. Graves, a farmer and stock-raiser of Nineveh Township, was born October 31, 1847, and is a son of Hiram and Ann (Botsford) Graves. The father was a native of New York, who was born December 13, 1809, of English descent, and died November 3, 1855; the mother is a native of Connecticut, and was born December 25, 1812, also of English descent. Our subject was reared on a farm in Nineveh Township, Johnson County. He received a common school education, and at the age of twenty-one he began life for himself as a farmer. On September 24, 1868, he was united in marriage with Mary Ryan, a daughter of Patrick and Sarah (Allen) Ryan, both natives of Ireland. This union was blessed with the following children: Anna, born November 2, 1869; Nellie, June 18, 1871, and Katie, November 23, 1874. The mother of these children was born May 2, 1848. She and the two eldest daughters are members of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Graves was a republican until the organization of the national party, and he has been identified with that party ever since. he now owns 113 acres of land.