Grafstrom, Edward, mechanical engineer, was born at Motola, Sweden, Dec. 19, 1862. He was educated at the Orebro University and the Boras Institute of Technology, where he was graduated in mechanical engineering at the age of nineteen years. Soon afterward he came to America, where he found employment with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad company, and at the time of his death he was chief mechancial engineer of that great corporation. Mr. Grafstrom met his fate in a manner that was both sad and tragic. At the time of the great flood in the spring of 1903 he designed and hastily constructed a small steamer, with which he engaged in rescuing the inhabitants of the flooded districts of Topeka. Hundreds of people were conveyed to places of safety through his energy and foresight. On the night of June 2, while trying to rescue still more, his boat was capsized, and while the other five members of the crew succeeded in saving themselves, Mr. Grafstrom was swept away by the raging waters. His body was never recovered. On June 6, 1906, a committee of railroad men presented to the Kansas Historical Society a fine bronze tablet bearing an inscription recounting his deed of valor and his heroic sacrifice. The presentation of the tablet was made in the hall of the house of representatives, Gov. Hoch and James A. Troutman delivering addresses in which they paid a high tribute to Mr. Grafstrom's scholarly attainments and the unselfish disposition which caused him to forfeit his life while trying to save others.