Transcribed from Goodspeed’s History of  Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketches of from Twenty-Five to Thirty Counties of East Tennessee, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, etc., etc. (Chicago and Nashville:  The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887), pp. 962-987.  See footnote below for on-line access.

Rufus L. GRAVES, an enterprising merchant of Charleston, was born September 19, 1825 at Abingdon, Washington Co., Va., the eldest of ten children of Henry W. and Alcey (SOULE) GRAVES. Both parents were natives of Virginia; the father was born at Petersburg about 1800. He immigrated to Tennessee in 1840, and for twenty-five years lived at Charleston. About 1866 he moved to Dalton, Ga., where he died about 1880. He was a cabinet-maker, a Whig and a worthy citizen. His wife was born at Abingdon about 1805, and married at same place in 1823. She died at Dalton, Ga., in 1882. Both were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Rufus L. GRAVES worked in his father’s shop until his twentieth year, when he engaged as salesman in the store of L. W. EARNEST, of Dalton. In 1850 he went to California, where for two years he was in the trading and mining business. In 1852 he returned to Tennessee. In 1854 he went to Charleston, S. C., and for two years was employed in the wholesale house of Chamberlain, Miller & Co. After his return to Bradley County, Tenn., he was for some time in partnership with G. W. ALEXANDER in agricultural, grain and commission business at Charleston. In 1859, with J. M. and T. J. KNOX, he established a general merchandise store, which he continued two years. After farming one year, he returned to Charleston, and again became interested in merchandising; since which time he has been in same business, but with different firms. His partner is now Mr. James McKAMY. May 13, 1856, he married Miss Amanda WEIR, who died January 12, 1866. To their union three children were born, two of whom are living. March 7, 1867, he wedded Miss Helena BRAZELTON, who has borne him three sons and two daughters. Our subject is a firm Democrat and liberal contributor to all charitable and public institutions. Mr and Mrs. GRAVES are consistent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

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This biography was transcribed by Sherry Pollard. We thank her for transcribing all the Goodspeed’s biographical sketches.

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