Notes:

Among the prominent and leading pioneers and agriculturists of Washtenaw County who are selected for representation in this biographical work, we take pleasure in presenting the worthy subject of this sketch. Mr. Graves who is a resident on section 28, Ypsilanti Township, Washtenaw County, is a native of this place and was born on the farm whereon he now resides, July 24, 1831. He is a son of Lyman and Olive (Gorton) Graves, The former was a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New York State. He is probably of Scotch-English ancestry, his parental ancestors, it is said, having emigrated from Scotland in an early day as his maternal ancestors did from England. His parental grandfather, Selal Graves, is said to have been a Revolutionary soldier and a Captain in that memorable struggle. For a detailed history of our subject's parents see sketch of A. R. Graves in another portion of this volume. Frederick A. Graves, our subject, as a lad was reared on the parental farm amid scenes of pioneer rudeness and severity of life. After attaining the rudiments of an education in the district schools of the vicinity he for a time attended the Ypsilanti Seminary. He assisted in drawing the first lumber used in building the first Normal school in Ypsilanti which has since been burned. He has ever been an extensive reader and is to some extent a self-educated man. His father was a farmer and the proprietor of a saw-mill and when grown our subject for three years was engaged as his father's assistant in running the mill. The balance of his time was spent on the farm.

August 24, 1851, the important step of taking a wife was entered into by our subject. At that time he was married to Martha J. Lowden, a sister of the lion. J. L. Lowden, of whom a sketch appears in another part of this work. By this union there has been a number of children, of whom the following survive: Alpheus A., James L., Metta O., Teresa M., Annie A. and John M. Mr. Graves is the owner of one hundred and thirty-two acres of land which is under a good state of cultivation, and this property he has acquired entirely by his own efforts.
He is a member of the Pioneer Society of Washtenaw, among whose archives the early history of the men and women who struggled to lay the foundation upon which the social order of the future should be firmly based, will be most interesting history to future generations. Mr. Graves has been awarded a number of responsible positions within the gift of the township. He has for some time served as (Grain Commissioner of Ypsilanti Township and has also been for several years Justice of the Peace and is in many ways thoroughly identified with the growth of the township and vicinity.

In their church relations our subject and his wife are members of the Presbyterian body at Ypsilanti. Devoting himself to general farming, lie of whom we write takes especial pride in the fine grade of Merino sheep which lie raises and also in the beautiful Durham and Jersey Cattle, which are found in large numbers upon the farm. He is a RepubliCan in politics and his confidence in his party is unshaken by strife or party dissension. Mr. Graves is well known for hi honesty and sterling integrity in business. His fine farm is a standing monument to his industry and good management. He enjoys to an unusual degree the confidence of the community.