JUDGE ESCHOL GRAHAM
The history of Telfair County is complete
without a chapter on the life and activities of Eschol Wayne Graham, generally
known as Eschol Graham, who served as Judge of the Superior Courts of the
Oconee Judicial Circuit, which includes Telfair County, for more than 34 years
after having practiced law for 21 years in Telfair County.
Judge Graham was born September 18 1873 in
Telfair County. June 26, 1906 Judge Graham married Eva Mae Smith, daughter of
Thomas Jefferson Smith, generally known as Captain Tom Smith because of his
part in the Civil War. Judge Graham and Eva Mae Smith had one son, Duncan Smith
Graham now a retired Lawyer in Vidalia, Georgia. Eva Mae Smith Graham died in
1914. August 22, 1917 Judge Graham married Frankie Williams of Eatonton,
Georgia, who for a number of years had taught in the McRae-Helena Schools (at
the time operated by or in conjunction with South Georgia College).
Frankie Williams Graham survived Judge Graham
and died at the age of 101 in Orange, Texas In 1976 where she was then living
with their only daughter, Elizabeth Graham Campbell. Mrs. Campbell still
resides in Orange.
Judge Graham received his early education in the
schools of Telfair County. Upon his graduation from these schools, he entered
North Georgia Agricultural College at Dahlonega and later transferred to the
University of Georgia Law School, from which he graduated in June, 1899.
Judge Graham began the practice of law in McRae
in association with his cousin, E.D. Graham, who was a distinguished lawyer,
Judge, and scholar and who, himself, served eight years as District Attorney
(then called "Solicitor General") and eight years
as Judge of the Oconee Judicial Circuit. Judge Graham served as Mayor of the
City of McRae for the years 1901-1902 and as a member of the Georgia House of
Representatives for the 1905-1906 Term. August 3, 1909 he was appointed Judge
of the City Court of McRae by Governor Joseph E. Brown, which office he held until his resignation October 1, 1912.
Judge Graham was an active member of the
Methodist Church, serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and teacher of
the Mens Bible Class for a number of years. Judge Graham served as a Trustee of
Andrew College of Cuthbert, Georgia and as a Trustee of the Eleventh District A
& M School both while the school was an A & M school and after
the school became Middle Georgia College.
Judge Graham was elected Judge of the Superior
Courts of the Oconee Judicial Circuit in 1920 and began his first term January
1, 1921. He was reelected to successive terms of four years each eight times.
Because of ill health, he retired April 20, 1955, after more than 34 years
continuous service on. the bench making him, at the time of his retirement, the
oldest Superior Court Judge in point of service in the State of Georgia.
Following his retirement, Governor Marvin Griffin appointed him Judge Emeritus
of the Superior Courts in which capacity he served until his death September 4,
1955.
Judge Graham, like most other professional and
business people of Telfair County, was also a farmer and maintained and conducted substantial farms and farming
operations in Wheeler and Telfair Counties. As illustration of the character,
ability, and achievements of Judge Graham, the following is quoted from the memorial to him inscribed in the minutes of each of the seven
Superior Courts over which he presided for more than 34 years: "This was a man who was a profound scholar
with a vast knowledge of the law, its scope, intent and application; a man who
possessed great strength of character, honesty, and was fearless - physically,
morally and politically. " One who was not swayed by philosophies and
ideologies, but who conducted his courts justly and honestly and never allowed personalities
play a part in determining the rights of litigants before him.
"Neither wealth, poverty nor adverse public
opinion could influence him in the administration of the law and justice
according to his convictions. He could not tolerate what he considered an
injustice. "
"He was inflexibly against all of the evils
and harmful practices that affected adversely the lives of the people of his
State and community and waged unceasing warfare against them in all his public
utterances."
Duncan Campbell Graham, the father of Judge
Graham, was also active and influential in the public and community life of
Telfair County. After two years service in the Confederate Army, he returned to
Telfair County, married Josephine McDuffie, and served as Justice of the Peace,
County Commissioner, and County Treasurer. He was in office as such treasurer
at the time of his death in 1903.
Duncan Campbell and Josephine Graham had five
children. Of these, the youngest, Eva Graham Drew, was also active and well
known in the public life of the State of Georgia, as well as Telfair County.
After having worked in the offices of her brother Eschol, she served as a
secretary to Senator William J. Harris for several years in his Washington,
D.C. office; then as a receptionist-secretary for Governor Tallmadge for a
number of years during his terms of office as Commissioner of Agriculture and
several of his terms as Governor; then concluded her public service as Clerk of
the Telfair County Commissioner during the terms of F.A. Smith and Walter Dyal
as County Commissioner. Eva Graham Drew is still in life in McRae at the age of
98.
by Duncan Graham
"Not sure of what date this was printed"
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