William J. Graham


William Johnson Graham was a United States Representative from Illinois and Presiding Judge of the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals.

Education and career

Born on February 7, 1872, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Graham moved to Illinois with his parents, who settled near Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois in 1879, and attended the public schools. He received a Bachelor of Laws in 1893 from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and read law in 1895. He was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in Aledo starting in 1895. He was state's attorney for Mercer County from 1901 to 1909. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1912. He was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1915 to 1916.

Congressional service

Graham was elected as a Republican to the 65th United States Congress and to the three succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1917, to June 7, 1924, when he resigned to accept a federal judicial post. He served as Chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the United States Department of War during the 66th United States Congress.

Federal judicial service

Graham was nominated by President Calvin Coolidge on May 26, 1924, to the Presiding Judge seat on the United States Court of Customs Appeals vacated by Presiding Judge George Ewing Martin. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 29, 1924, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on November 10, 1937, due to his death after suffering a heart attack at his home in Washington, D.C. His remains were cremated and the ashes interred in Aledo Cemetery in Aledo.