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John W. Graham Company

Name:	John W. Graham & Company
Dates:	12.9.1880 (Date of Birth) 20.5.1941 (Date of Death)
Biography/History:	John W. Graham born Sept. 12, 1880, Rockport, Indiana. Married Alta Burch (Spokane pioneer roots: father Dr. Burch; grandfather Rev. Havermale) on Oct.28, 1897. John died age 81, May 20, 1941 in Spokane. Alta died, 1957. John W. came to Spokane from Indiana in 1888. Worked in Sylvester Heath’s stationery store until it was destroyed in 1889 fire; immediately opened John W Graham & Co. in a tent at Monroe & Riverside. Coined the slogan “If It’s Made of Paper, We Have It.” He soon moved the growing store into the Great Eastern Building (Riverside & Post) and his brother James J. (1876-1941) came to Spokane and became company secretary. This building and store burned in winter 1898 and Graham’s store re-opened at 707-711 W. Sprague. [incorrect date? Catalog worksheets say Sprague store built 1896, demolished 1972 to build new Washington Trust Bank building, and Graham store then moved to SW corner of Paulsen Building on Riverside.] Survived another fire in 1910; refurbished building and added 2 stories. In 1916, moved their wholesale warehouse from Division to Havermale Island. [Also had a warehouse at First and Cedar? See catalog worksheets.] Director, Spokane & Eastern bank. Active in Chamber of Commerce, City Club, Country Club. Created extensive flower garden (shown publicly) around home, 607 S. Monroe St.; garden extended from Monroe to Lincoln, between Sixth & Seventh avenues. 1941: Survivors included daughter Molly Pattullo, 2 grandchildren, niece Eleanor Walther, nephew John B. Graham, manager of the store’s wallpaper dept. All living in Spokane. (Chronicle and Spokesman obits, May 21, 1941; Chronicle Feb. 7, 1973; http://properties.historicspokane.org/property/?PropertyID=1813 )