John Francis Graff, Jr. and Laura E. Ellis

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Husband John Francis Graff, Jr. ^{1 2}

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            AKA: J. Frank Graff Jr. 3
           Born: 28 Dec 1888 - Worthington, Armstrong Co, PA 2 4
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         Father: Hon. John Francis Graff (1857-1918) 2 5
         Mother: Carrie Louise Brown (      -1902) 1 2 3

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       Marriage: 1 Nov 1919 - Atlanta, Fulton Co, GA 6

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Wife Laura E. Ellis ⁶

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         Father: Abrim Ellis (      -      ) 6
         Mother: Laura Marcum (      -      ) 6

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Children

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1 F Laura Ellis Graff ⁶

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           Born: 4 Nov 1920 6
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2 F Sara Hope Graff ⁶

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           Born: 17 Feb 1926 6
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General Notes: Husband - John Francis Graff, Jr.

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He attended the public schools of his native village and was prepared for college at Mercersburg Academy, He entered Princeton University, whence he was graduated in the class of 1911 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Having determined to engage in the practice of law, he entered Harvard Law School, where he studied for two years. He pursued the studies of his profession in the University of Pittsburgh Law School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1915 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the bar in 1915, and at once entered practice, later becoming a member of the law firm of Ralsten & Graff, which arrangement continued in effect until he was elevated to the bench. He took his seat on the court in January, 1924, as the successor of Judge H. W. King.
Judge Graff permitted the active expression of his patriotism to interrupt his law business, shortly after he engaged in its practice. He began his military career in 1914, when he enlisted as a private in Company K, 16th Infantry, Pennsylvania National Guard. Not long after joining his company he was appointed corporal, which position he held for some time, and in 1915 he was elected second lieutenant of the company. He served in the latter capacity until a vacancy occurred in the position of first lieutenant when he was appointed to hold that commission. When trouble with Mexico arose in 1916, he went to the Mexican Border as first lieutenant of Company K. During his service in that campaign he was appointed battalion adjutant and transferred to the major's staff at battalion headquarters. He held that position until the troops returned from the border. He arrived at home January 9, 1917. When the United States joined the Allies and Associated Nations in the World War, Major Graff, on July 15, 1917, went to Camp Hancock, Georgia, as first lieutenant of Company K. In the reorganization of the United States forces his old regiment became known as the 112th United States Infantry. While at Camp Hancock he was appointed judge advocate of his regiment, which was attached to the 28th Division. Before the division was sent overseas, Major Graff was ordered, with a number of other officers, to France, April 30, 1918, to enter the Officers' Advance School, having served as adjutant of the advanced detachment. Upon the arrival of the 28th Division in France, he was returned to the 112th Infantry Regiment, and soon went into active service with that command. He had participated in a number of major actions under heavy fire, when he was ordered to return to the United States as a training camp instructor. On the day that he was to have started his journey home, he received promotion to captain, together with an order to continue in active service in France. He was raised to a captaincy July 30, 1918. He was placed at different times in command of various companies of the 112th Regiment, and on November 4, 1918, he was promoted to major. His old command, as Captain, was Company A, and in his advanced position he commanded the First Battalion of that regiment, of which he was actually at the head after September 26, 1918. At the beginning of the great Argonne drive he commanded his battalion, and continued in that position until the end of that historic action. For two days, October 7 and 8, when the German strong point, Hill 244, was taken from the enemy, he was in entire charge of the regiment. For their splendid work in and about Chatel Chehery on that memorable morning, October 7, Major (then Captain) Graff, in command of the First Battalion, and Captain William G. Smith, in command of the Third Battalion, were recommended by the brigade commander for promotion to the rank of major. In his report of the action of Chatel Chehery, Brigadier-General Nolan of the 55th Brigade has this to say regarding the commander of the First Battalion, 112th Infantry:
Captain Graff of the 112th Regiment, who was assigned to the command of the regiment after Colonel Shannon was mortally wounded, showed himself to be an officer of exceptional ability in the way he handled the regiment on October 7 and 8 in this battle and earned promotion to the next highest grade.
Major Graff received his honorable discharge from the service at Camp Dix, New Jersey, May 6, 1919.
Judge Graff was president of the Graff Kittanning Clay Products Company; vice-president and director of the Peter Graff Woolen Mills. He was a Republican in his politics. He was affiliated with the important bodies of Freemasonry; member of Lodge No. 244, Free and Accepted Masons; and a 32d Degree Scottish Rite member, Coudersport Consistory. He was a member of Kittanning Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Knights of Pythias, American Legion, Kiwanis Club, Kittanning Country Club and Tiger Inn Club of Princeton. He was a member of the Kittanning Chamber of Commerce. His religious fellowship was with the Lutheran Church, of which he was an elder.

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General Notes: Wife - Laura E. Ellis

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from Atlanta, Fulton Co, GA

1 George P. Donehoo, Pennsylvania - A History (NW) (New York, NY; Chicago, IL: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1926), Pg 17.

2 Paul Graff, History of the Graff Family of Westmoreland County (Philadelphia, PA: Privately published(?), 1891), Pg 76.

3 —, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Her People Past and Present (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1914), Pg 329.

4 George P. Donehoo, Pennsylvania - A History (NW) (New York, NY; Chicago, IL: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1926), Pg 22.

5 George P. Donehoo, Pennsylvania - A History (NW) (New York, NY; Chicago, IL: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1926), Pg 16.

6 George P. Donehoo, Pennsylvania - A History (NW) (New York, NY; Chicago, IL: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1926), Pg 23.