US Congressman. A native of New Castle, Kentucky, he studied law, was admitted to the bar, and became a lawyer in Henry County, Kentucky. In 1834, he was a member of the Kentucky Legislature. Elected as an Anti-Jacksonian to represent Kentucky's 8th District in the United States House of Representatives, he served from 1835 to 1841. He was reelected to his second and third terms as a member of the Whig Party. He is best remembered for participating in a duel on February 24, 1838, which resulted in the death of US Congressman Jonathan Cilley, a Democratic Republican from Maine. The duel took place on Marlboro Road in Maryland and precipitated the passage of a Congressional Act in 1839 that prohibited giving or accepting challenges to a duel in the District of Columbia. Graves was censured, but not expelled, when fellow delegates demanded that he be punished. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1840 and returned to Kentucky to resume his legal practice. He became a member of the State Legislature again in 1843.
US Congressman. A native of New Castle, Kentucky, he studied law, was admitted to the bar, and became a lawyer in Henry County, Kentucky. In 1834, he was a member of the Kentucky Legislature. Elected as an Anti-Jacksonian to represent Kentucky's 8th District in the United States House of Representatives, he served from 1835 to 1841. He was reelected to his second and third terms as a member of the Whig Party. He is best remembered for participating in a duel on February 24, 1838, which resulted in the death of US Congressman Jonathan Cilley, a Democratic Republican from Maine. The duel took place on Marlboro Road in Maryland and precipitated the passage of a Congressional Act in 1839 that prohibited giving or accepting challenges to a duel in the District of Columbia. Graves was censured, but not expelled, when fellow delegates demanded that he be punished. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1840 and returned to Kentucky to resume his legal practice. He became a member of the State Legislature again in 1843.
Bio by: K Guy
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