William Alexander Graham Sr. (1804-1875)

US Congressman, CSA Congressman, US Governor. Graham was a member of the North Carolina legislature from 1833 to 1840. He was then elected as a U.S. Senator from North Carolina from 1840 to 1843 to fill a vacancy. In 1845, he served as the Governor of North Carolina until 1849. During the administration of Millard Fillmore, he was the U.S. Secretary of the Navy from 1850 to 1852. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Vice President of the United States in 1852. While a member of the North Carolina state senate (1854-1866), he also served as a Senator from North Carolina in the Confederate Congress (1864-1865). In 1873 to 1875, he was an arbitrator in a boundary line dispute between Maryland and Virginia.

Bio by: Evening Blues

Inscription

[On the west face of the obelisk:]
William Alexander Graham
Born
September 5, 1804
Died
August 11, 1875.

[On the east face of the obelisk:]
Speaker of the House of Commons
Senator of the United States
Governor of North Carolina
Secretary of the United States Navy
Member of the State Convention of 1861
Senator of the Confederate States
Arbitrator of the Maryland and Virginia Line.

[On the north face of the obelisk:]
Fortunate in his descent and
in the gifts of nature, he thoroughly
fitted himself for the duties of
his profession and of public life.
Possessing faculties of rare
proportion and harmony, he adorned
his career by a quick and dauntless
courage, open and fixed principles
of conduct, an unfailing courtesy,
and a stainless name.
"The memory of the just is blessed."

[The south face of the edifice contains an inscription in memory of Susan Graham, William Graham's wife.]