Born in St. Lawrence County, New York, January 28th, 1836. Two years later he came with his parents, Gaylord and Nancy Tuckerman Graves, and located in East Troy, Walworth County, Wisconsin. He received his primary education in the district school and also devoted much of his time on the farm and in his father's store. In 1855 he came with his parents to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where the same avocations were pursued. When 19 years of age Mr. Graves went to Freeport, Iowa, and five years later came to Emmet County. He engaged in farming and stock raising the first three years here, afterwards he was engaged in the mercantile business until 1871. He afterwards engaged in the real estate and banking business, having a private bank until 1887 when the bank was incorporated into a state bank, known as the Estherville State Bank, and has continued under that name ever since. It was the first bank established in Emmet County. He was elected to the state legislature from this district in 1870. In 1857 he was united in marriage to Mary L. Blackman of Winneshiek County.