Representative Valentine Graff View All Years

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Valentine Graff

Page County

Born October 4, 1842 at Bingen on the Rhine, Germany. At the age of 9 years he came with his parents to the United States and made his home until manhood at or near Savannah, Mo. He was educated in the common schools of Savannah. After serving in the military he at the age of 26 years came to Clarinda and established a clothing store of his own. Mr. Graff was married to Miss Nancy E. Fairley of Highland county. Ohio, October 25, 1870. Mr. Graff united with the Presbyterian Church on profession of faith, July 26, 1876. Three years later be was elected a ruling leader of that church and held the position for seventeen years. In his religious work he was known as a faithful churchman. Mr. Graff was a member of the Clarinda city council. He represented Page County in the Twenty-eighth and Twenty ninth general assemblies. In the legislature he was one of its ablest and most useful members. Locally he served on many committees in public work, and held numerous positions of usefulness. For many years he was a great power in Page county Republican politics.

House District 9