1914 Biography - James Q. Graves

Graves, James Quarks, Jr., M. D., is one of the well known younger physicians of north Louisiana. His parents were James Quarles, and Laura E. (Blanks) Graves, the former of whom was born in Virginia, March 31, 1832, and the latter was a member of the well known Blanks family of Caldwell and Ouachita parishes, her father having been Joseph Blanks. The elder Graves enlisted in the Confederate service and was with the Army of Northern Virginia from Bull Run to Appomattox receiving 4 wounds 1 of which was a broken leg. At the close of the war he came to Caldwell parish, La., and began planting, an occupation he followed through the remainder of his life. He became a large land owner and stock raiser in Caldwell parish near Columbia and was one of those men who believed in diversified farming and did not depend solely on cotton. He was noted for his industry and, economy and taught his sons the same useful qualities. For 16 years he was president of the police jury, 4 years president of the school board, and 14 years a member of the Tensas basin levee board, 12 years of which he was president. He married in 1871 and of their 7 children, 1 died in infancy, and the other 6 were: Daisy, now Mrs. B. E. Erskin of Columbia; George Frederick, died 27 years of age; Robert Blanks, accidentally drowned, age 32; James Q., Jr.; John William, planter in Columbia; Laura, died, aged 18. Mr. Graves died on his Diamond point plantation, March 14, 1913, a few days before his 81st birthday. Dr. J. Q. Graves, Jr., was born March 17, 1878, at Columbia, and spent his youth in Caldwell parish where he attended public school and in 1897 entered the Louisiana industrial institute at Ruston, from which he graduated in 1901 with the degree of B. I. (bachelor of industry). From 1901 to 1906 he pursued a course in the medical department of Tulane university, graduating in 1906 with the degree of M. D. Receiving at once a certificate from the state board of medical examiners which entitled him to practice in Louisiana he located at Columbia and built up a large and lucrative practice there. In Jan., 1911, he moved to Monroe where he has since followed his profession. He is a member of the Ouachita parish Medical society, the Louisiana State Medical society and the American Medical association. He belongs to the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, the Elks. At Tulane he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and the Phi Chi Medical fraternity. In the junior year he was vice-president of his class at Tulane. January 22, 1908, Dr. Graves was married to Alda, daughter of William Harrison Holloman of Harrisonburg, La., and they have two daughters: Helen Louise and Laura Eleanor. Dr. Graves and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and their home in Monroe is one of much social refinement and genial hospitality.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Louisiana: Comprising Sketches, edited by Alcee Fortier, published in 1914, volume 3, pages 524-525.