THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Alfred W. Graham; Born: 14 Mar 1855, Farley, Iowa; Died: 18 May 1931.

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready: Alred Graham, father; "Alfred did not stay long, but Ella and the children remained. Florence and Robert never married but the latter had a home in Miami in the later years and Ella and Florence lived with him. Bertha married a man by the name of Phillips and had two daughters. She died not long ago in Washington state. Lloyd married a Miami Beach beauty operator and they had an attractive little home in Miami. Robert and I were the two violas in the orchestra."

Burial: Koreshan Unity Cemetery--lot 2. Inscription: Alred Graham--Mar 1855-May 1931.

Notes from Evelyn Horne: Ella Graham/Husband, Alfred Ella Graham joined the Koreshan Unity with her children at the Koreshan Unity
home at 3 and 4 College Place in Chicago in 1888. She had two sons, Robert and Lloyd and two daughters Florence and Bertha. They moved to Estero, Florida with the group in 1894. The children were educated in the Koreshan school, all learning the printing trade and their study of music. They were in the band and orchestra.

Ella and Florence were both Linotype operators and worked in the Guiding Star Publishing House printing "The Flaming Sword" and "The American Eagle" and job printing. Florence worked until the print shop fire in February 1949. Robert and Lloyd each married and lived in Miami, Florida. Both were in the printing business.

Ella died in Miami in 1942 and Florence died July 14, 1950. Both were buried in the Koreshan Unity cemetery. Ella lived in the Planetary Court with the six other sisters. Florence lived in the dormitory. Florence's closest friend was sister Vesta Newcomb. They enjoyed long walks together around the community. Ella's closest friend was Sister Jennie Campbell, always visiting and enjoying each others company. Her husband, Alfred, died in 1931.

FLAMING SWORD, Community Current Events by Rose Gilbert, June 1931: "Brother Alfred Graham came from Miami to spend two weeks and to oversee the placing of a well on his grove property. While here he was seized with an illness that developed into pneumonia, and it is with sorrow that we have to record his death, which occurred May 18. Robert and Lloyd Graham, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Phillips and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Baldwin came from Miami to attend the funeral. In 1890 Brother Alfred became interested in Koreshanity and with his family moved to Chicago. Four years later he came to Florida spending some time in Estero, and finally locating in Miami. The Graham home in Miami has always been "open house" to Brother Alfred's many Koreshan friends, who at various times have visited him and enjoyed the warm hospitality that was invariable to be found there. Of a genial and kindly disposition, Brother Alfred left a host of friends who keenly feel his passing."

THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Ella A. Graham; Born 13 Oct 1860 Dubuque Co, Iowa; Died: 21 Apr 1945

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready: Ella Graham, mother; "Alfred did not stay long, but Ella and the children remained. Florence and Robert never married but the latter had a home in Miami in the later years and Ella and Florence lived with him. Bertha married a man by the name of Phillips and had two daughters. She died not long ago in Washington state. Lloyd married a Miami Beach beauty operator and they had an attractive little home in Miami. Robert and I were the two violas in the orchestra."

Court Record--Warranty Deed: 25 Apr 1924; Ella Graham; No.26759; Deed Book 70, Page 209, Entry Number 1.

1900 U. S. Federal Census; Lake township; Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Film Roll No. 284; Page No. 14; SD No. 1; ED No. 970; Sheet No. 14; Ward of City, 31; Enumeration date: 14 Jun 1900; Enumerator: Martha H. Philpot; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 24 May 1999: Ella A. Graham; Residence: 6310 Harvard Avenue; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Color, white; Sex, Female; Month of birth: October; Year of birth: 1860; Age at last birthday, 39; Married; No. of years married: 19; Mother of 4 children; Number of these children living: 4; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of father: N.Y.; Place of birth of mother: N.Y.; Occupation: Binder; No. of months not employed: 0; Can read, yes; Can write, yes; Can speak English, yes.

U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida/1910; Microfilm Roll number: Fl 1910-H T624; Koreshan Unity; Enumeration Date: 25 Apr 1910; Enumerator: Walter S. Turner, Jr.; ED: 80; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, Jan 1995: Ella A. Graham; Sex: Female; Race: white; Age 49; Marital status: Married 1 time; Married 25 years; Mother of how many children: 4; No. of these children living: 4; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of mother and father: New York; Language spoken: English; Occupation: binder; Employer or worker: worker; No. of months not employed: 0; Can read and write.

U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida/1920; Enumeration date: Jan 2, 1920; Enumerator: Henry D. Silverfriend; ED: 109; SD: 1; Fourth Precinct; Microfilm roll number: 1820221; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff; December 1994: Ella Graham; Relation to head of family: head; Place of residence: Estero River Front; Age 59; Married; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of mother and father: New York; Occupation: Book binder/Publishing House.

U.S. Federal 1930 Census; Estero; Lee County; Florida; Election Precinct 12: Koreshan Unity Home; Enumeration Date: May 5, 1930; ED: 36-17; SD: 6; Page: 199; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff; January 2003: Ella A. Graham; Radio set: none listed; Sex: Female; Color; White; Age at last birthday: 69; Marital condition: married; Age at first marriage: 20; Attended school since Sep 1, 1929: no; Whether able to read and write; yes; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of father: New York; Place of birth of mother: New York; Whether able to speak English: yes; Occupation: Clerk; Industry: Publishing Dept.; Whether actually at work yesterday or the last regular working day: yes.

Burial: Koreshan Unity Cemetery--lot 38; Inscription: Ella Graham, 1861-Apr 1945.

THE FLAMING SWORD, Community Current Events, May 1945, p. 10: "Again it is my sad duty to report the passing of one of our oldest and best loved members. On Tuesday the 17th we received word from Robert Graham at Miami, that Sister Ella, his mother had passed away. Several weeks ago she and Sister Florence had gone to Miami for a few months sojourn, and we hoped the change would be beneficial, as she has been in poor health for a couple of years. Up until that time, however, she had remained faithful to her work at the printing house, where she had been identified for many years with the job work department mainly, but always helped in the final stages of getting out both the Eagle and the Sword, also. Sister Ella was born in Dubuque County Iowa in 1860. She came to the Unity with her husband, Alfred Graham, and family in 1890. As time passed Mr. Graham, together with three of the children, Robert, Lloyd and Bertha left the Unity, but Florence remained with her mother. The Graham family, however, always remained very good friends to the Unity. The father passed away several years ago while visiting the Unity." Sister Ella is survived by a brother Elmer L. Baldwin of Grand Junction, Colorado, and her four children Robert and Lloyd of Miami, Mrs. Victor Phillips of Stuart, Florida; Florence of Estero and Miami and several grandchildren. The remains were brought home Saturday the 21st, where a simple service was held at the Planetary Court, after which they were taken to the local cemetery...."

Notes from Evelyn Horne: Ella Graham/Husband, Alfred Ella Graham joined the Koreshan Unity with her children at the Koreshan Unity
home at 3 and 4 College Place in Chicago in 1888. She had two sons, Robert and Lloyd and two daughters Florence and Bertha. They moved to Estero, Florida with the group in 1894. The children were educated in the Koreshan school, all learning the printing trade and their study of music. They were in the band and orchestra.

Ella and Florence were both Linotype operators and worked in the Guiding Star Publishing House printing "The Flaming Sword" and "The American Eagle" and job printing. Florence worked until the print shop fire in February 1949. Robert and Lloyd each married and lived in Miami, Florida. Both were in the printing business.

Ella died in Miami in 1942 and Florence died July 14, 1950. Both were buried in the Koreshan Unity cemetery. Ella lived in the Planetary Court with the six other sisters. Florence lived in the dormitory. Florence's closest friend was sister Vesta Newcomb. They enjoyed long walks together around the community. Ella's closest friend was Sister Jennie Campbell, always visiting and enjoying each others company. Her husband, Alfred, died in 1931.

THE AMERICAN EAGLE; Vol. 79; April 1993; Page 3: "The beautiful Planetary Court residence, so named for the seven planets then known to exist, still stands proudly in the Koreshan settlement. It was built in 1904 to house the original seven Koreshan women charged by Koresh to manage the affairs of the Unity. Each had her own bedroom, and the eighth room, on the main floor, served as their council chamber or meeting room. These Stellar Women Were : Virginia Andrews, Berthaldine Boomer, Evelyn Bubbett, Eleanor Castle, Rose Gilbert, Ella Graham and Etta Silverfriend. ELLA GRAHAM. Ella joined the Unity in Chicago in 1888, and with her two sons and two daughters came to Estero early on. She and her daughter, Florence, were both Linotype operators and worked in the Guiding Star Publishing House for many years. Florence was there until the print shop burned down in 1949. All four of the children were educated in the Koreshan school, and all learned the printing trade as well as becoming accomplished musicians and members of the Koreshan band and orchestra. The two boys, Robert and Lloyd, married and moved to Miami where they established a printing business. Ella died in Miami in 1942 and daughter Florence in 1950. Both are buried in the Koreshan Cemetery.

THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Florence L. Graham; Born: 23 Jan 1881; Storm Lake, Iowa; Died: 15 Jul 1950.

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; Florence Graham: Alfred did not stay long, but Ella and the children remained. Florence and Robert never married but the latter had a home in Miami in the later years and Ella and Florence lived with him. Bertha married a man by the name of Phillips and had two daughters. She died not long ago in Washington state. Lloyd married a Miami Beach beauty operator and they had an attractive little home in Miami. Robert and I were the two violas in the orchestra."

Court Record--Warranty Deed: 25 Apr 1924; Florence Graham; No.26759; Deed Book 70, Page 209, Entry Number 1.

1900 U. S. Federal Census/Lake township; Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Film Roll No. 284; Page No. 14; SD No. 1; ED No. 970; Sheet No. 14; Ward of City, 31; Enumeration date: 14 Jun 1900; Enumerator: Martha H. Philpot; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 24 May 1999: F. L. Graham; Residence: 6310 Harvard Avenue; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Color, white; Sex, Female; Month of birth: January; Year of birth: 1881; Age at last birthday, 19; Single; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of father: Iowa; Place of birth of mother: Iowa; Occupation: Nothing listed; Can read, yes; Can write, yes; Can speak English, yes.

U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida/1910; Microfilm Roll number: Fl 1910-H T624; Koreshan Unity; Enumeration Date: 25 Apr 1910; Enumerator: Walter S. Turner, Jr.; ED: 80; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, Jan 1995: Florence L. Graham; Sex: Female Race: white; Age 28; Marital status: Single; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of mother and father: Iowa; Language spoken: English; Occupation: Compositor; Employer or worker: worker; No. of months not employed: 0; Can read and write: yes.

U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida/1920; Enumeration date: Jan 2, 1920; Enumerator: Henry D. Silverfriend; ED: 109; SD: 1; Fourth Precinct; Microfilm roll number: 1820221; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff; December 1994: Florence Graham; Relation to head of family: daughter; Place of residence: Estero River Front; Age 38; Marital status: Single; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of mother and father: Iowa; Occupation: Printer/Publishing House.

U.S. Federal 1930 Census; Estero, Lee County; Florida; Precinct 12; Koreshan Unity Home; Enumeration Date: May 5, 1930; ED: 36-17; SD: 6; Page: 199; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff; January 2003: Florence L. Graham; Sex: Female; Color: white; Age at last birthday: 49; Marital condition: Single; Attended school since Sep 1, 1929; no; Whether able to read and write: yes; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of father: Iowa; Place of birth of mother: Iowa; Whether able to speak English: yes; Occupation: Type setter; Industry: Printing Plant; Whether actually at work yesterday or the last regular working day: yes.

Notes from Evelyn Horn: Florence Graham:
Florence's parents Alfred and Ella Graham joined the Koreshan Unity home in Chicago in 1888 with their four children: Florence, Bertha, Lloyd and Robert. They came with the Koreshan group to Estero in 1894, a pioneer family. The children were educated at the Unity, studying music and the printing trade.

Florence was a Linotype operator for "The Flaming Sword" and "The American Eagle" at The Guiding Star Publishing House. She set all the type for the book published at the publishing house "My Garden in Florida" by Henry Nehrling. Brother Robert and Lloyd Graham were in the printing business in Miami, also an orchestra there. Their homes were always open to Koreshan members who often visited and vacationed at the Graham homes in Miami. Sister Bertha Phillips married and made her home in Stuart, Florida.

Florence's mother, Ella, died in Miami May 17, 1945, at her son's home. She was buried in the Koreshan cemetery. Florence died in 1950, also was interred in the Koreshan cemetery. She was a very dedicated person to her life-long work at The Guiding Star Printing office. Her closest and dearest friends were Vesta Newcomb and Jesse Putnam. She loved to take long walks with Vesta around the community. She was a short person, very dainty in her dress, reddish brown hair and brown eyes. Florence loved cats and always had one at her home. Her father, Alfred, died in 1931 at the Koreshan Unity, Estero.

THE AMERICAN EAGLE; Vol. 79; April 1993; Page 3: ELLA GRAHAM. Ella joined the Unity in Chicago in 1888, and with her two sons and two daughters came to Estero early on. She and her daughter, Florence, were both Linotype operators and worked in the Guiding Star Publishing House for many years. Florence was there until the print shop burned down in 1949. All four of the children were educated in the Koreshan school, and all learned the printing trade as well as becoming accomplished musicians and members of the Koreshan band and orchestra. The two boys, Robert and Lloyd, married and moved to Miami where they established a printing business. Ella died in Miami in 1942 and daughter Florence in 1950. Both are buried in the Koreshan Cemetery.

THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Bertha Graham

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; 1966; Bertha Graham: "Alfred did not stay long, but Ella and the children remained. Florence and Robert never married but the latter had a home in Miami in the later years and Ella and Florence lived with him. Bertha married a man by the name of Phillips and had two daughters. She died not long ago in Washington state. Lloyd married a Miami Beach beauty operator and they had an attractive little home in Miami. Robert and I were the two violas in the orchestra."

MEMORIES, MEMORIES--DAYS OF LONG AGO chronicled by Marie McCready with participation by Lovelle McCready: Although Bertha Graham is 4 years older than Marie McCready they are still close friends--Page 61. Bertha Graham saves Marie McCready from drowning--page 61.

1900 U. S. Federal Census; Lake township; Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Film Roll No. 284; Page No., 14; SD No., 1; ED No. 970; Sheet No. 14; Ward of City, 31; Enumeration date: 14 Jun 1900; Enumerator: Martha H. Philpot; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 24 May 1999: Bertha Graham; Residence 6310 Harvard Avenue; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Color, white; Sex, Female; Month of birth: August; Year of birth: 1883; Age at last birthday: 16; Single; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of father, Iowa; Place of birth of mother, Iowa; Occupation: Compositor; No. of months not employed, None; Can read, yes; Can write, yes; Can speak English, yes.

THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Robert L. Graham; Born: 23 Feb 1885, Frontier Co. Neb.; Died: 2 Sep 1951.

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; Robert Graham: "Alfred did not stay long, but Ella and the children remained. Florence and Robert never married but the latter had a home in Miami in the later years and Ella and Florence lived with him. Bertha married a man by the name of Phillips and had two daughters. She died not long ago in Washington state. Lloyd married a Miami Beach beauty operator and they had an attractive little home in Miami. Robert and I were the two violas in the orchestra."

Burial: Koreshan Unity Cemetery--lot ?; Robert Graham--Sep 1951

MEMORIES, MEMORIES--DAYS OF LONG AGO chronicled by Marie McCready with participation by Lovelle McCready: While on a trip to Narada Falls in Seattle Robbie Graham saves Marie McCready from a fall from a ledge that had a 200-foot drop-off--page 62. Robbie Graham played viola.--Page 78.

THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Lloyd T. Graham; Born: 29 Nov ?

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready: "Alfred did not stay long, but Ella and the children remained. Florence and
Robert never married but the latter had a home in Miami in the later years and Ella and Florence lived with him. Bertha married a man by the name of Phillips and had two daughters. She died not long ago in Washington state. Lloyd married a Miami Beach beauty operator and they had an attractive little home in Miami. Robert and I were the two violas in the orchestra."

Vital Record: Social Security Death Index A-K; 1937-1998; Born: 29 Nov 1888; Died: Dec 1964; SS#: 267-24-1826. (Probably Lloyd T. Graham)