THOMAS L. GRAVES was born in Clarksburg, Va., the 10th day of December, 1830, where his father died in 1833. The same year his mother, with seven children, removed to Kosciusko County, Ind. At about the age of fifteen, Thomas L. began the printer's trade, and became a first-class workman. In intellectual force he matured early, and at the age of seventeen, commenced the publication of a paper at Warsaw, Ind. Since attaining his majority, he has almost constantly held some public position. During the administration of Franklin Pierce he was appointed Postmaster at Warsaw, and served two years, when he resigned. An election was held to fill the position, but the result was ignored by the department at Washington, and as showing the reliance placed uon his sound judgment, the First Assistant Postmaster General wrote to him, saying: "If you will not hold the office any longer, please designate your successor." In 1858, Mr. Grves removed to Columbia City and was shortly after elected Clerk of the corporation. In 1860, he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal to take the United States Census of Whitley County. In the winterof 1861-562, he removed to Kendallville, and in the spring was elected Justice of the Peace for Wayne Township, and served twelve consecutive years. Just before the expiration of the last term, he was elected Mayor of Kendallville, serving six years. He then declined another re-election. The Common Council then appointed him City Attorney, and at the end of two years was re-appointed, which position he still fills. Though constantly in official office, Mr. Graves is not a politician, but gives his attention to his business. He is what may be termed an office lawyer, and though delicate in apearance, the amount of business trnasacted by him is almost incredible. In addition to his professional business, he gives some attention to the mercantile trade, being assocated with his son as James Graves & Co., who carry a line of groceries and provisions. He belongs to the Masonic Order.
Goodspeed, Weston A, Richard Collins, Thomas R. Marshall, W. L. Matthews; Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana: historical and biographical; Chicago, F. A. Battey & Co., 1882, p. 303-304.