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The Graham Family: 1940's and Earlier
This is the online photo album of the Graham family from the 1940's and earlier. Please look to the photos for additional details on each.
Samuel G. Graham (Lew's Father)
This early photograph of Samuel G. Graham, Lew's father, is when he is approx. 20 years old. Samuel Graham was born on November 9, 1875, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As such, this photo is from approx. 1895.
Samuel was the son of William H. Graham and Elizabeth McBride. The Graham family is of Scottish descent, though William immigrated to the United States from Ireland in the mid-1800's.
Samuel was the son of William H. Graham and Elizabeth McBride. The Graham family is of Scottish descent, though William immigrated to the United States from Ireland in the mid-1800's.
Sidney Bonsall Lewis (Lew's mother)
This lovely photograph of Sidney Bonsall Lewis (Lew's mother) is at approx. 20 years old. Sidney was born on March 4, 1881, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. As such, this photo is from approx. 1901.
Sidney was the daughter of Joseph Leedom Lewis and Anna M. Matlack. Because of this, Sidney was descendant of Colonel Timothy Matlack, the scribe of the Declaration of Independence. (Anna M. was the daughter of John Ristine Matlack and granddaughter of James Matlack. James Matlack was the son of William Matlack, who was Timothy's son.). This makes Sidney the 3rd great-granddaughter of Colonel Timothy Matlack.
Sidney was the daughter of Joseph Leedom Lewis and Anna M. Matlack. Because of this, Sidney was descendant of Colonel Timothy Matlack, the scribe of the Declaration of Independence. (Anna M. was the daughter of John Ristine Matlack and granddaughter of James Matlack. James Matlack was the son of William Matlack, who was Timothy's son.). This makes Sidney the 3rd great-granddaughter of Colonel Timothy Matlack.
The Graham Family - Lew and His Siblings
This is a photograph of Lewis Sidney Graham a.k.a. "Lew" and his siblings, most likely in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1920.
Lew was born on December 28, 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The photo is labelled and notes that Lewis is the baby in the center. It is also indicated that his sister, Elizabeth, is standing on the right. She was born on July 23, 1913, and as such is likely about 7 years old in this photograph. The picture also notes that Lew's brother, Samuel a.k.a. "Sammy," is standing on the left. Samuel was born on January 19, 1916, and so is approx. 4 years old in this picture.
Their mother, Sidney Bonsall, is standing behind Samuel.
Not pictured here is Lew's other brother, Joseph Lewis Graham, a.k.a. "Joe," was born on May 5, 1910.
Note that at approx. 1 year old, Lew is already wearing the scowl on his face that was typical in some of the photographs of him throughout his life. Good thing Sweetie met him over the phone, and identified that he had a smile in his voice, as it clearly wasn't always in his expression.
Lew was born on December 28, 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The photo is labelled and notes that Lewis is the baby in the center. It is also indicated that his sister, Elizabeth, is standing on the right. She was born on July 23, 1913, and as such is likely about 7 years old in this photograph. The picture also notes that Lew's brother, Samuel a.k.a. "Sammy," is standing on the left. Samuel was born on January 19, 1916, and so is approx. 4 years old in this picture.
Their mother, Sidney Bonsall, is standing behind Samuel.
Not pictured here is Lew's other brother, Joseph Lewis Graham, a.k.a. "Joe," was born on May 5, 1910.
Note that at approx. 1 year old, Lew is already wearing the scowl on his face that was typical in some of the photographs of him throughout his life. Good thing Sweetie met him over the phone, and identified that he had a smile in his voice, as it clearly wasn't always in his expression.
The Graham Family - Lew and His Siblings
This is another photo of Lew with two of his siblings, Sammy and Elizabeth. Written on the photo are the notes that Lew (standing on the left) is 4 years old, Sammy (on the chair in the center) is 7 years old, and Elizabeth (standing on the right) is 10 years old. Because the ages of the children are marked on the photograph, this photo was most likely taken at the end of 1923 or the beginning of 1924.
Lew continues to have a scowl on his face, while Sammy looks to have a more mischievous expression.
Not pictured here is Lew's other brother, Joe, who would have been about 13 years old at the time.
Lew continues to have a scowl on his face, while Sammy looks to have a more mischievous expression.
Not pictured here is Lew's other brother, Joe, who would have been about 13 years old at the time.
Lewis Sidney Graham
This professional portrait of Lewis Sidney Graham a.k.a. "Lew," Sweetie's husband, was most likely taken around age 18.
Joseph Lewis Graham and Lewis Sidney Graham
This is a wonderful photograph of Lewis Sidney Graham a.k.a. "Lew" standing on the right with his older brother Joseph Lewis Graham a.k.a. "Joe" standing on the left.
This photo was likely taken in Philadelphia when the two were still on the East Coast, and before Lew went to NAS Ottumwa in Iowa.
Joe is in an army uniform in this photograph, and Lew is in his navy uniform. As this photo is most likely from 1942, Joe is approx. 32 years old here, and Lew is approx. 22 years old.
This photo was likely taken in Philadelphia when the two were still on the East Coast, and before Lew went to NAS Ottumwa in Iowa.
Joe is in an army uniform in this photograph, and Lew is in his navy uniform. As this photo is most likely from 1942, Joe is approx. 32 years old here, and Lew is approx. 22 years old.
Lewis Sidney Graham and Marguerite
This is a lovely photo of Lewis Sidney Graham a.k.a. "Lew" and Marguerite, his brother Joseph's wife.
As the two are pictured here together, before Lew is sent to NAS Ottumwa in Iowa, the picture is likely from 1942. As such, Lew is likely about 22 years old in this photo.
As the two are pictured here together, before Lew is sent to NAS Ottumwa in Iowa, the picture is likely from 1942. As such, Lew is likely about 22 years old in this photo.
Lewis Sidney Graham (Sweetie's Husband)
This is a lovely professional photograph of Lewis Sidney Graham a.k.a. "Lew," Sweetie's husband. The photo indicates that it was taken in Philadelphia, so it was likely taken before Lew was sent to NAS Ottumwa in Iowa by the United States Navy.
Sidney Bonsall Graham and Joseph Lewis Graham
This photo of Sidney Bonsall Graham (nee Lewis), Lew's mother, and Joseph Lewis Graham a.k.a. "Joe," Lew's older brother, is likely from the mid-1940's before the end of World War II. As such, Joe is likely in his early 30's. Sidney was born in 1881, and so she is likely just over 60 years old in this photo.
Samuel G. Graham (Lew's father)
This is a wonderful candid photo of Lew's father, Samuel G. Graham from the 1940's. In this photo, Samuel is approx. just over 65 years old, as he had been born in 1875.
The photo was likely taken at home on the porch of 936 Springfield Ave., in Collingdale, Pennsylvania. This is a suburb of Philadelphia in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
The photo was likely taken at home on the porch of 936 Springfield Ave., in Collingdale, Pennsylvania. This is a suburb of Philadelphia in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Sidney Bonsall Lewis and Samuel G. Graham (Lew's parents)
This photograph of Lew's parents, taken in their home at 936 Springfield Rd., Collingdale, Pennsylvania (Delaware County), can be dated after 1935, and is most likely from the early 1940's when Sidney and Samuel were in their 60's.
Samuel Graham a.k.a. "Sammy" (Lew's brother)
This photograph of a display of photos of Lew's brother Sammy could be seen in the home of Lew's parents in Collingdale, Pennsylvania.
Sammy was tragically killed at the age of 19, on June 11, 1935. There was a terrible accident while Sammy was working on a coal truck. The truck crashed into a freight car on the Pennsylvania Railroad, half a mile north of Newtown Square on the low grade line to West Chester.
Please click the document link to a pdf of the article that appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer on Tuesday, June 11, 1935, on page 3 of that paper that provides the details of the accident.
Sammy was tragically killed at the age of 19, on June 11, 1935. There was a terrible accident while Sammy was working on a coal truck. The truck crashed into a freight car on the Pennsylvania Railroad, half a mile north of Newtown Square on the low grade line to West Chester.
Please click the document link to a pdf of the article that appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer on Tuesday, June 11, 1935, on page 3 of that paper that provides the details of the accident.
936 Springfield Road
This is a picture of Samuel and Sidney Graham's house at 936 Springfield Road, Collingdale, Pennsylvania.
We can see Sidney (Lew's mother) standing in the front, with Joe's wife, Marguerite, at her side.
This house is no longer standing today. The location where it was is now the middle of a busy intersection in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
We can see Sidney (Lew's mother) standing in the front, with Joe's wife, Marguerite, at her side.
This house is no longer standing today. The location where it was is now the middle of a busy intersection in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Elizabeth's Wedding
Lew's sister, Elizabeth, was married to a man named Bob Brown near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 19, 1948. This is the photograph of the wedding party.
Standing at the left of the photograph is Joseph Graham, Lew and Elizabeth's older brother. Lew is standing next to Elizabeth.
The two men on the right-side of the groom and the woman who is seated in front have not been identified at this time.
Standing at the left of the photograph is Joseph Graham, Lew and Elizabeth's older brother. Lew is standing next to Elizabeth.
The two men on the right-side of the groom and the woman who is seated in front have not been identified at this time.
Sweetie, Lew, & Lewis at Elizabeth's Wedding
This photograph is of Sweetie, Lew, and Lewis on June 19, 1948, attending Elizabeth's wedding (Lew's sister). During this time period, Sweetie and Lew planned to move their family back to Lacona, Iowa, but they decided to wait to do so until after the wedding.
Note that this photo of Lew in a tuxedo is rare, in that this might be the only photo of Lew in a tuxedo in the whole collection.
Lewis, at the time this photo is taken, is just over 2 1/2 years old.
Note that this photo of Lew in a tuxedo is rare, in that this might be the only photo of Lew in a tuxedo in the whole collection.
Lewis, at the time this photo is taken, is just over 2 1/2 years old.
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