44 Years Ago In McGraw History: Barbara Sizemore Weds

44 Years Ago In McGraw History. . .

Barbara is the GGGranddaughter of John & Mahala

(Barbara>Olon>Joseph>Mary "Napper" (McGraw) Sizemore>John)

44 Years Ago - Dan McGraw is Joseph in Christmas Eve Pageant

44 Years Ago In McGraw History. . .

Dan McGraw is Joseph in Christmas Eve Pageant

&

Marriage License for Terry Houck & Barbara Sizemore

Dan is the GGrandson of John & Mahala.

(Dan>Marvin "Jack">HG "Dad">John)

Barbara is the GGGranddaughter of John & Mahala

(Barbara>Olon>Joseph>Mary "Napper" (McGraw) Sizemore>John)

46 Years Ago In McGraw History: Patty McGraw Dies In Car Accident

46 Years Ago In McGraw History

Patty was the GGranddaughter of John & Mahala.

(Patty>Marvin "Jack">H.G. "Dad">John)

71 Years Ago in the Raleigh Register

71 Years Ago in the Raleigh Register

(click on pic to open and enlarge)

Pate Brooks married Gertrude McGraw, Daughter of William Harrison "Pole" and Granddaughter of John & Mahala.

All of these young men serving their country would then be GGrandsons of John & Mahala.

Today In McGraw History: 65 Years Ago - The Carl McGraw Family Visits Mullens

Today In McGraw History. . .

65 Years Ago - Carl McGraw & Family

Visit Family in Mullens

Carl was a 'double' grandson of John & Mahala.

Carl's Father was Luther McGraw, Son of HG 'Dad' McGraw. Luther was killed in 1928 when Carl was 5 years old. Carl's Mother Pauline later remarried to Earl McGraw who raised Carl. Earl was a son of Okey "Oak" McGraw, and THAT is how he became a 'double' grandson!

We will have a series of articles coming up explaining how Luther was killed and how the case ended up in front of the West Virginia Supreme Court.

Today in McGraw History: Buena McGraw is Wyoming Teacher of the Year

Today in McGraw History. . .

58 Years Ago - Buena (McGraw) Cook is

Wyoming County Teacher of the Year

Buena was a GGranddaughter of John & Mahala,

(Buena>James Hereford "Fud">William Harrison "Pole">John)

49 Years Ago in the Register and Post-Herald

49 Years Ago in the Register and Post-Herald

Happy Thanksgiving!!

38 Years Ago In The Post-Herald Register. . . Julia McGraw's Stuffed Peppers

38 Years Ago In The Post-Herald Register. . . 

Julia McGraw's Stuffed Peppers

52 Years Ago Today in the Beckley Post-Herald. . .

52 Years Ago Today in the Beckley Post-Herald. . .

Today In McGraw History: 41 Years ago today!

Today In McGraw History. . .

The article actually ran on the 10th, but since today is their

anniversary we thought we'd run it today!

This is the last in our short series of articles about Jan and Mike.

If you missed, the others, you can find them on our blog

by clicking HERE!

79 Years Ago Today in McGraw History. . . 1936

79 Years Ago Today In McGraw History. . .

Oley was a Grandson of John & Mahala.

(Oley>Joseph Barrett "Gus">John)

Today in McGraw History: Bridal Shower for Jan McGraw

Today in McGraw History. . .

This is the second in our series of articles about Jan and Mike.

The next one will be published early next month!

If you missed the first one, you can find it HERE.

53 Years Ago In The Beckley Post-Herald

53 Years Ago In The Beckley Post-Herald

Famous McGraws we AREN'T related to Volume II: Dr. Phil

Famous McGraws we AREN'T related to Volume II:

Dr. Phil

Phillip Calvin "Phil" McGraw was born September 1, 1950) in Vinita, Oklahoma. He grew up with three sisters in the oilfields of North Texas where his father was an equipment supplier. During his childhood, his family moved so his father could pursue a lifelong goal of becoming a psychologist.

But a history lesson isn't what you came here for, you want to know if we're related don't you?

As we've told you before, our family is descended from William MacCraw I who came to Virginia before the Revolutionary War. Dr. Phil's family, on the other hand, has only been in America for a few generations. Surprised?

We are, too! Doc Phil's Great-Grandfather John William McGraw was born in Ireland in 1848, the same year that our John married Mahala. 

Phil's John McGraw ended up in Texas where he married Mary Esther Rice. According to the 1880 Census, they lived in Collin, TX.  Among their children was Joe Phillip McGraw , Sr,  who was born in 1885. He had a son, Joe Phillip, Jr., born in 1924 in Knox, TX, who was Phil's father. While it is theoretically possible we could be related if we go back a few centuries in Ireland, there is currently NO evidence we are related other than sharing a last name.

Do you feel better or worse now that you know the truth? Are you happy or sad that the person who gives such sage advice is not one of our own?

I have to agree with this last quote, but I'm not sure if he's referring to himself or Oprah. He graduated in 1975 from Midwestern State University with a B.A. in psychology. He went on to earn an M.A. in experimental psychology in 1976, and a Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology in 1979 at the University of North Texas.

As we said earlier, his father was a psychologist as well, so based on the next one we can see where he gets his simple wit.

After obtaining his doctorate, McGraw joined his father, Joe McGraw, in Wichita Falls, Texas, where the elder McGraw had established his private psychology practice. In 2008 on the Today Show he said that his current work does not involve the practice of psychology and that he had "retired from psychology". According to the Today Show, the California Board of Psychology determined in 2002 that he did not require a license because his show involves "entertainment" rather than psychology. McGraw's license is currently listed by the Texas State Board of Psychology as "retired" in 2006 and he holds no other active licenses to practice in any other state.

So, in truth, Dr Phil isn't a Doctor anymore- he's just Phil.

(But then again, Doc Brooks wasn't a Doctor either. Hmm. This makes me wonder about Dr. Pepper, he's from Texas too!)

OK, what else can we tell you about Dr. Phil. Well,  In 1968, he was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Tulsa. On November 23 of that year, his team lost to the University of Houston 100–6, which is one of the most lopsided games in college football history. The coach retired after that season and Phil transferred to Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas.

And if any of you have a clue what this means, let us know:

Who will it be next? What illusions will we destroy?

You'll just have to wait and see!

38 Years ago in the Post-Herald and Register

From The Post-Herald and Register

38 Years Ago Today

54 years ago today in the Raleigh Register - John McGraw Community Festival

From the Raleigh Register. . .

Today In McGraw History: 41 years ago today - October 6, 1974

Today In McGraw History. . .

Jan is the daughter of Paul McGraw and Susan "Susie" Claiborne.

She is the Great-Great-Granddaughter of John & Mahala.

(Jan>Paul>James Hereford "Fud"> William Harrison "Pole">John)

We have a couple more articles coming up about Jan and Mike, so make

sure you "Like" and Follow our Facebook Page to see the whole series! 

Today in McGraw History: September 19, 1956 - The Donald Duck Market is Robbed!

Today in McGraw History. . .

September 19, 1956 - The Donald Duck Market is Robbed!

The Donald Duck Market was between the creek and the railroad tracks on the main road near the grade school. 

Huey "Dutch" was the Grandson of John & Mahala.

(Huey Ernest "Dutch">Okey>John)

Today in McGraw History - September 12, 1952

Today in McGraw History. . .

News from the Milam Methodist Church - September 10, 1959

News from the Milam Methodist Church

September 10, 1959

Today in McGraw History: September 8, 1974 - Philyaw's Grocery opens in Ravencliff

Today in McGraw History. . .

September 8, 1974 - Philyaw's Grocery opens in Ravencliff

Bill is the GGG-Grandson of John & Mahala McGraw

(Bill>Joyce Clayborne>Okey J Clayborne>Donna Faye McGraw>Okey J McGraw>John McGraw)

In the Register-Herald 50 Years Ago Today. . .

News Items from the Register & Post-Herald

September 4, 1965

All of these were on the same page 50 years ago today. . .

Today in McGraw History: August 31, 1959. . .

Today in McGraw History. . .

This is the last in the series of articles we found about the death of H.G.

We have another series of articles about an event coming up in October into November.

This time we'll be looking at an engagement and wedding!

Any guesses who we'll be featuring?

Today in McGraw History: August 24, 1959

Today in McGraw History. . .

Another item from around the curve in Ravencliff. . .

Today in McGraw History: August 21, 1959

Today in McGraw History. . .

Horace Greeley (H.G.) "Dad" died on this date in 1959.

This is from the Mullens Advocate. We're running it today instead of next week which would have been the anniversary of it's being originally published.

His wife, Pearl McGinnis, died 3 years before him on May 3, 1956.

56 Years Ago Today in McGraw History: August 18, 1959

Today in McGraw History. . .

News from Ravencliff!

Even though this is from around the curve in Ravencliff, there should be some familiar names here!

Today in McGraw History - August 13, 1962

Today in McGraw History. . .

Today in McGraw History: August 12 1956

Today in McGraw History. . .

At the reunion, I told a few people how it was H.G. "Dad" McGraw's habit to stop in at the newspapers to visit when business would find him in Beckley. On many occasions, the editors thought the visits were interesting enough to share with their readers. We will have a few more of these columns to share in the months to come.

If you were at the reunion, you may remember Herk McGraw talking about H.G.'s tobacco and how everybody wanted it. The second to last paragraph has H.G. talking about that very thing!

It's interesting that John named his son after Horace Greeley, as well as a dog, a horse and an ox!

We still haven't been able to verify the story about why or when John changed the family name, and this is the story that has been passed down, but since his son relayed it as such it could be true. We continue to research this and a great many other things and as we learn new information we will continue to share it with you here and on our web-site!

Today in McGraw History: August 9, 1956

Today in McGraw History. . .

According to the obituary, he died on Tuesday which would have been August 7, 1956.

These items are available for download on our web-site:

http://www.mcgrawreunionwv.com/genealogy.html

Today in McGraw History - August 3, 1961

Today in McGraw History. . .

Warren is the GG Grandson of John & Mahala McGraw.

(Warren>Darrell V (Sr)> James Hereford "Fud"> William Harrison "Pole">John "Bige")

Warren is currently the Judge for the Twenty-Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, which presides over Wyoming County. He was elected to the court in 2008

Photo from the Register-Herald

For more on Warren's career, you can check out his Wikipedia Page

Today in McGraw History - July 31, 1960

Today in McGraw History. . .

I came across this item, and couldn't resist pulling it out and sharing it. I believe the Dwight that is being referred to is the son of Herbert, who was son of John's son H.G. "Dad". based on the play on words, I assume that what was in his 'craw' was the fact that we were McCraws before we were McGraws! 

As you may know, John changed our family name, although when or why still hasn't been substantiated. Family lore states he did it through an act of the WV Legislature and it was because he met a man he admired named McGraw while he served in the Legislature. We're still researching this and will let you know what we find, or don't find!

We edited this column down for the bits we wanted to share, if you'd like to read the whole thing-

Today in McGraw History - July 28, 1970

Today in McGraw History. . .

Today in McGraw History. . .

Today in McGraw History. . .

From the Raleigh Register

July 7, 1966

Only 12 days until this year's McGraw Reunion, Sunday, July 19, at Southern WV Community and Technical College in Saulsville, WV. For directions and more information go to our web-site at:

www.mcgrawreunionwv.com

Today In McGraw History. . .

Today In McGraw History. . .

From the Beckley Post Herald

June 30, 1972

When Galena retired, it was the first time since John McGraw established the first post office in current-day McGraws that a McGraw was not running the post office.

Robin McGraw, wife of Brian McGraw, the great-great-Grandson of John currently runs the office. (John>HG>Jack>Mike>Brian)

Famous McGraws we AREN'T related to: Tim McGraw

If you're reading this, then I'll bet my last dollar that you probably get this question everywhere: "Are you related to Tim McGraw?!?"

I hear it over and over again. Even my best friend asked me this! It really used to bother me back when but I'm better than I used to be about it. After one of those nights of getting asked this I thought that I just need find a way to let it go. My wife said, "Grown men don't cry about these kinds of things! You're angry all the time! We should just sleep on it and one of these days you'll come up with something." For a little while I think she thought I was nuts!

Finally my little girl came up with the idea of writing a blog post. I usually don't take the girl too seriously because she's an artsy kind of tiny dancer, but this time it was a good idea. "Truck Yeah! I like it, I love it," was my reply! She said, "please remember me coming up with the idea if it works!"

All I want is a life where this doesn't bother me, so here we are. I went to my old friend the internet and got the facts and wrote this post. And I do feel better. At first I thought that the feeling can't really be gone, but it is!

You may have suspicions, but let me be the one to break the bad news to you -- WE AREN'T RELATED! He may be a real good man with a smooth southern voice but there aren't any Indian Outlaws in our tree! Something like that also means that we also aren't related to his father, baseball legend Tug McGraw.

Two balloons burst at once. Sorry for crushing your refried dreams of getting invited over for Thanksgining! Tim and Tug descend from a Richard McGraw who came to American and settled down on the farm in Kansas, where the green grass grows, about 1800. Our first American ancestor was William McCraw who was here long before the revolution and had died about 42 years before Tim's family got here.

Tug was born in California. Tim's Mom is a southern girl and Tim was born in Louisiana.

If you'd still like to explore Tim & Tug's unbroken family tree, it's available here.

If you caught all the jokes in this post, I need you to remember that I did it just to see you smile!

This post is now over, and not a moment too soon.

Part 2, Coming Soon!!!

(Disclaimer: I don't have a little girl and my Wife wanted nothing to do with this post!)

Another McGraw Elementary School and a Medal of Honor Winner

We aren't the only town that had a McGraw Elementary School!

Welcome to Francis X. McGraw Elementary School, in Camden New Jersey!

They call it "Marvelous McGraw." Well, they don't have to tell us that, do they? Go Mustangs!

Who is Francis X. McGraw and why did they name a school after him? Allow me to introduce US Army Private First Class Francis X. McGraw.

I'm sorry to say that we are not related to this gentleman, because he is the dictionary definition of a Hero. He is one of TWO McGraws who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Sadly he lost his life in defense of our country. The below article from the October 30, 1945, Camden Courier-Post tells his story. . . 

His posthumous award of the Medal of Honor was followed by other honors. 

The USNS Private Francis X. McGraw (T-AK-241) was a Victory-class cargo ship built at the end of World War II and served the war and its demilitarization as a commercial cargo vessel.

There was also a military installation in southern Munich, Germany, called the McGraw Kaserne which was used by the U.S. Military during the occupation of Germany after World War II named for Pvt. McGraw.

Private McGraw was laid to rest at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium.

I said there were two McGraws who awarded the Medal of Honor and a future Blog post will tell you about Thomas McGraw who was awarded his Medal for service during the Civil War.

Some photos used in this post came from:

http://www.stevemcgraw.com/dad/unclefrank/index.htm 

http://www.fairview.ws/fairview_life/other/mcgraw/mcgraw.html

And are used under Creative Commons License