Joseph V. Graff

Joseph Verdi Graff (July 1, 1854 – November 10, 1921) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois.

Joseph V. Graff
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 16th district
In office March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1911
Preceded by	Thomas J. Selby
Succeeded by	Claude U. Stone
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 14th district
In office March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1903
Preceded by	Benjamin F. Funk
Succeeded by	Benjamin F. Marsh
Personal details
Born	(1854-07-01)July 1, 1854 Terre Haute, Indiana
Died	November 10, 1921(1921-11-10) (aged 67) Peoria, Illinois
Political party	Republican

Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, Graff was graduated from the Terre Haute High School, and attended Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, one year. He moved to Delavan, Illinois, in 1873 and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1879 and commenced practice in Delavan, Illinois. He moved to Pekin, Illinois, and continued the practice of law.

Graff was elected as an inspector of the Pekin public schools in 1891 and served as president of the board of education. He served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1892.

Graff was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-fourth and to the seven succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1895-March 3, 1911). He served as chairman of the Committee on Claims (Fifty-sixth through Fifty-eighth Congresses). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1910 to the Sixty-second Congress. He continued the practice of law in Peoria, Illinois, where he had moved in 1899. He also engaged in banking. He died in Peoria, Illinois, November 10, 1921. He was interred in Glendale Cemetery, Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois.

References

• United States Congress. "Joseph V. Graff (id: G000351)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Benjamin F. Funk	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 14th congressional district 1895-1903	Succeeded by Benjamin F. Marsh
Preceded by Thomas J. Selby	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 16th congressional district 1903-1911	Succeeded by Claude U. Stone