Charles H. Graves
Encyclopedia
Charles Hinman "C. H." Graves (August 14, 1839 – October 7, 1928) was an American army officer, politician, and diplomat.
. After the outbreak of the Civil War
, he joined the Army of the Potomac
as a Sergeant. Breveted four times for gallantry in action, he participated in many battles in the Eastern Theater
, and finished the war at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The war over, Graves decided to stay in the army until December 1870, at which time he was discharged from the Thirty-fourth infantry.
, where he initially involved himself various business ventures including shipping, real estate, iron mining, and insurance, and became the first person to ship wheat from Duluth's port in 1871. He then entered local politics, first as a Republican
in the Minnesota Senate
representing District 29 from 1873 to 1876. He then served as Mayor of Duluth from 1881 to 1883. On November 11, 1888 he was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives
from District 46, serving a term from January 9, 1889 to January 5, 1891, during which time he served as Speaker of the House for the twenty-sixth Minnesota Legislature
.
from 1905 to 1913 and to Norway
from 1905 to 1906. Just before leaving for his posts, Graves announced at a farewell banquet that he would be marrying a Miss Alice Kinney from Athens, Pennsylvania
on April 25.
Military
Hinman was born in Springfield, MassachusettsSpringfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
. After the outbreak of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he joined the Army of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
as a Sergeant. Breveted four times for gallantry in action, he participated in many battles in the Eastern Theater
Eastern Theater of the American Civil War
The Eastern Theater of the American Civil War included the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and the coastal fortifications and seaports of North Carolina...
, and finished the war at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The war over, Graves decided to stay in the army until December 1870, at which time he was discharged from the Thirty-fourth infantry.
Politics
Following his discharge from the army, Graves moved to the port city of Duluth, MinnesotaDuluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
, where he initially involved himself various business ventures including shipping, real estate, iron mining, and insurance, and became the first person to ship wheat from Duluth's port in 1871. He then entered local politics, first as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
in the Minnesota Senate
Minnesota Senate
The Minnesota Senate is the upper house in the Minnesota Legislature. There are 67 members, half as many as are in the Minnesota House of Representatives. In terms of membership, it is the largest upper house of any state legislature. Each Senate district in the state includes an A and B House...
representing District 29 from 1873 to 1876. He then served as Mayor of Duluth from 1881 to 1883. On November 11, 1888 he was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives
Minnesota House of Representatives
The Minnesota House of Representatives is the lower house in the Minnesota State Legislature. There are 134 members elected to two-year terms, twice the number of members in the Minnesota Senate. Each senate district is divided in half and given the suffix A or B...
from District 46, serving a term from January 9, 1889 to January 5, 1891, during which time he served as Speaker of the House for the twenty-sixth Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota Legislature
The Minnesota Legislature is the legislative branch of government in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is a bicameral legislature located at the Minnesota Capitol in Saint Paul and it consists of two houses: the lower Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate...
.
Diplomacy
Graves was later appointed as United States Ambassador to SwedenUnited States Ambassador to Sweden
The United States Ambassador to Sweden serves as the chief representative of the United States Foreign Service to the Kingdom of Sweden, and 1814 to 1905, also to Norway, which was politically aligned with Sweden...
from 1905 to 1913 and to Norway
United States Ambassador to Norway
Prior to 1905, Sweden and Norway were politically united. The United States Ambassador to Sweden thus was the US representative for Norway as well as Sweden. In 1905 Sweden and Norway peacefully separated and Norway became an independent constitutional monarchy. On November 14, 1905, the US State...
from 1905 to 1906. Just before leaving for his posts, Graves announced at a farewell banquet that he would be marrying a Miss Alice Kinney from Athens, Pennsylvania
Athens, Pennsylvania
Athens is a borough in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, two miles south of the N. Y. State line on the Susquehanna and Chemung rivers. Population in 1900, 3,749; and in 1910, 3,796. The population was 3,415 at the 2000 census...
on April 25.