George Graham was a man who lived in a time where he could easily make history and he did. In various areas, George Graham served his country. Born in 1732, he would become best known for a mission that he participated in to Galveston Island in Texas.
George Graham arrived in Galveston in 1818. He arrived by boat with the intention of convincing a small colony to accept American jurisdiction. Under the terms of the Louisiana Purchase, the U.S. eventually claimed Texas around the same time as Graham visited the island. His role in Galveston isn't fully understood but he was instrumental overall in the Galveston acceptance.
Graham would make history during his lifetime on various occasions. He was the first Anglo-American to go on a voyage to Texas that was recorded. He would also go on to serve under two presidents from 1815 until 1818 as the United States Secretary of War.
George Graham also served as president of the Washington branch of the Bank of the United States. He was there from 1819 until 1823 before he moved into another role. From 1823 until 1830, he served as Commissioner of the United States Land Office. He died in 1830 and is buried at the Arlington Cemetery.
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