William J. Graham

William Graham
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals
In office June 8, 1924 – November 10, 1937
Appointed by	Calvin Coolidge
Preceded by	George Martin
Succeeded by	Finis Garrett
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 14th district
In office March 4, 1917 – June 7, 1924
Preceded by	Clyde Tavenner
Succeeded by	John Allen
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office 1915–1916
Personal details
Born	(1872-02-07)February 7, 1872 New Castle, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

William Johnson Graham (February 7, 1872 – November 10, 1937) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois.

Born near New Castle, Pennsylvania, Graham moved to Illinois with his parents, who settled near Aledo, Mercer County, in 1879. He attended the public schools. He was graduated from the law department of the University of Illinois at Urbana in 1893. He was admitted to the bar in 1895 and commenced practice in Aledo, Illinois. He served as prosecuting attorney of Mercer County 1901-1909. He served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1912. He served as member of the State house of representatives in 1915 and 1916.

Graham was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-fifth and to the three succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1917, to June 7, 1924, when he resigned. He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of War (Sixty-sixth Congress). He was appointed by President Coolidge on May 29, 1924, as presiding judge of the United States Court of Customs Appeals, Washington, D.C., and served from June 8, 1924, until his death in Washington, D.C., November 10, 1937. He remains were cremated and the ashes interred in Aledo Cemetery, Aledo, Illinois.

References

• William J. Graham at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Federal Judicial Center entry on William J. Graham

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Clyde Tavenner	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 14th congressional district 1917–1924	Succeeded by John Allen
Preceded by Peter Dooling	Chairperson of the House War Expenditures Committee 1919–1921	Succeeded by Royal Johnson
Legal offices
Preceded by George Martin	Chief Judge of the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals 1924–1937	Succeeded by Finis Garrett