Nat L. Graves

GRAVES: News was received here this morning from Barton of the death of Nat L. Graves, Sr., at his home near that place yesterday morning. Very few particulars of the passing away of Mr. Graves were sent to a friend of the family here but it is known that he had been ill for some time and that his death was not unexpected. Mr. Graves was one of the oldest citizens of Phillips County, having been born and raised at Barton and in that immediate vicinity. His father was one of the pioneers of this section of Arkansas and lived for many years before the war on the place where the town of Barton now stands. Nat Graves entered the Confederate Army from Barton, being a member of Dublin’s (Dobbins’? ed.) regiment and served during the entire four years with much distinction and genuine bravery.

At one time he was perhaps the largest planter in the county and certainly one of the largest. He was always a prominent man and one was universally respected and beloved. He was about sixty-five years of age at the time of his death. For many years after the war Mr. Graves lived near Lexa, where he had a plantation of several hundred acres and about ten years ago removed to the Barton neighborhood, where he died........... He was twice married and his wife, together with two sons, survive him. The sons are Messrs. Lexa and Nat L. Graves, Jr. The funeral was held this morning at 10 o’clock at the family residence...Rev. W. W. Harrison, pastor of the Presbyterian church of this city, conducting the funeral.

(Ed. note: Inventory of Barton-Green Cemetery, burial place of Nat L. Graves, printed in the TCGS Journal Vol 24 No. 2, Summer 2009)