George L. Graves was born October 16, 1859, in Indiana. He was left an
  orphan at 14 years of age, together with a younger brother, John, and a 
  sister, Amelia (Mrs. Geo. Hill).
     Working his way west, he located for a time at St. Catherine, Missouri.
  It was here he met and married Julia Effie Hull in 1882. They later
  established their home in Raton, New Mexico, where he was employed by the
  Santa Fe Railroad as conductor. Three children were born in Raton; Mable,
  who died at age of five of typhoid fever, George L. Jr., and William C.
     He homesteaded 160 acres of land in Barber County, Kansas, five miles
  NE of Hardtner, Kansas. He brought his family here in 1889 where they lived
  until their deaths in 1937 and 1938, with the exception of eight years when
  they lived in Alva, Oklahoma, so their children could continue their 
  education. They moved back to the farm in 1916.
     After moving her in 1889, two more children were born, J. LeRoy and 
  Blanch (Sterling). All of the children and their mates are now deceased
  except myself. I married William C., George Jr. married Zella Blunk, J.
  LeRoy married Luella DeMott, Blanch married George Sterling. We all lived 
  in this part of the country.
     In early days before this country was surveyed, there was just a trail
  leading from Medicine Lodge to Alva, Oklahoma. This place was just about
  halfway between, so anyone going from one of these towns to another, would
  drive to this place the first day, camp overnight, and go on the next day.
     There was a tall pole in the yard and a latern would be hung on it at
  night so that travelers could find their way. Carrie Nation stopped here
  many times.
     When Geo. L. Graves first brought his family here, theylived in a dug
  out. Later on they built a one and one half story frame house, which now
  stands. My oldest son, Robert E. and his wife, Patricia, have raised their
  eight children here. This house was completely modern when built over sixty
  years ago.
     The barn that is still being used was built from lumber hauled by team
  and wagon from Harper, Kansas, as that was the closest shipping point.
     From the time Geo. L. Graves homesteaded this 160 acres up until his
  death in 1938, he had acquired 2200 acres of land. Some of this land was
  bought in early day by paying the unpaid taxes, some was bought outright.
  At the time of his death it was divided amoung the four children. In the
  acreage we received was the home place.
                 
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 200  
     Submitted by: Mrs. Agnes (Schumm) Graves