Nathan A. Graves Sr. was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, in 1870. He first came to North Dakota in 1891, but returned to Indiana a year later. He came back to North Dakota to establish a permanent home in 1897. He married Myra Jane Hollister in 1901, who came to Carrington from Austin, Minnesota, to work for C. H. Davidson. Mr. Davidson founded the bank, which later became the First National Bank.
Three children were born to the Graves family. Clare, who died as a child, Lester and Albert (N. A. Jr.). The Graves built in 1910, the house which still stands at 612 Main Street.
When Mr. Graves first came to Carrington, he was a barber. Later he went into partnership with W. F. Moore in the real estate and farming business. They built and developed what was known as "The Sterling Farm" one mile east of Carrington in Carrington Township on Section 16. The farm became a showplace, and was also developed to prove the value of diversified farming raising corn, purebred horses cattle, hogs and sheep. They also owned and operated a seed cleaning plant, and cooperated with North Dakota Agricultural College in experimental farm work.
The real estate business also took Moore and Graves into Canada.
Mr. Graves died in 1932 and Mrs. Graves died in 1963. They are buried in the Carrington Cemetery.
Lester Graves born in 1906 married Margaret Pederson and resides in Spokane.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 24B