James Allen Graham


James Allen Graham, was a North Carolina teacher and politician who served as the thirteenth North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture.

Early life

Graham was born on April 7, 1921 to James Turner and Laura Blanche Allen Graham in Cleveland, North Carolina. Graham was raised in Rowan County, North Carolina on a 250-acre farm where the family raised cotton, cattle and grain.

Education

Graham graduated from Cleveland High School in 1938, where he played on the High School football team. In 1942 Graham graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from North Carolina State College where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

Family life

Jim Graham married Helen Ida Kirk, on October 30, 1942, they had two daughters, Alice Kirk Graham, and Laura Constance Graham.

Commissioner of Agriculture

On July 19, 1964 Graham was appointed North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture, by Governor Terry Sanford, to fill the unexpired term of the late Lynton Y. Ballentine. Graham was elected Commissioner of Agriculture in November 1964 and reelected eight times.

Writings