Background
Graham was born on April 7, 1921 to James Turner and Laura Blanche Allen Graham in Cleveland, North Carolina.
Graham was born on April 7, 1921 to James Turner and Laura Blanche Allen Graham in Cleveland, North Carolina.
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 from North Carolina State College.
Graham was raised in Rowan County, North Carolina on a 250-acre farm where the family raised cotton, cattle and grain. On July 19, 1964 Graham was appointed North Carolina, by Governor Terry Sanford, to fill the unexpired term of the late Lynton Y. Ballentine. Graham was elected in November 1964 and reelected eight times.
