From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
publ. 1912, Page 1454-1455
 
JOHN RICHARD GRAYDON.  One of the best remembered men of the eastern part of 
Walworth county, whose memory is revered by a host of friends and 
acquaintances among whom he labored, was the late John Richard GRAYDON, who 
spent his energies through a life of strenuous endeavor to make the most of 
his opportunities as well as to assist as best he could his neighbors and 
friends to improve their condition.  In all the relations of life he proved 
signally true to every trust.  He possessed a social nature and by his genial 
and kindly attitude to those as a careful and able business man and one whose 
integrity of purpose was beyond question.
 
Mr. GRAYDON was born at Otis, Indiana, on November 14, 1862.  He is the son of 
William and Sarah GRAYDON, natives of Canada, where they spent their earlier 
years, coming to Indiana when young.  The father is deceased and his widow is 
still living in Indiana.  The elder GRAYDON was a soldier in the Union army 
during the Civil war.
 
John R. GRAYDON was reared on the home farm in Indiana and there assisted with 
the general work when a boy.  He received his education in the public schools 
of his native community and in Valparaiso University.  When a young man he 
went to Chicago and there learned the ice manufacturing business, becoming 
superintendent of the Knickerbockers Ice Company, where he remained for some 
time.  He came to Eagle, Wisconsin in 1898 and there built an ice plant, and 
there engaged successfully in the ice business until 1907, when he came to 
East Troy, Walworth county, and built a fine home on Beulah avenue and here he 
continued to reside until his death, on December 10, 1910.  He had been very 
successful as a business man, being a good manager and applied himself closely 
to his work, and through his individual efforts he accumulated a competency.
 
Politically, Mr. GRAYDON was a Republican, and while he took a good citizen's 
interest in public affairs he never sought office.  Fraternally, he was a 
Freemason and a member of the Beavers.
 
Mr. GRAYDON was married on July 30, 1891, to Elizabeth L. BOOTH, who was born 
in Elmwood, Illinois.  She was the daughter of Ferdinand D. and Mary Ellen 
(ESLINGER) BOOTH, the father a native of Hartford, Connecticut, born in 1838 
and the mother's birth occurred at Middleton, Ohio, in 1844.  Mr. BOOTH came 
to Peoria county, Illinois, when a child with his parents, Louis and Harriet 
BOOTH, and there the parents spent the balance of their lives.
 
The father of Mrs. GRAYDON was a dealer in horses and he went to Texas where 
he became interested in irrigation, and there his death occurred on June 20, 
1898.  His widow survives.  They were the parents of seven children, five of 
whom are living at this writing.
 
Politically, Mr. BOOTH was a Republican, fraternally a Freemason, and 
religiously a Congregationalist.  To Mr. and Mrs. GRAYDON two children were 
born, Arthur John and Margaret Etola.
 
Submitted by Carol