Biography.guide
Home › People › Politician › John McGraw
Portrait of John McGraw

John McGraw

1850 – 1910

American politician

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About John McGraw

Lived 1850 – 1910 (aged 59). John McGraw was an American politician and lawyer.

John Harte McGraw (October 4, 1850 June 23, 1910) was an American attorney, businessman, and politician who served as the second governor of Washington from 1893 to 1897.

Biography

McGraw was born in Penobscot County, Maine and arrived in Washington in December 1876. He served as Republican governor January 9, 1893 - January 11, 1897. Previously he was chief of the Seattle Police Department and was also sheriff of King County, Washington during the Seattle riot of 1886.

McGraw, a law graduate, had also been President of Seattle First National Bank and Seattle Chamber of Commerce. After leaving office, he made money during the Klondike Gold Rush, much needed since he had to repay the State $10,000 following an investigation into his term of office.

He died from typhoid fever in Seattle on June 23, 1910.

A bronze statue of McGraw sculpted by Richard E. Brooks in 1913 stands at McGraw Square in Seattle.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Positions held
Governor of Washington
Also known as
John Harte McGraw, John H. McGraw

People in John McGraw's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John McGraw's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John McGraw?

American politician (1850-1910)

When was John McGraw born?

John McGraw was born on 4 October 1850 in Penobscot County.

When did John McGraw die?

John McGraw died on 23 June 1910 in Seattle.

What was John McGraw's occupation?

John McGraw was a politician and lawyer.

What nationality was John McGraw?

John McGraw was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John McGraw

· Wikidata: Q371421

· DBpedia: John McGraw (governor)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John McGraw. https://biography.guide/john-mcgraw/

MLA: "John McGraw." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-mcgraw/.

Chicago: "John McGraw." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-mcgraw/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:22 UTC