Perry Graves

Perry Henry Graves Sr. (September 6, 1889 – January 9, 1979), was an All-American football player who played end for the University of Illinois from 1913 to 1915. In later life, he owned lumber companies.

Biography A native of Rockford, Illinois, Graves graduated from Rockford High School before enrolling at the University of Illinois. He played at the end position on Robert Zuppke's 1914 football team that won the Western Conference championship and tied Army for the national championship. Graves was a speedy, 148-pound end while starting for the Illini football team in 1914. In 1914, Graves and teammates Harold Pogue and Ralph Chapman became the first University of Illinois football players to be selected as first-team All-Americans. Graves was selected as a first-team All-American by Frank G. Menke, sporting editor of the International News Service.

After graduating from the University of Illinois, he worked as a lumber salesman for nine years. He moved to Robinson, Illinois, in 1925 and became a partner in the Otey Lumber Company. Graves later acquired the interest of his partner, and the business was renamed the Robinson Lumber Company. Graves acquired the Palestine Lumber Co. and the Oblong Lumber Co. and established the Hutsonville Lumber Co. He also officiated Big Ten football games for 22 years.