Graham sworn in as clerk of the circuit court

Dan Kegley/John Graham and Judge Isaac Freeman

By: Stephanie Porter-Nichols | Smyth County News
Published: February 02, 2010

Marion --

Friday brought a rare moment of both history and levity with the swearing in of attorney John Graham as clerk of the circuit court, a post rarely open in the last couple of generations and vacated last year by the death of Jimmy Warren.
Circuit Court Judge Isaac Freeman stirred laughter, including his own, in a stumble over Graham’s middle name in prompting the clerk-elect to repeat, “I John Herbert Graham.”
From the clerk-to-be came the respectful correction, “I John Hubert Graham.”
Freeman said he’d only learned Graham’s middle name that afternoon and wondered if photographers in the room captured his red face.
Then, with solemnity’s return, Graham became clerk and shook the judge’s hand as Graham’s family, friends and colleagues applauded.
Shortly after 5 that afternoon, Graham was seen good-naturedly throwing his hands in the air on discovering he was already out of the family business, Graham & Graham, that he operated with his brother, Patton Graham. A piece of paper taped to the sign on the office just yards from the courthouse covered the “& Graham.” The displaced Graham started his new job Monday.

Graham sworn in as clerk of the circuit court

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