John Marion Graham was born in Augusta, Georgia in 1859. His parents were Andrew Graham and Mary Kane Stephens Graham. He was educated in schools in Augusta, Atlanta, and Pio Nono College in Macon. He studied law under Judge A. O. Lochrane in Atlanta and was admitted to the bar at age 17. He practiced law in Augusta, Macon, and Atlanta. He married Augusta Strong of Atlanta. Graham was the owner and editor of the Crawfordville, Georgia Democrat. He was secretary to Alexander H. Stephens during his service in Congress, secretary of the Georgia Supreme Court justices, assistant reporter of Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, and compiler and editor of state law reports with Judge George Stevens. He held memberships in the American, Georgia, and Atlanta Bar Associations, American Law Institute, and Atlanta Lawyers Club. He was a charter member of the Atlanta Historical Society, Pioneer School Boys Association, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He drafted amendments to the state constitution which established the court of appeals and compulsory school attendance. He died September 13, 1935 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery.