In today’s episode, I’m sharing a story about the 1914 World Welterweight Boxing Champion, Perry “Ivan” Graves. Graves was born July 11, 1892 in Rock Bluff, Nebraska and died at the age of 71 on July 24, 1963 in Rock Bluff, Nebraska. Listen in >>HERE<< as I share the limited history we have of this man and a bit of the background of the once thriving town of Rock Bluff Nebraska.
Graves served as a volunteer instructor on a dollar a year basis during WWI and was considered to the rank of First Lieutenant. He saw service in Alaska and Mexico and during WWII, he worked at the Martin Plant. [The Glenn L. Martin Bomber Plant (also known as Air Force Plant 1) was an aircraft manufacturing facility in the central United States, located at Offutt Field, Nebraska, south of Omaha. Adjacent to suburban Bellevue in Sarpy County, the plant was operational during World War II, from 1942 to 1945.]
Graves is also said to have been a Police Magistrate in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. In his spare time, he also played the violin. His having been made by his father, Alvin Sherad Graves.
Many of Graves’ earlier reported fights took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while the later career fights were fought in Brooklyn, NY. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and of the First Christian Church. Graves married Kathryn T. Brosman Aug 1913, in Yakima, Washington. Kathryn was born Sep 9, 1892, in Brooklyn, NY and she died Feb 12, 1975.
Graves stood 5’ ft 7” inches, and weighed between 125-to-152 pounds during his 15-year professional career, which began in 1910. Graves was a fast and clever boxer, who knew how to use the ring and was a fast and sharp puncher.
Perry Graves is buried at the Rock Bluff Cemetery, Rock Bluff, Nebraska.
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