Charles H. Graves was born in Ottawa County, Ohio.

[2] Graves married Emma B. Mylander of Oak Harbor on September 2, 1896, and had two sons.

He served as city solicitor of Oak Harbor, and as Prosecuting Attorney of Ottawa County, Ohio, elected to three year terms in 1900 and 1903.

In 1909 he was chairman of the Ottawa County Democratic Central and Executive Committees.

[2] Graves was elected on the Democratic ticket as Secretary of State in 1910, and re-elected in 1912.