early life and career charles s. graham, an american artist, was born in rock island, illinois in 1852. with no formal training as an artist, graham's early career began as a topographer for the northern pacific railway in idaho and montana during the 1870s. this experience likely influenced his later work as a scenic artist. artistic journey graham's artistic journey took a significant turn when he became a scenic artist for hooley's theater in chicago, followed by stints at several new york city theaters. in 1877, he joined harper & brothers, illustrating the american west for harper's week…