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GARRABRANT, Jacob 1831-1912

GARRABRANT, PARSONS, PAXTON

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 7/7/2013 at 23:58:54

[Waterloo Evening Courier, Tuesday, February 20, 1912]

VILLAGE SMITHY CALLED BY DEATH

Jacob Garrabrant located Shop here in 1856

Farmers Paid Him in Grain, Furs of Animals and Other Produce.

Jacob Garrabrant, a blacksmith who established a shop in Waterloo in 1856, passed away at 1:20 this morning at his home, 911 Sycamore street. He suffered a stroke of paralysis last Saturday afternoon and rapidly failed. His condition of health had previous been delicate. He had suffered for several years from asthma. His wife died June 22, 1907 and a daughter, Mrs. L. S. Parsons, died several years ago.

The surviving relatives are Will, Stockton, and Ira, who is a city fireman, lived with his father since his mother's death. Mrs. Ellen Paxton, a sister, and Cornelius Garrabrant, a brother, live in New Jersey, which was Jacob Garrabrant's native state.

He was born near Orange, July 13, 1831, and was 81 years of age. Shortly after his marriage on Jan. 26, 1855, in New Jersey, Mr. Garrabrant moved to LaPorte, Ind., where he remained only a short time. The couple came to Waterloo in 1856.

One of Earliest Blacksmiths.
Mr. Garrabrant located his Smithy on what is now Sycamore Street, in the vicinity of First or Second street. While there he did blacksmithing work for the Illinois Central. The farmers did not require much of his attention at that time because tillers of the soil were very scarce and knew nothing of the complicated agricultural machinery of these later days. Later the shop was removed to a site on Sycamore street, at a point intermediate between the Masonic temple and the Commercial bank building. The next location was on Fourth street east, where now is located the Palace clothing store. There the smithy remained for nine years, when it was removed to the present location at 612 Water Street.

Paid in Produce and Skins.
In the early days the blacksmiths in common with other tradesmen, extended credit for a year or until "after harvest". This system of credit resulted in the loss of many an account, but prices were good and the pioneers pulled away under the load. Pay was accepted in the produce of the farm, in skins of wild animals and in almost every known commodity. About twenty-three years ago Mr. Garrabrant retired from active work because of an attack of asthma.

Was Famous Bowler.
Notwithstanding his age, Mr. Garrabrant derived great pleasure from bowling, and claimed to be the undisputed champion of men of his age and even of those much younger. Bowling for years was almost his only recreation, and he took much delight in defeating the younger would-be champions. Mr. Garrabrant was a man of upright life, of sturdy manhood, and of helpful kindness. He did his full share in helping the city to develop by leaps and bounds.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.


 

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