Abel Garrett 1835-1894

GARRETT, KELKER, FREELAND, BLOXSON

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 1/8/2021 at 06:28:20

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Wednesday, January 10, 1894
page 1

Abel Garrtet [mis-spelled]
Was born in Devonshire, England, May 9, 1835. He died at his home in Wapello, Iowa, January 4, 1893.These dates mark the beginning and the end of a busy life. From the age of ten up to twenty-one he followed a seafaring life and, as a common sailor, he visited every quarter of the globe. In 1846, with others of his family, he emigrated to America. He first settled at South Charleston, Ohio. Soon after he removed to Xenia, same state, where he learned the trade of blacksmith. thence he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was married to Elizabeth Felker, who with six of seven children born to them survive him. The children living are Mrs. G. A. Freeland, George W, Robert M., J. E , H. W. and Clarence A. The latter makes his home in Tipton; the others live in or near Wapello. In 1855 Mr. Garrett went into business at Burlington but a year later pulled up and came to Wapello which became his permanent home. He first engaged in the manufacture of wagons and plows and did a general blacksmithing business. In 1860 he entered the mercantile business which he continued without interruption to the day of his death. Of the six boys and six girls comprising his father's family, only one, a sister, Mrs. Harriet Bloxson, of Beloit, Kansas, is now living. Mr. Garrett was baptized into the church of England in infancy, at Trusham, England. Continuing his connection with the Episcopal church in this country. He was buried from his late home in Wapello at 1 o'clock p. m. Saturday, January 6. Services were conducted by the Rev. J. H. Condit. An immense concourse of friends gathered t pay their last tribute of respect to the man who had been one of them for a third of a century. He leaves a valuable property which will be disposed of as the statutes provide, as he made now will.