Lewis Milton Garrett (1911)

DANNER, GARRETT, WIMMER

Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:04:36

The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, December 21, 1911
Page 1, Column 3

Chief Pension Clerk Dead

Lewis Garrett, chief pension clerk in the Des Moines office died Monday. The demise was caused by an attack of anemia from which Mr. Garrett had suffered for more than a year, he being forced to take his bed about three weeks ago. He was 54 years old.

Nr. Garrett was a thirty-second degree mason, had been through all of the chairs in the Masonic order, served in public life and practiced law in Des Moines.

His first glimpse of this world was had at Winterset, where he was born April 16, 1857. He was a relative of the Danner family. He was well known in Winterset. He was a democrat and was appointed to his position under the Cleveland administration.
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The Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Iowa
Tuesday, December 19, 1911

LEWIS M. GARRETT REMOVED BY DEATH

Chief Pension Clerk, and Prominent Mason, Dies of Anemia

WAS ONCE ATTORNEY

Decedent Filled All the Chairs of the Masonic Order

Death removed one of Des Moines' best known citizens and prominent Masons at 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon when Lewis Milton Garrett, chief clerk of the local United States pension office, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Shepherd, 1219 West Fifth street, where he made his home. The demise was caused by an attack of anemia from which Mr. Garrett had suffered for more than a year, he being forced to take his bed about three weeks ago. He was 54 years old.

Mr. Garrett was a thirty-second degree Mason, had been through all of the chairs in the Masonic order, served In public life and practiced law in Des Moines. His first glimpse of this world was had at Winterset, la., where he was born April 18, 1857. Taking the usual course in the public schools, Mr. Garrett entered the Iowa State college at Ames and was graduated In due course of time. He taught school for a while in Polk county and later studied law, being admitted to the bar here In 1888.

Once on State Register.
Among his other employments in early life he worked for a time on the old Iowa State Register in an editorial capacity. After beginning his law he was appointed clerk of the Des Moines police court, which position he held for four years. At one time he was a partner of J. A. Dyer in legal work and later of the firm of Bennett & Garrett. Mr. Bennett is now located In Denver.

Under Grover Cleveland, the decedent was given a place as clerk in the pension office, he then being active In democratic politics. When Colonel Hedge was made agent a little more than a year ago, Mr. Garrett was promoted to the place of chief clerk. His total service in the pension office covered about eighteen years. He had been a resident of Des Moines for forty-eight years.

Mr. Garrett perhaps was better known as a Mason than a man in public life. Speaking of his Masonic career last night a fraternal brother said: Praise from Lodgemen. "Brother Garrett filled many minor offices in the several bodies of which he was a member, with credit to himself and honor to the fraternity; and in the ritualistic work, he was un-excelled, and by his death the various Masonic bodies will lose an energetic worker and a valued friend." His Masonic record is as follows: He was made a Mason In Pioneer lodge No. 22, A. F. and A. M., April 9, 1896, and was worshipful master In 1904 and 1905; was made a Royal Arch Mason in Corinthian chapter No. 14, R. A. M., July 21, 1902, and was high priest In 1906; was made a royal and select master in Alpha council No. 1, R. and S. M., May 20, 1903, and was thrice Illustrious master in 1908 and 1909; received the order of the temple in Temple commandery No. 4, Knights Templar, Nov. 28, 1902, and served as eminent commander during 1907; was made a thirty-second degree Mason in Des Moines consistory No. 3, Nov. 21, 1902, and served as wise master of Emanuel chapter, Rose Croix, during the years 1906-7-8-9-10, and was master of kadosh of Des Moines consistory No. 3, during the year 1910, and was elected knight commander of the court of honor by the supreme council at Washington, D. C. Oct 24, 1907.

Sister at His Bedside.

The only relative at his bedside when death occurred was his sister, Mrs. Anna E. Wimmer of Decatur, Ill. He leaves two brothers, however, J. D. Garrett of Chicago and L. P. Garrett of Helmsvillle, Mont. The latter will be unable to attend the funeral services which will held at the Shepherd home at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. The services will be conducted under the auspices of the Blue lodge with the following pallbearers: H. A. Durand, P. E. Van Housen, V. W. Graham, Horatio F. Dale, A. U. Chadwick and H. C. Klingman. The honorary pallbearers are H. C. Alverson, F. W. Craig, F. A. Brown, Crom Bowen C. T. Gadd and F. H. McArthur. Cars will be furnished for the lodge men in attendance. The Rev. Finis Idleman, pastor of the Central Church of Christ, will officiate. Burial will be made in Woodland cemetery.
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Transcriber's note: The Garrett family was in Madison County censuses from 1851 through 1860. The brother listed as "J. D. Garrett" is "Isom D. Garrett" per census records.

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