Garrett, William

GARRETT, MCKEAG, FERGUSON, BEELER, CARPENTER

Posted By: Bonnie Hargraves (email)
Date: 3/15/2003 at 17:47:56

County Down, Ireland, has been for a century or more a center from shich thousands of brave hearted young men and women have come to america, trusting that under the stars and stripes, they might possess the advantage denied them on the Emerald Isle.

To many, the change to new surrounding has proven of inestimable advantage and they live but to rejoice in the recollection of the day when first their feet trod the shoes of the world.

William Garrett, a prosperous farmer of Poweshiek County, Iowa is one of the fortunate natives of County Down, who enjoys richly deserved prosperity. He was born fourteen miles from Belfast, March 7, 1843, a son of William and Mary (McKeag) Garrett, both of whom were natives of County Down. The father was a farmer and he and his wife spent their entire lives in Ireland. They were staunch members of the Presbyterian Church. In their family were eight Children, David, Thomas and James all of whom are deceased; Robert, who is living in County Down; William of this review; Isabella who also is deceased; Mary, the wife of Nathanial Ferguson of County Down; and Henry also of County Down.

William Garrett received his early education in the common and high schools of Ireland. After this education was completed, he went to Belfast and for four years was in the employ of an wholesale dry goods house. He then took up his residence at Glasgow, Scotland, where he was connected with the commission business for one year. In the spring of 1864, he crossed the ocean and came west to Rock Island, Illinois, securing employment by the month for three summers and teaching school in the winter seasons. In 1867, he arrived in Poweshiek County, Iowa, and purchased 160 acres of land. After improving his property, he sold 80 acres and a year later disposed of the remainder of the land.

He then bought 172 acreas in Pleasant Township, which he cultivated for two years, and having disposed of it, purchased 80 acres in the same township, which he sold. He subsequently bought several tracts of land in Washington Township upon which he lived. The farm being increased to 160 by the addition of 80 acres which was inherited by his wife. He has greatly improved the farm and is now well established as an agricultural and stock raiser.

On the 29th of June 1869, Mr. Garrett was married to Miss Mary Ann Beeler, a daughter of George M. and Nancy (Carpenter) Beeler. To this union four children have born: Austin Clement, who is living at home, Milton H. of Jasper County, and Emanuel F. and Clarence R.(twins), the former of who is living at home and the latter in Grinnell Township.

Mr. Garrett has taken an active interest in political affairs and is affiliated with the Democratic Party. He is a man fo clear and sound judgement, as is attested by the fact that his neighbors elected him assessor of the township for nine years, and he is now a member of the school board. Genial and companiable, he makes friends readily and being a man of high character and well known deligence, he enjoys the confidence and esteem which is accorded only in the acknowledgment of true merit.

He was naturalized April 16, 1873, in Poweshiek County, Iowa.