Garing, John

GARING, JOHNSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/25/2012 at 13:04:58

1880 History of Poweshiek County Iowa

UNION TOWNSHIP

Page 700

GARING, JOHN--Born in Wertemburg, Germany, February 23, 1838. He came to this country with his uncle, landing in New York, July 3, 1855. He went by railroad to Buffalo and by boat to Cleveland, where he worked for about two years. In 1857 young Garing, having in the meantime lost his uncle and aunt by cholera in Cleveland, sought employment in Monroe county, Illinois, where he labored on different farms for two years. In the fall of 1859 he started for Iowa, and on the 4th of September reached the neighborhood where he now resides. Having a patriotic feeling for his adopted land he enlisted August 1, 1861, in company F, Tenth Iowa. Soon the regiment was taken to the front and our Union soldier entered at once into active warfare. He was at various operative points on the Mississippi, in Missouri and other States, aided in capturing Island No. 10 and in the bombardment of Fort Pillow, in the battle of Iuka, September 19, 1862, and also the two days fight at Corinth, October 3 and 4. During the fall and winter of 1862-3, he was campaigning in Mississippi and Tennessee, wintering at Memphis. In the spring of 1863 the Tenth Iowa with the rest of General McPherson's corps passed down the river and operated at many points till called to the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, May 14, 1863. Two days later, May 16th, he fought in another battle, that hotly contested field at Champion's Hill, where our hero lost his arm. In his eagerness to stand in the front and punish the rebels a misdirected ball from a comrade's rifle wounded him and made the amputation of his arm necessary. He was discharged September 14, 1863, and came home again to Union township. He was married April 1, 1866, to Miss Mary M. Johnson, and has the following children: Viola G., Clara C., Edward L., John H. His farm of 270 acres, finely stocked, with an excellent orchard, is in section 34, Union township. He has ninety head of hogs and twenty head of thorough-bred cattle, a house and barn in good condition. His prosperity is a reward of his diligence and economy.