Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 760
WILLIAM F. GARNER

William F. GARNER, whose farm home is situated on section 34, of Raglan Township, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1861, with his parents, who settled on the place they now occupy. William F. remained at home until he was of age, working on the farm summers and attending school winters. When he went for himself he first rented land in Magnolia Township, where he farmed three years, and then farmed two years near Logan, after which he moved to Raglan Twp, rented land one year, and in 1881 bought his present place, which then consisted of 95 acres of partly-improved land. His place is now well improved; is provided with good buildings; water pumped by wind power, and is made more valuable by shade trees and an orchard of 700 trees. His farm now consists of two hundred and thirty-five acres; fifty-five acres being under the plow, and the balance in pasture, timber and meadow land. Great has been the change since this gentleman -- the first year of the Civil War -- looked out upon the unsettled domain of Harrison County. The goodly home that he possesses came not by heirship, but by his own brain and muscle.

Mr. GARNER was born in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, March 5, 1854. He is the son of Henry and Ann M. GARNER, natives of North Carolina and Maryland respectively, whose fourteen children were as follows: Amanda J., Margaret E., William F., GeorgeW., Harriet E., Caroline M., John P., Stephen and Eva A., deceased; Sarah E. and Mary E., twins; James F., Bertha E., and Minnie M.

Our subject lived in Pottowattamie County until six years of age, when his parents moved to this county.

April 25, 1875, he was married to Margaret H. BLACKMAN, the former a native of Canada, and the latter of New York State. Mr. and Mrs. BLACKMAN were the parents of nine children -- Stephen M., Charles W., Margaret H., John H., deceased; Juliet, George J., Harriet E., Chester H., Laura B.

Our subject and his wife are the parents of the following children -- Mark L., born February 3, 1876; John S., July 27, 1881; and Edna E., November 20, 1883.

Mr. GARNER is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Magnolia Lodge, No. 126. Both he and his wife are members of the Latter Day Saints Church.

Politically, he is identified with the People's party.

Return to 1891 Biographical G Surnames Index

Back to 1891 Biographies Index