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         BARTON GARRETT, an early settler and respected citizen of Louisa County, Iowa, residing on section 11, Concord Township, was born in Kentucky in 1828, and was the sixth in a family of eight children, who were born to Middleton and Jane (Hendrick) Garrett, the former also a native of Kentucky, the latter of Virginia. The father was a farmer, and in 1833 departed this life, leaving the care of a large family to his wife. Nobly did she perform the duties devolving upon her, watching over her children, providing for their wants, and training them to be true and upright men and women. Accompanied by her family she came to Iowa in 1853, and here purchased land. She did the spinning and weaving of the cloth with which they were clothed, and though her tasks were many and arduous she never faltered. The death of this most estimable lady occurred in March, 1885, but her memory will ever be held sacred by her children.

The entire life of our subject has been spent upon a farm. His education was received in the district schools of his native State, and in 1852 he came to Iowa a single man, settling in Muscatine County, where he planted and harvested one crop, but the following spring removed to Louisa County. Buying 160 acres of raw prairie land, only three acres being broken, on section 11 of Concord Township, he immediately began its improvement, erecting a house, setting out trees and planting the grain. Two years later, in 1856, Mr. Garrett was united in marriage with Elizabeth Finley, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Newell) Finley, who were also born in the Buckeye State. Her father was a cabinet-maker, but in connection with his work in that line he engaged in farming. In the pioneer days of Louisa County he became one of its residents, entered and held land until it came into market, when he purchased it at the Burlington land sale of 1839. This uncultivated tract was soon transformed into a beautiful farm, upon which the father resided until his death, which occurred a number of years ago. The mother died in 1872.

Mr. and Mrs. Garrett began their domestic life upon the farm which he had purchased on coming to the county. Since that time he has added to the original tract until his farm now comprises 126 acres of fine arable land, and is one of the best in the township. It is pleasantly situated about two and one-half miles from Letts, and has all the latest improvements. Our subject has always taken a prominent part in political affairs, is a Greenbacker, and has held various offices of trust in the township and county, now serving his third term as County Commissioner. He has done all in his power to advance the educational interests, and is a member of the A.F. & A.M., Triangular Lodge No. 245, at Letts.

In 1870 the death of Mrs. Garrett occurred, after a lingering illness of three years with consumption. Four children had been born of that union, three of whom are now living. Alexander M. is married and resides in Concord Township; Ulrich is also married and lives in Concord Township; J. M. makes his home in Nebraska; and Barton, the youngest, died in 1867 at the age of two years.

In November, 1873, in Louisa county, Mr. Garrett was again united in marriage, Miss Susanna M. Dodder, who was born in New Jersey, becoming his wife. This lady is a daughter of Joseph W. and Sarah (Yoemans) Dodder, who were natives of New Jersey and who came to Iowa in 1836, settling near the village of Grand View, where the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1884, the mother dying Aug. 15, 1886. . . .

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. . . By this second union one child has been born, a son, Joseph H., who is attending school. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Letts, and are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.