HON. ALEXANDER M. GARRETT.
View Portrait of Alexander M. Garrett
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On the streets of the enterprising little town of Letts, Iowa, there appears no figure better known than that of Hon. Alexander M. Garrett, who for many years has been one of the prominent and influential men in the business and political circles of Louisa county. The familiar name of “Dick” by which he is known to a large number of friends and acquaintances, is indicative of the popularity of the man and the affection in which he is held by those who have come in close contact with him.
A native of Louisa county, Iowa, he was born in Concord township, on a farm two and a half miles west of Letts, on the 31st of March, 1857, a son of Barton and Elizabeth (Finley) Garrett, natives of Floyd county, Kentucky, and Ohio respectively. The former came to Iowa in 1852 and the latter in 1839, her parents being numbered among the earliest of the pioneer settlers of Louisa county. After their marriage the father took up the occupation of farming, his first purchase of land constituting the nucleus of the present homestead. As the years passed he prospered and as success came to him he invested in more land until, at the time of his death, he was the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, all under a high state of cultivation. He passed away on the 22d of November, 1910, having survived his wife, for forty years, her death occurring on the 5th of May, 1870. After her demise he was again married, in 1873, to Miss Susanna M. Dodder, a native of New Jersey, who came to Iowa in 1836, the family home being located near Grand View. By his first marriage Mr. Garrett became the father of four children, as follows: Alexander M., of this review; Ulric, of Letts; James M., residing in Kansas City, Missouri; and Barton, who passed away in 1867, at the age of two years. Unto the second union was born one son: Joseph H., who was born in 1874, and now resides upon and operates the old homestead farm.
Amid the busy activities and wholesome surrounds of rural life Alexander M. Garrett spend the period of his early life and in the district school he ac- . . .
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. . . quired a good education. He assisted in the cultivation of the home farm when not busily occupied with his text-books and remained with his father until he was twenty-one years of age. Upon attaining his majority, he took up farming on his own account, in connection with a brother, with whom he has since been associated. Together they purchased three hundred and sixty-eight acres in Concord township which they owned and operated for a number of years. Under their supervision this became a finely improved property and was known as one of the best stock farms in Louisa county, the brothers engaging extensively in the livestock business. Selling this place in 1900 they came to Letts and have since been associated in the ownership and operation of the Letts Grain Elevator. Mr. Garrett is also a heavy feeder and shipper of livestock, having handled more stock than any other man in Louisa county. He has been a feeder and shipper for thirty-four years, being one of the oldest shippers in the county, and is one of the best judges of stock in this part of the state, his opinions being accepted as authority in this connection. He has done much to stimulate the interest of others in this line of activity and his efforts have been effective forces in establishing and maintaining a high standard of stock in Louisa county.
Mr. Garrett was married, on the 8th of October, 1878, to Miss Laura S. Dill, who was born at Todd Town, now a part of Columbus Junction, Iowa, a daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth J. (Fowler) Dill. Both parents were born in Ohio, where they were reared and married in 1854. In the following year they came to Iowa, first locating at Todd Town, where they lived for four years, after which they removed to Fredonia, in Concord township, where their remaining days were spent. The father, who was a physician, followed his profession in that city for about twenty-four years, and also practiced for about four years previously in Todd Town. Mrs. Garrett was the younger of two daughters, her sister, Mary, being now the wife of John Conlin, a carpenter and contractor of Oneida, Kansas. In 1869 the mother passed away at the age of thirty-four years, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Fredonia. The father again married, about two years later, his second union being to Miss Mary Mickey, who was born in Louisa county, and to them were born two children: Bessie, the wife of A. M. Reynolds, of Chicago, Illinois; and Georgiana, who married W. M. Coats, of Hoxie, Arkansas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Garrett have been born three children, namely: J. Bertram, born January 5, 1880, who is a high school graduate, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and carries on farming in Louisa county; Elizabeth J., born January 26, 1881, who graduated from high school and also had the benefit of a good musical education and who is now the wife of E. R. McCormick, cashier of the Citizens Savings Bank of Letts; and A. May, who was born on the 25th of January, 1883, and became the wife of F. S. Barnes, cashier of the First National Bank of Marcus, Iowa, by whom she has one daughter, Laura E. The youngest daughter after her graduation from the Letts high school pursued a course of study at Drake University at Des Moines, and taught school for several years previous to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett are also rearing Miss Mamie E. Garrett, a daughter of J. M. Garrett, a brother of our subject, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 5th of . . .
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. . . May, 1897. She lost her mother during her infancy and will remain under the guardianship of her uncle until she becomes of age. She is now attending school in Kansas City and is making a specialty of the study of music.
Although the business affairs of Mr. Garrett have taken much of his time and attention, and have demanded unremitting endeavor on his part, he has nevertheless found time to participate in other interests and today he is ranked among the political leaders of Louisa county, being a stanch Bryan democrat. He is at present serving as a member of the city council of Letts, which position he has occupied for eight years. He is now serving also his district as senator from Louisa and Muscatine counties, ably and capably representing his fellow citizens in the upper house, being elected for a term of four years. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and both are well known in fraternal circles here, Mr. Garrett belonging to Triangular Lodge, No. 245, A.F. & A.M., of Letts; Composite Chapter No. 17, R.A.M., of Columbus Junction; and De Molay Commandery, No. 1, K.T., of Muscatine, Iowa. He has also crossed the sands of the desert with the nobles of Kaaba Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of Davenport. Mrs. Garrett belongs to the Fraternal Aid Association and the Royal Neighbors of America, both of Letts, also to the Order of the Eastern Star, of this city, of which she is worthy matron, and likewise holds membership in the Legislative Ladies’ League of Des Moines.
The true measure of success is determined by what one has accomplished, and, as taken in contradistinction to the old adage that “A prophet is not without honor save in his own country,” there is particular interest attaching to the career of Mr. Garrett. For, spending his entire life within the borders of his native county he has not only gained distinction for himself because of his successful activity along business and political lines, but also for the prominent place which he has won for himself in the respect, confidence and love of his fellow citizens.
