For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 650
JOHN S. GARNES. John S. Garnes, an enterprising citizen of Muscatine county and the owner of a well improved farm in Fruitland township, was born on the homestead where he now resides, July 19, 1856. He is a son of John W. Garnes, for many years prominently identified with the farming interests of this county, who was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 1819, and died in Muscatine county in 1901, at the age of eighty-one years. He came to Muscatine county in 1854, and after making his home for a time in Bloomington township, settled on Muscatine Island, where he spent the remainder of his life, extending over a period of forty-six years. He was an industrious man of good judgment and became the owner of two hundred acres of land. A stanch friend of education, he served for many years as school trustee, and was also an active member of the United Brethren church. Originally a whig, he became a republican and was a great admirer of the principles of that party. The mother of our subject was Sarah L. Shammo before her marriage, daughter of John and Mary Shammo, of Pennsylvania. There were three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Garnes, the subject of this review being the youngest. Sadie E. and Ella R. were both married and are now deceased.John S. Garnes received his early education in the district schools of Muscatine county and later entered the Eastern Iowa Normal School, where he pursued a business course, which in later years proved of great advantage to him in conducting his affairs. Returning home, he assisted in the work of the farm until twenty-one years of age, when he entered into partnership with his father, this relationship continuing until the death of the latter, since which time our subject has farmed on his own account. He now owns three hundred and ninety acres in Muscatine county. Having as a boy become thoroughly acquainted with farm management, his affairs have been ably conducted, and he is enjoying at the present time the result of many years of well directed application. He raises good grades of stock, and the orderly appearance of his place indicates that it receives careful attention.
In 1880, Mr. Garnes was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Shepard, whose father was a native of Massachusetts but removed to Kansas where he continued until his death. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Garnes: Howard S., who married Jessie Blanck, a daughter of John and Amanda Cornelia Blanck, of Muscatine county, and is the mother of two children: Cornelia, and Howard Leslie; John W., who married Ola, a daughter of Ely Summers, of Muscatine; Maud, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Edith and Sadie.
Mr. Garnes is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, with whose fraternal principles he is in hearty accord. He gives his support to the republican party and has held a number of offices of trust, serving as township assessor, township trustee and school director. For more than fifty years he has been a resident of Muscatine county and in that time he has witnessed many changes, keeping step himself with the march of progress, so that today he ranks among the representative farmers of the county. His success has been won by industry and perseverance under the direction of a sound judgment, making him recognized as one of the substantial men of the community.
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