Garland, John B.

GARLAND, HOSHALL, SWANEY, SWEANEY, BALDWIN, HAWKINS, SMITH, FRY, LINN

Posted By: LuAnn Goeke (email)
Date: 8/27/2008 at 09:18:13

John B. Garland - John B. Garland, a prominent agriculturalist residing on section 16, Kendrick township, was born in Boone county, Kentucky, November 25, 1840, a son of Ebenezer and Eliza (Hoshall) Garland, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Kentucky. Ebenezer Garland was born in 1814 and passed away in 1887, while his wife, who was born in 1816, departed this life in the year 1884. These worthy people removed to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1840, where Mr. Garland entered a tract of land from the government, which he operated successfully and on which he made his home until he was called to the home beyond. He had a family of eight children, seven of whom are living: John B., of this review; William H., residing in Scranton, Iowa; Charles E., of Greene county; Ebenezer E., living in Chicago, Illinois; Thomas L., of Adair county, Iowa; Mrs. Amelia Sweaney, of Preston, Iowa; and Mrs. Leora Baldwin, a resident of North Dakota.

John B. Garland was but an infant when his parents removed to Jackson county, Iowa, and it was in that county that he was reared and educated. He also taught school in Jackson and Greene counties in early manhood. In 1869, he moved to Greene county and purchased eighty acres of the place on which he now resides, though at that time the land was wild and uncultivated. He added to his original purchase until at one time he was the owner of five hundred and twenty acres, though at present his farm comprises two hundred acres, having given the remainder to his sons. In 1887, owing to his election as county treasurer, Mr. Garland left the farm and resided in Jefferson during his term. He afterward removed to Scranton and engaged in the hardware business for one year, and with two others was instrumental in the organization of the Bank of Scranton, serving as president and cashier of this institution a part of the time for six years. At the end of that time, he sold his interest and returned to his farm, on which he has lived ever since.

On March 31, 1860, John B. Garland was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hawkins, a native of Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, where she was born September 8, 1837, a daughter of John B. and Hettie (Smith) Hawkins. Her parents were early settlers of Jackson county, Iowa, passing away in that county. They were the parents of nine children, only one of whom survives, namely: Mrs. Emaline Fry, a resident of Scranton, Iowa. Mrs. Garland passed away on October 4, 1900, her death being mourned by an extensive circle of friends as well as her immediate family, for she had always displayed sterling and lovable traits of character. Mr. and Mrs. Garland were the parents of two sons: William H., who was born August 13, 1861, and passed away August 31, 1904, being at that time the incumbent in the position of county treasurer; and Elmer M., who was born November 25, 1864, and married Lura Linn, by whom he has two children, Orel and John A. Elmer M. Garland lives with his father and operates the home farm.

John B. Garland is a republican in his political views and that he is prominent in local political affairs is indicated by the fact that for seventeen years he served as township assessor, and, in fact, has held every township office. Religiously he gives his support to the Christian church. In 1906 he completed what is the finest country residence in Greene county, it having been planned and built by Mr. Garland and bring equipped with all modern conveniences, including a gas plant. His farm is also a model worthy of imitation, being highly cultivated and improved, and bearing evidence of the fact that he is one of the representative agriculturists and enterprising citizens of his adopted county. Anything which tends to promote the welfare of the community receives his hearty endorsement, and he receives admiration and respect from everyone with whom he comes in contact.

Pg 504-505, Stillman, E. B., Past and present of Greene County, Iowa. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1907.