Biography - John E. Garman
JOHN E. GARMAN has devoted himself to farming the past few years, and
the appearance of his fine, well improved prairie farm on section 26, Penn
Township, Shelby County, gives evidence that he has a clear understanding of
the most practical methods of conducting agriculture to a successful issue.
He is a Pennsvlvanian by birth, born in the town of Jacksonville, Center
County, March 25, 1853. His father, George Garman was also a native of
Pennsylvania, and he in turn was a son of John Garman, who was born near
Hanover, Germany. He came to this country after he had attained manhood, and
was quite an early settler of Jefferson County, Pa. He was a distiller by
trade, and followed that occupation in connection with farming, spending his
last years in the State of his adoption.
George Garman served a seven years' apprenticeship to learn the trade of a
wheelwright, carpenter and millwright. In 1856 he came to Illinois and
located in Stephenson County. Renting land near Freeport, he was engaged in
farming there until death closed his busy career in December, 1863. The
maiden name of his wife was Mary S. Neil. She was born in Centre County,
Pa., a daughter of John and Elizabeth Neil, natives of Scotland. She now
resides with her son, James L., in Pickaway Township. She was left a widow
with four children to care for, and she nobly shouldered her burden. She
resided in Stephenson County until 1865, and then coming to this county,
bought forty acres of wild prairie land in what is now Pickaway Township.
She at once erected a small frame house, and by hard toil and much
self-sacrifice kept her family together, with the assistance of her sons,
who improved the land, and she still owns the home that is the fruit of her
unwearied labors. The following is recorded of her four children: Isabelle
married John Black and lives in Milan Township, Macon County; John E. is our
subject; James lives in Pickaway Township; William died in 1878.
He of whom we write was three years old when the family came to Illinois,
therefore the most of his associations are connected with his life in this
State. Like other farmers' boys, as soon as he was large enough to be of any
use he was set to work on the farm, and was a great help to his mother after
his father's death, remaining with her until his marriage. At the age of
seventeen years he began to learn the trade of a carpenter, and at the age
of nineteen engaged as a builder on his own account. He continued in that
line until December, 1884, when he turned his attention to the calling to
which he had been reared, and at that time bought the farm in Penn Township,
upon which he has ever since resided. He is carrying on his farming
operations advantageously and profitably, and has increased the value of his
farm since it came into his possession by judicious cultivation, and by many
substantial improvements.
Mr. Garman has been twice married. In December, 1884, he was wedded to Miss
Winnie T. Tolly, a native of Pickaway Township, and a daughter of Samuel and
Jane (Sims) Tolly. She died in August, 1886, leaving one child, Emma May.
Our subject's second marriage took place in April, 1889, and Miss Sarah
Frances Foster became his wife. She is a native of Todd's Point Township,
and a daughter of Joseph and Mary Foster. She is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and her name is associated with the good work carried on
by her pastor and fellow-members. Her union to our subject has been blessed
to them by the birth of two children, Mary Alice, and Grace Edna.
Mr. Garman is a manly, straightforward man, of sound principle and good
habits, and in him the citizenship of this township has a valuable
acquisition. His politics are of the Republican order, and he stands firmly
by his party whatever betides.
Extracted 17 Dec 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 579-580.
