William Garrett, cashier of the Iowa State Savings Bank [Burlington, IA], was born in Lexington, Ky., on the 18th day of June, 1823. His father, William Garrett, Sr., was born in Essex County, Va., in 1795, and when a young man went to Kentucky, settling in Lexington, where he became acquainted with and married Miss Ann McConathy, who was born in Lexington, in May, 1804. She was a daughter of Jacob McConathy, who built the first steam-mill in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett were the parents of four children, three of whom are living, viz: William, the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, who married James Wright, died in 1858; Mary, the wife of S. E. Taylor, of Beatrice, Neb.; and James H., of Leon, Decater Co., Iowa. The father died in 1830, in Louisville, Ky., to which place he had removed in 1829. Mrs. Garrett, after the death of her husband, removed to Hunter's Bottom, Gallatin Co., Ky., and in 1836 to Flint Hills (now Burlington), landing there on the 11th day of April of that year. The subject of our sketch was at this time about thirteen years of age, and had received the rudiments of an English education in the common schools. His mother had been again united in marriage, in Kentucky, in 1834, her second husband being John Bridges, and when they came to Burlington Mr. Bridges erected the first steam-mill built in the county or State. It was built in 1836, and stood three miles below the town on the river bank. Mr. and Mrs. Bridges had one son, C. Martin, now a resident of Seattle, W. T. The mother died in 1878, after a long and well-spent life. She was a sincere Christian, and a member of the Christian Church for many years.

In 1837 William Garrett, our subject, commenced clerking in the store of Webber & Remey, and remained with them until 1840, making his home first with one partner and then with the other. In 1841-42 he clerked for Leffler & Co., and the following year for Postlewait & Cregan. In March, 1844, he commenced business for himself, and continued in the same trade until 1853. In August of that year he was elected Sheriff of the county, and was re-elected in 1855, holding the office for four years. In 1857 he was the Republican candidate for County Judge, but was defeated by Judge O. C. Wightman, now deceased, the Democrats carrying the county that year. In 1857-58 he was in the employ of W. H. Postlewait, the same man he had clerked for in 1843. In 1859 he formed a partnership with Mr. Postlewait and John W. Rhodes, under the firm name of Garrett, Rhodes & Co., and continued in business until 1862, when the firm was dissolved. Mr. Garrett then acted as Deputy Treasurer until Jan. 1, 1863, for Maj. Remey, then County Treasurer. In the fall of 1862 he was elected Clerk of the District Court, and was re-elected to that office five times, making in all twelve years' service as Clerk. For about forty-four years Mr. Garrett has been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in 1852 was elected Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, which position he held for thirty-five years, and is now Senior Grand Secretary of the order, having been installed for the thirty-seventy time. In 1855 he was elected Grand Scribe of the Grand Encampment of Iowa, and has been re-elected each year since. He was for seven years a representative from the Grand Encampment of Iowa to the Grand Lodge of the United States. Mr. Garrett has always taken an active interest in city affairs, and has represented his ward as Alderman. In 1867 he was elected Secretary of the Aspen Grove Cemetery Association, and is still serving in that capacity. In 1858 he was chosen Secretary of the Hawkeye Pioneer Association. He has also served several years as clerk of the Vestry of Christ Church (Episcopal), in this city, and for the past six years as Senior Warden, and is, and has been for several years, Treasurer of the Diocese of Iowa.

On the 9th of May, 1848, Mr. Garrett was married, in Burlington, to Miss Martha Rorer, a daughter of Judge David Rorer, now deceased. His wife, who was born at Little Rock, Ark., June 4, 1830, on coming here with her parents, arrived in Burlington fifteen days before Mr. Garrett, being among the earliest settlers of Des Moines County. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett are the parents of seven living children, viz: Henry C., cashier of the Merchants' National Bank, married Miss Nellie Tracy, a daughter of Judge Tracy; T. Mauro, real-estate dealer, of the firm of Sayyer & Garrett, of Chicago, married Miss Ada Sawyer, a daughter of Dr. Sidney Sawyer, of Chicago; Rev. David Claiborne, rector of Trinity and Christ Church, of Davenport, Iowa, married Miss Lillie Selmes, of Boston, Mass.; Mary Helen, at home; Jessie L., wife of Edward S. Phelps, a son of Judge Phelps, of this city; Grace D. and Jackson K. are at home.

Mr. Garrett is a man of more than ordinary ability, and in his business relations stands high in the community. He is genial, possesses a kindly disposition, and makes friends wherever he goes. In all the numerous official and responsible positions he has held, he has ever proved himself capable, upright, and in every way trustworthy, and in Burlington no man stands higher in public esteem than does William Garrett. In connection with this sketch is presented a fine portrait of Mr. Garrett, which will be appreciated by every citizen of Des Moines County.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Des Moines County, Iowa. Chicago: Acme Publishing, 1888, pp. 165-166. There is a portrait of William Garrett, Jr., on page 164. Downloaded March 2011 from http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iabiog/desmoines/pba1888/pba1888-...

<><><> - <><><> - <><><> - <><><> - <><><> - <><><> - <><><>

[There is] a new volume called "Fifty Years Ago: Pioneer Recollections of William Garrett."

Amy McLachlan, a member of the Des Moines County Genealogical Society, said the recollections were initially published in Burlington's Daily Gazette between April 10 and June 21, 1886. McLachlan, Phyllis Rothlauf, Kay Weiss and Mary Talbott researched the series of articles in which Garrett looks back 50 years, naming the settlers, discussing where they lived, their business or occupation, their origins, and who left for other states or territories.

In his recollection of life in this community in the 1830s, Garrett covered Burlington and Des Moines County township by township. The names of every person he mentions are indexed at the close of each section.

He also includes marriage information, references to murders, jail breaks, claim jumpers and a disappearance.

In his section on Burlington Township, Garrett tells of the day Black Hawk stopped by the Garrett home for dinner. He also reports that a father and son from Baltimore started a rival town to Burlington called Marshall on land that was later purchased by "the Hon. John Patterson and Judge Mason."

Garrett, who was born in 1823 in Lexington, Ky., came to Burlington at age 13, where his mother's second husband erected the first saw mill in the county. It was located in 1836 three miles below town on the river bank.

After working as a store clerk, Garrett was elected sheriff and later was the Republican candidate for county judge. Still later, he served 12 years as clerk of the district court. He rose to a high position with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Martha Rorer, daughter of Judge David Rorer of Burlington.

The spiral-bound book is available for purchase at $20. It can be ordered from the Society at P.O. Box 493, Burlington, Iowa 52601 or e-mail at dmcgs@dmcgs.org.

Source: Extracted from "Trip down memory lane," a commentary by Bobby Wilson, published online: 1/2/2011 Downloaded March 2011 from http://www.thehawkeye.com/story/Wilson-Column-010211

<><><> - <><><> - <><><> - <><><> - <><><> - <><><> - <><><>

In Burlington, Iowa, is the house, originally built in 1851 by William Garrett, with additions made c.1870, which currently (2011) is operated as "The Phelps House Museum & Gift Shop." This Victorian era house "was occupied by family until 1972" when it was sold to the Des Moines County Historical Society. Street Address: 521 Columbia St., Burlington, IA 52601. Hours: May-Oct: Sat & Sun: 1:30-4:30. Admissions: $2 per person. phone: 319-753-5880. e-mail: dmcohist@interl.net

About this house museum, one reviewer wrote (2008, http://blog.colorsongyarn.com/?p=73), "Once inside, you are transported back to a lost era of Victorian finery, bad plumbing, and beautiful handmade textiles. Next to Phelps House is one of Burlington’s claims to fame: Snake Alley. Snake Alley appeared in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not as 'the world’s most winding street.' No one I’ve talked to knows whether that is a 'believe it' or a 'not,' but it did put Burlington on the map, so to speak. Now, the local art fairs are held along it and, in the years when RAGBRAI (The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) ends in Burlington, the cyclists ride down it in a ritual celebration."

<><><> - <><><> - <><><> - <><><> - <><><> - <><><> - <><><>