Garrettj
Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history
of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western
Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
JOHN C. GARRETT is one of the
industrious and prosperous farmers of the Methow valley, and resides seven
miles west from Twisp. He was born in Hickman county, Tennessee,
on November 10, 1839, the son of James B. and Charity (Kimmons) Garrett,
natives of Tennessee. They both died in Arkansas. Our subject
remained in Tennessee until eighteen, getting his educational training
there, and gaining vigor by the excellent exercise of an agricultural life.
At the age last mentioned he went to Washington county, Arkansas, and thence
in 1879, to Modoc county, California, where he farmed until 1882.
Then Mr. Garrett came to Harney pounty, Oregon, and there raised cattle,
horses and mules until 1900. In that year he came to the Methow valley
and bought his present place, which he is improving in a very fine manner.
He is still handling horses and mules and is skilled in these lines.
Mr. Garrett has an estate of one half section and is making it a fine farm.
He formerly was in the merchandise business in Arkansas, but takes more
pleasure in stock raising.
On June 1, 1861, Mr. Garrett enlisted in Company
I, Third Arkansas Infantry, in the confederate army, and fought in the
battles of Wilson Creek, Elk Horn and Corinth, besides many others.
In 1863 he was transferred to the cavalry, under General J. M. Fagan, where
he served until June 5, 1865, when he surrendered with his regiment at
Jacksonport, Arkansas. After the first year in the infantry Mr. Garrett
was lieutenant, and in the cavalry he was captain of his company, which
was called the Paw Paw Rangers. After the war Mr. Garrett took up
Democratic politics and has adhered to that line since that time.
He was chairman of the first Democratic central committee of Harney county
and has held various responsible offices in the places where he has resided.
In 1902 Mr. Garrett ran for the legislature against Dr. J. I. Pogue
and was defeated by only forty-two votes. Dr. Pogue was one of the
earliest pioneers of the county and our subject had been here but a short
time. This shows the popularity he has acquired in this short time.
In 1895, while in Washington county, Arkansas,
Mr. Garrett married Miss Nancy E., daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Sharp)
Dodson, natives of Tennessee. The father was a prominent Baptist
preacher for fifty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Garrett the following named
children have been born: Edna, wife of Simon Lewis, of Burns, Oregon;
Julia, wife of Judge T. J. Shields, of Harney county, Oregon; Emma, wife
of R. J. Williams, county commissioner of Harney county; Lizzie, wife of
P. M. Cheney, of Harney county; Stella, wife of R. N. Miller, of Twisp;
Arlu, wife of A. G. Vanderpool, in Harney county; R. C., married to Lora
Rader, and living in Twisp; Joseph T., single and operating a harness and
saddle shop in Burns, Oregon; and two others, who died in infancy, one
son and one daughter.