Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 236 - 239

JAMES THOMAS GARNETT, one of the youngest farmers of Grand River Township, is eminently worthy of representation in this work, having developed in his character the principles essential to those who would arrive at a good position, socially and financially, among their fellowmen. He came to this county with his father about 1880, when the parental household included eight children. His father purchased three-quarters of a section of land in Grand River Township, but was called from earth before he had succeeded in paying for the property.

      Our subject, the eldest child of the parental family, was but twenty-one years old when the father died, but he encouraged the younger ones to assist in paying off the mortgage, and they all put their shoulders to the wheel with most excellent results, keeping together and making good headway toward releasing the land from incumbrance. Too much credit cannot be given to our subject, nor to his brothers and sisters, who have so essentially aided him in his labors. They now carry on general farming and stock-raising, and have effected the improvements which enable them to labor advantageously. Stock-raising, as well as grain, enters largely into their operations.

     The subject of this sketch was born in Graves County, Ky., April 7, 1862, and is the son of Western and Caledonia (Golloda) Garnett, also natives of the Blue Grass State, and both born in Trigg County, the father June 25, 1834, and the mother Dec. 12, 1843. The death of Western Garnett took place at his home in Garden Plain Township, this county, Sept. 2, 1883, and that of the mother twenty days later, on the 23d of that month. Their lives and fortunes were united on the 4th of June, 1861, in their native State of Kentucky, where they lived until their removal to Kansas.

      Seven children of the parental household are still living, and form an affectionate family, making their home together on the farm. The six besides our subject were born as follows: Robert P., May 1, 1866, and was married, Jan. 18, 1888, to Miss Eva Brown, of Garden Plain Township; John B. was born Jan. 10, 1870; Pearl, Sept. 7, 1872; Tulula, July 10, 1876; Phylander, Nov. 28, 1878; Ernest Western, Oct. 2, 1881, in this county. The third son, William S., who was born in Kentucky, March 28, 1867, died there on the 5th of January, 1875.

      Mr. Garnett was married, Sept. 23, 1886, to Miss Nola, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Jones) Robinson, a sketch of whom is given on another page in this Album. Mrs. G. was born Aug. 18, 1869, in Illinois, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of one child, a daughter, Daisy, born June 22, 1887. Mr. G., politically, votes the straight Democratic ticket, but has too much business on his hands to allow him to become an office-seeker. He and his young wife are very popular in their neighborhood, where they number many warm friends.

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