WPA Interviews for Linn County Oregon

Garrett, James

Interviews Vol. III

(The following data concerning James Garrett's life was secured from a publication, "Illustrated Atlas Map of Marion & Linn Counties."Edgar Williams Co., San Francisco, Cal. 1878.)

JAMES GARRETT.

He was born in Howard County, Missouri, in 1822, on the 22d day of February. His ancestors were Scotch and English. It is supposed they came to America long before the Revolutionary War. His parents were Kentucky people, who emigrated to Missouri prior to the birth of the subject of this sketch. He grew to manhood in the state of Missouri. During his boyhood schools were few and very inefficient, and the demand for labor so constant that he did not receive much school education.

Upon reaching manhood he went to farming for himself and succeeded well. In 1846 he enlisted in the army on the breaking out of war with Mexico, in Company M. Price's regiment. After the war he returned to Missouri and farmed one season.

In 1849 he went to California to the mines; at mining he did well, making some days as high as $200 to the man. While here he accumulated $4,000. He then returned to Missouri and farmed one season, reaping a good harvest. He then fixed ox teams for the trip to Oregon and started on the 29th of April 1852. During the trip many died from the fatal cholera, which broke out in the train. Mr. Garrett lost one child, which was buried on the Platte River. He arrived in the Willamette Valley on the 16th of October of the same year. He then bought the place, which he now owns, but did not live on it the first winter. In the spring he moved onto the farm and began improving it, so that at present it is one of the finest in the precinct.

In 1842 he married Mrs. Sarah Willoughby, who was the daughter of John Willoughby, who came to Missouri at an early day from South Carolina. She died in 1850. Mr. Garrett remained single nearly two years, when he married Miss Frances Welch, daughter of Mr. John Welch, who was originally from North Carolina. He is the father of nine children, four of whom are still living. The oldest child, William, was born in Missouri, in Sheridan County, in October, in 1842; he owns a farm near his father. Mary, born in Missouri in 1844, died in 1844; John was born in 1846 in Missouri; he died in 1852; James Horland, born in 1848, in Missouri, he now resides in Wasco Co., in Eastern Oregon; Mary Ellen, born in 1853, in Oregon, died in 1867; Mary Jane (Probably a mistake. This should be Nancy Jane) born in 1855 in Oregon, she married Mr. Wm. E. Githens and now lives about one mile from Peoria; Matilda M., born in 1857, in Oregon, married D.H. Wagner, and now resides in Salem; Anna Bell, born in 1859, in Oregon, died in 1877; Joseph, born in Oregon in 1860, and died in 1861.

Mr. Garrett's family have grown up to be honored and respected members of the community, and possess the esteem of all who know them. The farm on which Mr. G. resides is about 1 1/2 mile from Peoria, and is under a good state of improvement. In 1868 he built one of the finest farm residences in Linn County; the commodious rooms are finely furnished, and have on their walls some of the best fresco work in the state. On the panels of the wall are paintings representing scenes through which Mr. Garrett has passed, the whole place giving evidence of the good taste and refinement of its owner."

Copyright © 2000 Patricia Dunn. All rights reserved. This transcription may not be reproduced in any media without the express written permission by the author. Permission has been given by the Transcriber to publish on the LGS web site.