My Genealogy Hound

HUGH S. GARRETT. No better citizens have come to Cass County, Mich., than those who emigrated from the green isle of Erin, and who brought with them as their inheritance the traits of character and life which have ever distinguished the race. Among these, we find in Silver Creek Township Mr. Garrett, who was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1825, and who is a son of James and Sarah (Stewart) Garrett. His grandfather, Joseph Garrett, was born in the same part of Ireland as our subject, and became the owner of an extensive farm. The latter passed his entire life in his native country, was married there, and there reared his family of seven children, as follows: Hugh, John, William, James (father of our subject), Daniel, Mary and Jane. His wife’s maiden name was Eleanor Orr.

All the children mentioned above came to America, except the father of our subject and two sisters. James Garrett was reared to manhood by an uncle, and was early taught the duties of farm life. He also learned milling, and followed that in his native country up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1828. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a worthy citizen. He married Miss Sarah Stewart, and three children were born to them: Jane, deceased, who was the wife of James Ellison; Mary, deceased; and Hugh S., our subject. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Garrett took for her second husband James Kinning, and remained in Ireland until her death.

The original of our sketch was but twenty years of age when his mother died. At an early age he began working for himself, and, as he was reared on a farm, he became thoroughly familiar with all its duties at an early age. In 1848 he came to the United States and located in the Empire State, where he remained two years. He worked out by the month during this time, and then went to Montgomery County, Ohio, where for two years he worked out by the month and rented land. From there he went to Franklin County, Ind., and was married in 1858 to Miss Jane Ellison, a native of Ireland, as were also her parents, Michael and Mary Ellison. Two children have blessed their union: William J., who married Miss Ada Moore; and Michael S., the husband of Miss Edith Bedford.

Mr. Garrett rented land in Indiana until 1859, when he decided that Michigan was a State of great promise, and removed within its borders. With some assistance from his father-in-law, he purchased his present farm, and this he has added to occasionally, until he now has two hundred acres of valuable land, most of which is improved. Born on a farm, he necessarily grew up with a better knowledge of agricultural affairs than one who is not so reared, and, as a consequence, has made a success of his calling. He and his worthy companion are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he supports the principles of the Republican party. His mother was fourth in order of birth of the following children: Hugh, M. D., a surgeon on board a man-of-war in England; Alexander, who became a farmer; Andrew, who was a farmer and came to the United States with his family, where he died; Sarah, our subject’s mother; Margaret; Mary; Jane; and Ann.