My Genealogy Hound

L. C. GARVER, dealer in groceries and provisions, Ansonia; born in Washington Co., Md., Oct. 21, 1842; in 1848, he came to Columbus, Ohio, and in 1851 to Montgomery Co.; in August, 1852, came to Darke Co. and located in Richland Township; here his father, Isaac Garver, met his death by an accident at a barn raising, one of the timbers falling upon him late in the day, causing his death, after a few hours’ suffering, upon May 3, 1854. The subject of our sketch was then thrown upon his own resources, and labored at such employment as he could obtain until Sept. 7, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Co. K, 34th O. V. I. (1st Ohio Zouaves), for three years; he was in many severe battles, among which we mention the battle of Winchester, both battles of Fayetteville, Raleigh and Charlestown, Va., the whole campaign of the Shenandoah Valley, Martinsburg and the Lynchburg raid, and many others; he was one of the 1,200 who were detailed to make a raid to destroy the V. & T. R. R.; they made the trip of upward of 400 miles in six days, traveling over mountains and valleys, through a dangerous country, traveling by day and night; they encountered many dangers; at one time found themselves in the rebel camp; often, while riding at night, some of the poor soldiers, with their horses, were thrown over precipices; they arrived at Wytheville on Saturday, July 18, 1863, and immediately attacked the town, which was garrisoned by a force of rebels, lodged in the buildings, equally as large as the Union force; after severe fighting, in which the Union forces lost heavily in killed and wounded, the place was captured; in this engagement Mr. Garver was severely wounded; being the chief target for many rebels, he received eight bullets upon his person at one volley; he managed to crawl to some secluded place, was taken prisoner and remained in rebel prisons until March 24, 1864, when he was paroled, having served in rebel prisons eight months, suffering all the cruel treatment and starvation extended to our Union soldiers; after receiving his parole, he lay in the Hospital until the September following, when, his term of enlistment having expired, he returned home, and the following spring engaged in farming, continuing the same until 1874, when, on account of failing health from the cruel treatment received while in rebel prisons, and suffering from his wounds, he abandoned farming, came to Ansonia, and engaged in the above business, which he has since successfully followed. In politics, he is a strong Republican, and always votes as he fought. Upon the 23d of May, 1865, he was united in marriage with Charlotte Warvel; she was born in Darke Co. Dec. 13, 1847; they have four children by this union— John H. W., born June 13, 1866; Cordelia M., April 10, 1869; Leonard M. and Lizzie M. (twins), Nov. 8, 1873. The business card of Mr. Garver will be found in the directory of Ansonia, in another part of this work.