Biography - Charles Garrison
CHARLES WESLEY GARRISON is a prominent stockman and at present the Supervisor of Shoal Creek Township, Bond County, and resides one and a-half miles east of Sorento. Mr. Garrison was born in Walshville Township, Montgomery County, this State, September 14, 1853. He was next to the youngest of a family of ten children born to Taylor and Susan (Clark) Garrison. But little can be learned of the antecedents of either of these families more than the fact that both of the parents of our subject were natives of the State of Tennessee and pioneers in the settlement of Montgomery County, locating on the farm where C. W. was born and where his father died in 1873.
Our subject's mother lived until August, 1891, when she died in Sorento at an advanced age. Of the eleven children there are but four living: Charles Wesley, who is the subject of this sketch; James A., who lives in Montgomery County on a farm not far from the old homestead, and is a prominent stock-raiser; Nancy M., the wife of W. J. Kirkland, residing on a large farm not far from Sorento; and Mary J., the wife of Samuel McRenken, of Sorento.
Our subject was reared on his father's farm and received a fair education. His occupation has always been that of a farmer and stock-dealer. In 1881, he removed to his present place of residence, which is a little east of Sorento, and where he is quite extensively engaged in raising and buying and shipping stock.
Mr. Garrison has been a prominent factor in bringing about township organization in Bond County, and at the first election was honored with the office of County Supervisor of his township, and re-elected by an increased majority on the Democratic ticket. As the township is strongly Republican, the fact of his re-election speaks volumes for his popularity with both parties. He conies from an old Democratic family, and has faithfully adhered to the political creed of his forefathers.
While living in Montgomery County, oar subject served on the School Board from the time he was twenty-one years of age until he left there. He was a member of the Board of Supervisors and was for several years Constable. Fraternally, he is a prominent and active Mason, also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Mr. Garrison was married, August 14, 1873, to Melissa F. Brite, a daughter of R. E. Brite, a prominent farmer of Missouri. Mrs. Garrison was born in the State of Missouri. Their four children are Susan Lucinda, a young lady who has had every advantage given her in an educational way; Louaua Alice, Nancy Melissa and Charles Wesley.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 223-224.
