Person:James Garner (19)

"James Garner, the father of [G. Garner], was a native of North Carolina; came to Illinois in about 1830, and was one of the early settlers of Cass County. He was formerly a minister, but after his arrival in Illinois, followed the occupation of farmer until the time of his death, which occurred in 1861. Elizabeth Robertson, his wife, was a native of Kentucky. She died in 1865, aged about sixty-nine years. She was the mother of nine children, of whom six are still living, and of whom Mr. G. Garner is the oldest now living." {Illinois: History of Cass County, Illinois, ed. William Henry Perrin. O. L. Baskin & Co. Historical Publishers, Chicago, 1882, Cass Co. Illinois Rootsweb Archives, <http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilcass/Perrin/biographies/garner.ws.txt>, 18 Oct 2003}

 "[The father of William S. Garner] Rev. James Garner, was born in North Carolina, October 7, 1792; when very young went to Kentucky, and subsequently to Clark county, Indiana, where he was married and resided till 1830. He was converted when a young man, joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and became identified with the ministry. He was a member of the Indiana Conference, and preached in different places in that State till failing health compelled him to relinquish his labors. It was then that he came to Illinois. He made the journey to this State with a four horse team and wagon, being accompanied by his wife and four children. They cooked and camped on the road, and after their arrival here settled in township 17, range 10, where they lived a year or two. Mr. Garner then entered a tract of Government land in section 2, township 17, range 9, on which he put up a log house, built after the fashion of those days, with rived boards for roof, stick and mud chimney, etc. In this humble abode William S. was born. It was some years before there were any railroads here. The first railroad built in this vicinity was from Springfield to Jacksonville, the rails being of wood, and the cars drawn by horses. After his settlement in Illinois, James R. Garner became a local preacher. He was frequently called upon to marry couples and to preach funerals. Often he would ride a number of miles to perform a marriage ceremony, and receive 50 cents or $1 for his pay. In politics he was a Whig, and afterward a Republican. He was a strong anti-slavery man... In 1855 Mr. Garner divided his land among his children, and moved to section 36, township 18, range 9, where he improved a farm and resided till his death, September 11, 1862. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Robertson. She was born in Clark county, Indiana, October 15, 1795, when that State was a part of the Northwest Territory. These worthy pioneers reared ten children, viz: Mahulda married George Beggs; Greenbury m. Jane Redman; Susan (m.) J. Fox; Amos (m.) Lucy Bingley; Mary J. (m.) Robert Robertson; James R. (m.) Margaret Wilson; John W. (m.)  Lucy Carver, and after her death, Melinda Downing; Sarah A. (m.) Henry Sherrer; and William S. All their sons joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in youth, and became ministers of the same. Greenbury and Amos united with the Illinois Conference, and the other became local preachers." {Biographies, History of Greene & Jersey Counties, Illinois - 1885 ; <http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilmaga/cass/1892bios/garner_wms.html>}
 In the 1850 census for Cass Co., Illinois, James Garner [also indexed as 'Garver'] is 58, farmer from NC; with Elizabeth 55 KY; John 18 IL; Sarah 15 IL; and William 13 IL. They are next door to the Crews household.
 In the 1860 census for Lancaster, Cass Co., Illinois, William Garner [indexed as Garmes or Garmer] is 22 from Illinois, with Nancy J. 22 and Anson A. 1 male -- all born Illinois. Next door is his father James Garner 67 from South Carolina, and Elizabeth 65 from Kentucky. On the other side is his brother John W. 28 famer; with (Malinda?) A. (20?); William 7; and Caroline (1 month?). Next to him is their brother James (30?) with Margaret 26; Mary C. 9; Sarah 7; Charles 5; and Henry Beggs 14 -- all born Illinois. {p. 113}