The Early 20th Century

As noted above, Charles Robert is listed as Robert C. and his occupation is noted to be a day laborer.  His two sons are listed as being ‘at school’.  The census also notes that Charles and Catherine had been married for 33 years at the time of the census.

The following three photos were likely taken on the same day, possibly the 4th of July, given their state of dress and the flag in the picture.

On back of photo, Floye Beard Garrett wrote, “Grandpa Garrett said he never took naps in the daytime.  His daughter Laura Iiams took this picture to prove he did.”

Wesley apparently had lost an eye in a mining accident and that might explain his looking to his right in the above photograph rather than looking at the camera.

Charles’ occupation is listed as ‘own income’, which I believe indicates that he did not have a job but was living off his own resources, i.e., retired.  Charley is listed as a farmer and Harley a day laborer.

Charles Robert died 15 January 1911 in Macksburg, Iowa, and was buried in Moon Cemetery just outside of town.  His cause of death was listed as tuberculosis.

The following news items were taken from the Winterset Madisonian, Macksburg section, and suggest an acute illness, though, as noted above, it is thought that he died from tuberculosis.

1/12/1911--Harley Garrett was brought home from Des Moines last week, seriously ill with tonsillitis,     and is still in a critical condition.

1/19/1911--Harley Garrett, who has been very sick at the home of his parents, is able to be around again.

1/19/1911--Grandpa Garrett, who has been sick for the past few days, died on Sunday morning.  The funeral was held Tuesday.

1/25/1911--Mrs. Garrett has been very sick for the past two weeks.

Obituary—Charles R. Garrett, undated, probably from the Winterset Madisonian newspaper

Charles R. Garrett of Macksburg passed away Sunday January 15, 1911.  Brother Garrett was born in Galena, Ill., November 5, 1911 (sic), came to Iowa in 1856, where he has since made his home.  He served in the civil war for some length of time and after returning home was married to Miss Catherine McGuire in 1867.  To this union were born eight children.

The funeral was held at the Baptist Church, of which he was a faithful member, conducted by the M. E. Pastor of Lorimor who was a former acquaintance and friend.  A large gathering of friends and neighbors were present to pay their last tribute of respect and love.  The W. R. C. (Woman’s Relief Corps, see Appendix 4) and the G. A. R. (Grand Army of the Republic, see Appendix 5) were present, the latter reading their impressive burial service at the close of the sermon.

Brother Garrett was a faithful companion and loving father, a trusted and honored neighbor and will be greatly missed.  He had been a patient sufferer for some years, but was trusting and hopeful to the last.  Mustered out from the ranks below to be mustered into the ranks above.  Our loss is his eternal gain.  He leaves a wife, five children, two brothers, two sisters and many friends to mourn his loss.  The sympathy of the entire community is extended to the bereaved ones.

Less than a month after his father died, Charlie Frank married Verlie Mae Bonham on 12 February 1911 in Macksburg, Iowa.  Verlie was the daughter of Samuel Evans and Mary Elizabeth McKenzie Bonham.  Son Floyd Russell died on the day of his birth.  Their only other child was Geraldine Elizabeth.  Charlie died on 25 April 1954 in Macksburg, Iowa.

Harley Umberfield was the last of their children to be born and the last to marry.  He married Lorena Floye Beard on 26 April 1912 in Winterset, Iowa.  Floye's parents were Jabez Eliot and Mary Eunice Jessup Beard.  Harley and Floye's children were Kenneth Lester, Doyle Emerson, and Doris Nadine.  Harley died on 2 April 1957 in Des Moines, Iowa, following a heart attack.  As life would have it, Harley was the last of the seven siblings to pass away.

Catherine McGuire Garrett died 16 May 1916 in Macksburg, Iowa, and was buried in Moon Cemetery next to her husband.  Her cause of death was listed as "dislocated hip caused by a fall."

Obituary—Catherine McGuire Garrett, undated, probably from the Winterset Madisonian newspaper:

Catherine McGuire was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, June 30, 1846.  She departed this life May 16, 1918, aged 71 years, 20 months, 16 days.  When 13 years of age, her parents moved on a farm near Prairie Grove, Clarke Co., Iowa.  She was united in marriage to Charles R. Garrett, March 17, 1867.  She then settled on a farm near Prairie Grove, Iowa.

To this union was born eight children, five girls and three boys.  Three of these children have preceded her to the Beyond; her husband also has preceded her on January 15th, 1911.

With her husband and family she moved to Macksburg, Iowa, November 24, 1893, where she remained until the time of her death.

In early life she gave her heart to God and has lived a faithful christian (sic) life to the end.

She leaves to mourn her loss one sister, five children and a host of friends.  The children are Mrs. Lena Iiams, of Macksburg, Iowa; Wesley G. Garrett, Oskaloosa, Ia.; Mrs. Flora Barker, Winterset, Ia.; Chas. Garrett, Lorimor, Iowa; Harley U. Garrett, St. Charles, Ia.

Many more things might be said of this one who has passed away but the best of all are the memmories (sic) of a true mother and friend.  Heaven will be sweeter to us for her having passed beynd (sic).

There is a world above
Where parting is unknown;
A whole eternity of love
Formd (sic) for the good alone;
And faith beholds the dying here
Transplanted to that happy sphere.

Interment was made in Moon cemetery.  The services were conducted by Rv. J. V. Wright, Pastor of the Baptist church.

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