GARR, Lewis C.

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Dr. L. C. Garr at Rest.

Once more the angel of death has visited our midst, and relatives and friends are mourning the loss of one of Montgomery county’s pioneers.

Dr. L. C. Garr was born in Jefferson county, Ky., June 16, 1829, and died at his home in Rutland township, Mont­gomery county, Kansas, Oct 1, 1898, at the age of 69 years, 3 months and 15 days.

He spent the early part of his life in Kentucky, entering the Kentucky School of Medicine and Kentucky University while young and graduating at the age of twenty. After graduating he located at Union Village, now Providence, Johnson county, Ind., where he prac­ticed successfully for several years. On Nov. 20, 1851, he married Lavina Kerlin of that place. Ten children were born to them, six of whom are still living: George, Hershell, Lee, Mrs. Carrie Meagher, Mrs. May Reed and Mrs. Ella Roach. Mrs. Garr died March 31, 1869 and the doctor married Mary L. Byers, April 14, 1870.

In Oct 1871, he moved his family to Kansas and located on the farm, where he died. His second wife bore him one son, Clarence, born in 1875.

Mrs. Garr and all of the children, except Mrs. Roach, who did not arrive in time, were at the bedside. He was conscious to the last moment and quietly closed his eyes as if asleep—life had departed. Probably no other man in this part of the country would be so sadly missed. Dr. Garr continued to practice until the very week of his death, aiding the poor and needy with his knowledge and skill in a great many cases without any compensation other than thanks and good will. Many were there who shed tears of heartfelt grief at his departure, remembering his kind services to them in the hour of sick­ness. Scarcely any one for miles around but has had cause to be thankful to him. But alas, he is with us no more, his work is finished, and he has passed over to the great beyond. He was sick for about four weeks with obstruction of the bowels. Drs. Davis and Mas­terman attended him to the end. Although he realized that his case was hopeless, he expressed perfect satis­faction with the treatment and requested the family to give his thanks to the attending physicians.

Services were held at Highland ceme­tery, Oct. 23, conducted by Rev. Bays.

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Link to Lewis C. Garr’s grave

Note: Johnson County, Indiana.; Marriage Records 1851–1875 Valume 2, D. A. R., transcribed by Edna Thompson Bice, records on page 30 that Lewis C Garr married Levina Kerlin on 18 Nov 1851.

Submitted by Mark McCrady, Cathea Curry and Lois Johnson