John W. Garabrant

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

John W. GARABRANT has during practically his entire lifetime thus far been a prominent and influential resident of Mendham, and his activity in business affairs, his co-operation in public interests and his zealous support of all objects that he believes will contribute to the material, social or moral improvement of the community keep him in the foremost rank of those to whom this borough owes its development. He has filled with efficiency a number of local offices and since the spring of 1908 has been postmaster of Mendham, his present term expiring in 1914.

The year 1866 marks the birth of John W. GARABRANT and he is a native son of Mendham. His parents, John Newell and Helen (DAY) GARABRANT, were born and reared in Morris county, New Jersey, and the father was a son of John GARABRANT, who came to America from Germany and settled on a farm in the vicinity of Mendham. Newell GARABRANT passed his boyhood and youth on the old parental homestead and after reaching years of maturity followed in the footsteps of his father and himself became a farmer. He owned a well improved estate of 100 acres in Mendham township prior to his demise, and held prestige as one of the foremost agriculturists of this section. His wife is also deceased and they are both buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Mendham. To them were born eight children:

Eugene M.;
Everett L.;
Eliza, wife of Oscar PRUDEN;
Jennie, wife of Charles FREEMAN;
Florence;
Cornelia D., wife of Frederick R. GUERIN;
Margaret; and
John W., whose name inaugurates this review.

John W. GARABRANT was a pupil in the public schools of Mendham until his fourteenth year and he then entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the trade of carpenter, following work of that nature until 1890. In that year he purchased a butcher shop in Mendham and conducted the same with moderate success until 1901, when he engaged in the ice business and likewise ran a stage to Morristown. He has continued as local ice dealer down to the present time and in that connection controls a large and lucrative patronage. He is the owner of a beautiful residence in Mendham and is likewise interested in other real estate in this section. He is a Republican in national politics but in local affairs votes for the man and not the ticket. He was borough collector for six years, was one year clerk of school board and was custodian and treasurer of the borough for six years. In the spring of 1908 he was appointed postmaster of Mendham for a period of six years, his term of office expiring in 1914. This is a third-class office, having been made so in 1910 when he was appointed for four years. Mr. GARABRANT is affiliated with the J. O. U. A. M., and he and his family are zealous members of the Presbyterian church, in which he was a member of the board of trustees for many years. He is a man of sincere character and is loyal and public-spirited in all that affects the good of the general welfare of his home community.

In April, 1893, Mr. GARABRANT married Minnie S. LINDSLEY, whose birth occurred in Mendham, daughter of John D. and Sarah (MILLEN) LINDSLEY, the latter of whom died in 1903. Mr. LINDSLEY has long been interested in the nursery business in this borough, and with hired help continues to conduct a well equipped nursery here, although he himself is now practically retired. There are four children in the LINDSLEY family and following are their names in respective order of birth:

Minnie S., wife of Mr. GARABRANT, of this notice;
Caleb A.;
John M.;
Anna, wife of Harvey AMMERMAN.

Mr. and Mrs. GARABRANT became the parents of five children:

Floyd H.,
Ethel,
Roderick,
Roland, twin of Roderick, deceased;
Lindsley.

All of the foregoing are at home with their parents, the younger ones being pupils in the public schools.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).