|
|
Genealogical Record Of The Garman Family
George & Alma (Brantner) Garman
Michael Garman I who is the first in this line
of whom we have any record, was a sargent in
the Revolutionary War. He was taken prisoner by the
British and confined on one of the prison ships in
the harbor of New York, where he was held until
the close of the war.
Michael Garman II came to Illinois in 1842 bringing about 12
of his relatives. They made the journey in covered
wagons and were compelled to live in their wagons until
they could cut lumber to build log cabins. They
settled in West Grove, Ogle County and the first school
house in West Grove was built on Michael's land and
church services were held in the school house until a
church could be built. He donated stone from a
quarry on his farm to build a church and assisted
in laying most of the stone. He donated $100
toward the church (quite a sum in those days).
I visited the church and adjoining cemetery in 1945 and
the church was still in a splendid state of preservation.
Many of the early Garmans are buried in this cemetery.
In 1844, Jacob, brother of Michael II, influenced by the
encourageing letters received from relatives who had migrated in 1842,
decided also to venture moving to the new land.
So with a daughter, Sarah, and five sons, John, Harry,
Levi, Isaac, and Daniel, and his brother Marty, they left
Pennsylvania in April 1844 on their adventurous journey, four covered
wagons comprising the caravan. The two older brothers, John
and Harry, each had small children. They encountered many
difficulties during their journey, but kept determindly on.
When they arrived at Chicago, then a muddy desolate, unpromising
little burg, Harry was urged to remain there when residents
learned he was a cobbler, and was offered a large
parcel of land with a good building in which to
follow his trade if he would stay there. But
the land around Chicago did not appeal to him and
he refused the offer. In fact, by this time
he was becoming discouraged and wished to turn back, but
his wife insisted on continuing since they were so near
the end of their adventure. His uncle had written
"do not allow anyone or anything to stop you until
you reach West Grove in Ogle Co.". So they
traveled on, reaching the home of Michael Garman II,
Jacob's brother, on June 1. They all took up land
and settled in what was later Lincoln and Brookville Townships.
Many hardships were endured by all the families during those
first years, clearing the land for farming and making lumber
to build their homes. Crops were often hauled to
Chicago to secure a good market, which was a long
and difficult journey over the roads of that day.
But by hard labor, thriftiness, and perseverance, they all prospered
and acquired more land, all becoming landowners. Also, they
all raised large families, who in turn became good substantial
and progressive inhabitants and aided materially in the advancement and
upbuilding of this locality settled by their ancestors.
This is a portion of a letter sent to Olive Garman
Stonebraker by Fama V. Bohner Allen. The last time
I was down to West Grove Church and Cemetery was
in 1984 and while the church was still standing and
in resonable shape, services were not being held there anymore.
The early Garman and Brantner tombstones were in good shape
and were a tremendous amount of help to me in
my research, along with the help of my mother, Margaret
Garman Williams and Laverne 'Bun' Brantner. The picture on
this page is my great granparents, George Henry Garman and
Alma Phillips Brantner. George is the son of
Harry and Luzette Daniels Garman Alma is the daughter of
Michael John Brantner and Maryann Catherine Phillips. Another
prominent Ogle County Settler.
If you would like to know more about this family,
or have any information you would like to contribute,
please email me.
Jamey1334@aol.com
To view Brantner Genealogy
To View Rick&Carol(Gustafson)Divan, Harold&Margaret(Garman)
Gustafson, Irv&Jenny(Signell)Garman &
Grandpa Jack Frost
|