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GARMAN, WILLIAM (deceased), was born in Carroll County, Tenn., September 14, 1849, and was a son of James and Ruth Dorothy Garman, both natives of the same county. James C. Garman brought his family to Brown County, Ill., when his son William was a small boy, and located on a farm. William Garman was reared on a farm in Brown County and there received his education. He then engaged with his father in mining operations and in later life acted as manager for several different coal mines.
Mr. Garman was an excellent business man and carried on his business affairs in an able manner, becoming successful in whatever he undertook. He was honest and upright in all his dealings and was universally esteemed. He never cared for public office, though he was a stanch Republican all his life. As a boy he and his mother attended a campaign rally in Springfield and heard Abraham Lincoln speak. While living in Pleasant Plains, Ill., he joined the Christian Church, and also belonged to the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 770, of that city. He was well known in mining circles in central Illinois and was popular among his associates.
Mr. Garman was married in Rushville, Schuyler County, Ill., to Miss Flora Addison, daughter of Matthew and Rhoda (Workman) Addison, who lived on a farm near Beardstown, Ill. Two children were born of this union: Winona Bell, unmarried and living with her mother, Mrs. Nellie Lettarst, wife of Charles Lettarst, who is a mine operator living in Springfield, has one son, Charles born in August 22, 1907. Mr. Garman died December 6, 1905 and is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Mrs. Garman owns her present comfortable home at 149 North Lincoln Avenue, Springfield.
Mrs. Garman's father, Matthew Addison, came to Illinois as a young man, from Pennsylvania, and located on a farm in Schuyler County, where the remainder of his life was spent. He became a prominent man in his community. He died in 1865 and his wife died when Mrs. Garman was only two years of age. Mrs. Garman attends the Christian Church in Springfield.