JOHN ARTIS GARRETT
Clippings from Scrapbook of Issac Garrett. Wharton Spectator June 9, 1944
JOHN A. GARRETT
HEART ATTACK WAS
FATAL SATURDAY
Another familiar figure will be missed in the daily life of Wharton since the passing last Saturday night of John Artis Garrett, who made Wharton his home since 1886. Mr. Garrett had been in ill health for some time, but he was up and about until a short time before he suffered the heart attack which caused his death. His deep interest in the war news and the false invasion broadcast which was believed to have overtaxed him, and he expired shortly after he was moved to the Rugeley-Blasingame Hospital.
John Artis Garrett was born November 24, 1860, at the home of his grandfather, Major Gibson, in Wachoochee Valley, Alabama. He was the third child of Mary and Henry Garrett. When he was four weeks old, the family returned to their home in Greenwood, Florida where he lived until he was 19 years of age. He then went into business in Marrianne, Florida and lived there five years before he moved to Cleburne, Texas, where he was in business for a short time. In 1886 he moved to Wharton, and this was his home until the time of his death on Saturday.
His father was a native of Georgia and was a captain in the Civil War; was wounded in the battle of Chicamougia, and died five years later, leaving Mrs. Garrett a widow with small children.
In 1892 John A. Garrett was married to Sophia Vehm Finkelstein of Wharton, and the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary December 4, 1942.
Funeral services were held at 4:00 o'clock Monday afternoon at the Wharton Funeral Home and interment was made in the Jewish Cemetery. Rabbi Schwartz conducted the religious rites.
Mr. Garrett is survived by his widow and four children: a daughter, Fannie Mae, and three sons: Aaron and Issac Garrett; both of Wharton, and Leon Garrett, of Victoria; and one grandchild, Patricia Ann Garrett of Wharton. Two sisters survive, and are Mrs. Mary Whaley of Atlanta Georgia and Mrs. Roberta Espy of Gordon, Alabama. Henry Garrett of Wharton is one of the many nieces and nephews who survive.
Pallbearers were Al H. Foote, John R. Moore, Alex Rugeley, Abe Davis, Rust Hawes and Sol Aphard.
Mr. Garrett had been in the nursery business here for the last 30 years and some of the beautiful shrubs which grace the lawns of the community were those he planted. These and other good things he did will live long in the memories of those who knew John A. Garrett.
SERVICES FOR J.A. GARRETT
HELD MONDAY Funeral services were held here Monday Afternoon at four in the chapel of the Wharton Funeral Home for John Artis Garrett, 84, resident of Wharton for 58 years. Rabbi Abraham Schwartz of the Shearith Isreal Congregation read the burial sservice and interment was in the Jewish Cemetery. Pallbearers were Al H. Foote, John R. Moore, Alex Rugeley, Abe Davis, Rust Hawes and Sol Aphard. Mr. Garret passed away on Saturday, June 3rd, at the Rugeley-Balasingame Hospital after a severe heart attack which happened after his usual daily trip to town.
John Artis Garrett was born November 24, 1860, at the home of his grandfather, Major Gibson, in Wachoochee Valley, Alabama. He was the third child of Mary and Henry Garrett. Four weeks later he was taken to his parents home in Greenwood, Florida. His father was Capt. Garrett, veteran of the Civil War who was wounded at Chickamagua and died five years later as a result of the wound. At 19 years John Garrett first established himself in business at Marrinana, Florida, but five years later moved to Cleburne, Texas and in 1886 he came to Wharton where he set up in a mercantile business.
In 1892 he married to Sophia Vehon Finkelstein of this city and to them four children were born: Leon of Victoria, Aaron and Issac of Wharton and Miss Fannie Mae Garrett also of Wharton. Mr Garrett was in the hardware business at the present Outlar Drug Store Corner in 1901 when the great fire which destroyed much of the town also burned out his business. For the past thirty years he has been in the nursery business here. Mr. Garrett loved flowers and grew many lovely ones. His friends thought it poetic justice that he was laid to rest in such a lovely garden of flowers. He was also a great lover of his home and a kindly and affectionate father.
Beside his children he is survived by his wife, Sophie Garrett, one grandchild, Patricia Ann Garrett, two sisters, Mrs. Mary Whaley of Atlanta Georgia and Mrs. Roberta Espy of Gordon, Alabama; many nieces and nephews including Henry Garrett of Wharton.
Out of town persons attending services included Mrs. Tom Brooks, Mrs. L.E. Fraley and Mrs. Frank Wheeler of Houston, Mrs. Will Finkelstein of El Campo and a number of friends from Victoria.
Above obituary from Wharton Spectator June 9, 1944 and placed in the scrapbook of Issac Garrett, donated to the Wharton County Historical Museum. Transcribed by Janet Barrett Hobizal.
