My Genealogy Hound

Col. A. E. Garrett, attorney at law of Carthage, was born in 1830, in Overton (now Pickett) County, a son of Stephen and Sarah (Flowers) Garrett. The father was of English-French descent, born in Buckingham County, Va., in 1802. When ten years of age he immigrated with his father, Elijah Garrett, to what is now called Pickett County. He was one of the first white settlers o£ that portion of Tennessee. It was here that Stephen married, and died in 1860. His wife was of Irish-French descent, born in 1806 in Virginia, and died in 1882. The Flowers family is noted for longevity. Mrs. Garrett’s parents lived to the age of eighty-three and ninety-six respectively. Her brother reached the unusual age of one hundred and six, and there are now five sisters living, the eldest one being ninety-four, the youngest seventy-two. Our subject is the only surviving child of his father’s family. He remained on the farm until his majority, assisting his parents, who were in limited circumstances. He had inferior educational advantages, but was eager to gain information. He accumulated as much money as possible, and entered the Poplar Spring Academy in Kentucky, attending several sessions. About this time he also commenced the study of law, under guidance of W. W. Goodpasture. In March, .1852, he married Miss Louisa Greer, who was born in Barren County, Ky. Four children of this union are living: Clarence, Isaac, Belle (wife of Jas. Barkett) and Louisa. After marriage they located on the old home place, taking many of the cares and responsibilities of the farm. After the father’s death the mother made her home with him until she too, was called away. In 1853 our subject was admitted to the bar. He was a stanch Whig previous to the war and a Democrat afterward, yet a strong Union man. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, First Kentucky Cavalry. At the expiration of eighteen months he was authorized to raise a regiment. It was the First Tennessee Mounted Infantry; he was lieutenant-colonel .and commander. For fourteen months he remained in Tennessee. At Grandville, Jackson County, July 1, 1864, one of his men attempted assassination; Col. Garrett was shot through the bowels and right hip, the right limb being paralyzed below the knee. His family had located in Carthage in 1863, and in 1865 he was elected to the Legislature. In 1868 he became a candidate for Congress, his opponent being Wm. Stokes. Col. Garrett was elected by a complimentary and large majority, but Gov. Brownlow ruled that 2,700 votes should not be counted, consequently Mr. Stokes got the seat. In 1870 he became candidate, and our subject received a majority of 6,500. In 1876 the Colonel lost his wife, and the following year he married Mrs. Addie McDonald, nee Hayes, a daughter of Addison Hayes of Nashville, Tenn. Mrs. Garrett’s brother, A. Hayes, Jr., married ex-President Jefferson Davis’ daughter. Mrs. Garrett was born at Holly Springs, Miss. Her first husband was Col. McDonald, who was killed in Memphis during the war. To this union there was one child, Charles, who is head bookkeeper for the Standard Oil Company, Nashville. To Colonel and Mrs. Garrett have been born three children: Addison, Ellison and Addie. Mrs. Garrett is an elegant, accomplished woman, and member of the Episcopal Church. The Colonel belongs to the Missionary Baptist; he is also a Royal Arch Mason. He is a self-made man in the true sense of the word, an able and prominent lawyer, and one of the most worthy and respected citizens of the county.