My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM L. GARRATT, M. D. It gives us great pleasure to make mention of this worthy gentleman, as he is not only a prominent physician, but a good citizen of Watervliet, Berrien County. Dr. Garratt was born in Wayne County, N. Y., August 22, 1840, and is the son of Mott and Nancy (French) Garratt. Isaac Garratt, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in the Colonial days. His father came from Ireland and settled in Dutchess County in an early day, and there reared eight sons and two daughters, five of whom lived to be over ninety years old, and all were of the Quaker religion. Prior to the War of 1812, Isaac Garratt moved to Prince Edward County, Canada, and settled near Picton, where he spent the rest of his days, and died about 1845, at the great age of ninety years. His wife was a Miss Carman in her maiden days, and proved herself a faithful companion and loving mother.

The father of our subject was born in the month of September, 1787, in Dutchess County, N. Y. In his youth he was pressed into service in the War of 1812, fighting bravely in the British ranks, but as soon as he came from the war he went to Wayne County, N. Y., where he settled on a farm and immediately began to improve it. In addition to this land he purchased more, and in time was the owner of two or three good farms. In politics, he was formerly a Whig, and in the latter years of his life became a stanch supporter of the Republican party. Our subject’s father was married three times — first to a Miss Carman, who bore him thirteen children, nine of whom reached their majority. The mother of these children died in the State of New York about the year 1834, and some time after Mr. Garratt married Nancy Strong, a widow with three sons, Lyman, Lucius and Cephas. By her second marriage, Mrs. Strong became the mother of five children, all of whom are still living but one. They are: Rebecca, George W., Naomi (now Mrs. Pierce), and William L., and all make their home in Watervliet. The mother of the above-named children died in Wayne County, N. Y., February 22, 1852. She was a native of Massachusetts, her birthplace being in the town of Amherst. She was born in 1800, and was the daughter of French parents, who were among the early pioneers of Massachusetts.

Our subject remained on the farm with his parents until he was fifteen years old, in the mean time getting all the education that he could. On reaching his fifteenth year, William started in life for himself and soon found employment in a printing office, beginning with Pomeroy Tucker, in Palmyra, N. Y., on the Wayne Democratic Press.

Eight years after, Mr. Garratt began the study of medicine, but had barely started when the Civil War broke out, and he enlisted January 1, 1864, in Company H, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery. He was immediately transferred to the hospital service in Washington and vicinity, and in 1865 was discharged as a hospital steward. After the horrors of war were over, the Doctor attended lectures at the Buffalo Medical College in the winters of 1866-67, and at the close of that period went to Lyons, Ohio, where he formed a partnership with Dr. L. D. Hill. There he successfully practiced for fifteen years, and in the spring of 1880 located in Watervliet, where he has since continued practice, with the exception of two years’ time which he spent in Ohio.

Dr. Garratt has taken a great interest in the upbuilding of the town of Watervliet, and in company with a Mr. Pierce erected the first evaporation system in the village in 1887. Politically, our subject is a warm-hearted Republican and always uses his influence in that direction. He attends all the conventions and is also a prominent member of the Knights of Honor and other societies.

October 6, 1868, our subject was married to Miss Adelia Parker, a native of West Unity, Ohio, and a daughter of Dr. J. C. and Maria (White) Parker. Dr. Parker was born in New York and moved to Davenport, Iowa, in 1852. When the war broke out he formed a company, over which he assumed command, but resigned before reaching the field, and died soon after. His widow still survives, and is now the wife of Mr. Port. She has had four children, two sons and two daughters.

Mrs. Garratt’s paternal grandfather, Jerred C. Parker, was a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., and an early pioneer of Ohio. Her maternal grandfather, William P. White, was born in the same county and was a captain in the militia during the late war. He was a merchant and saddle-maker in early life and subsequently followed the occupation of a farmer. He was twice married, first to Mary Pixley, who bore him one child, Maria; and later to Polly Higbee, who became the mother of two sons, Whitfield and Isaac.

Our subject and his wife are the parents of three children: Van C., Edna L. and Lavern. They were both active members of the Baptist Church in Davenport, Iowa, and since their removal to Michigan have been members of the Congregational Church in this village. They are both good workers in all societies connected with church work and aid both financially and spiritually in the upbuilding of the cause. Dr. Garratt is widely and favorably known, and his sterling worth and strict integrity have won him the confidence and the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.