U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Garner, Waitman T. Willey (1869-1913) --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 760-761, WAITMAN T. WILLEY GARNER. It was not an unusual thing, in those days of pioneer times, for William M. Garner to walk to Terra Alta when in pursuit of some object of work, worthy of that effort. Likewise, his sons are all noted for their perseverance as well as their honesty. Waitman T. Willey Garner, bent on securing an education, obtained it when opportunity presented itself. He then obtained a government position, which he has now filled creditably to himself, as well as profitably, for several years. He was born on the Dille farm, near Pleasant Dale, February 20, 1869. He attended school at Pleasant Dale first, then took a course of training in the Kingwood Summer School, under the well known and efficient instructor, Professor Rufus Holden. His work of two terms here was supplemented by a three-term course at the Fairmont Normal School, under Professor J. Walter Barnes. After which he taught school, in all eight winters — six of them in Preston county and two of them in Marion county. On February 10, 1901, having passed the examinations requisite for the work, Mr. Garner became employed by the government as mail weigher between Wheeling and Baltimore on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. After filling this (position forty-nine days, he was promoted to mailing clerk on the road from Fairmont to Richwood, a position which he has held now without intermission for ten years. The distance between the two points is 155 miles, and he is graded No. 3, the highest given his class in the mailing service. As districting agent, Mr. Garner attends to all mails for West Virginia, and for twelve counties in Pennsylvania besides. December 4, 1898, Mr. Garner was married to Miss Isabel Ridenour, daughter of Martin and Maria Reed Ridenour, old pioneers of Preston county. Three children have come of this union, namely: Fay Blondell, born January 27, 1903; Ila Belle, born July 11, 1907, died ____; Ruth Hester, born May 3, 1908. In 1901, Mr. Garner bought a lot a No. 827 Coleman Avenue, where he erected his present residence, a two-story house with a slate roof, now a very valuable property. Mr. Garner was a strong Prohibitionist and a member of the M. E. Church, but belonged to no other organizations. He died May 29, 1913. --------------------------------------------------------------------- From Register of Deaths, Marion County, WV (Page 64) FULL-NAME: Waitman T. W. Garner BIRTH-DATE: BIRTH-PLACE: DEATH-DATE: May 29, 1913 DEATH-PLACE: Fairmont MARITAL-STATUS: Married OCCUPATION: Mail Clerk FATHER: MOTHER: CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Typhoid Fever INFORMANT: BURIAL: --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------