Son of Jacob & Magdelena (Wolf) Garwick. Husband of Sarah Zook. Parents of Abraham, Lena, William, George, Anna, Sarah, Elizabeth, Dorothy, and Katie.

Obit from IL Genealogy Trails website:

JACOB GARWICK, a farmer, residing in Clyde Township, Whiteside County, died Sunday forenoon, October 31, 1897, at 10 o'clock, after a protracted attack of nervous prostration.

Mr. Garwick was born in the province of Alsace, France, December 13, 1834. The subject of this sketch was educated in the land of his nativity, and for a time was a teacher in one of the schools. He was the oldest of his parents' children, and therefore in 1852, then being but 18 years of age, he took upon himself the responsibility of coming to this country to find a new home for himself and parents. He spent three months on board the ship on his way to America, not knowing a soul on the vessel. The entire period on sea was one of storm and peril; food was exhausted and distress signals were blown three successive days before their condition was discovered. They anchored near an island belonging to Portugal, in the South Sea, and secured supplies sufficient to enable them to proceed on their voyage.

He located in Butler County, Pennsylvania, where he began preparing a home for his parents, who came to America the following year. After seeing his father and mother comfortably settled he started for the west, and in 1854 located in Clyde Township, Whiteside County, Being so well pleased with the prairies of Illinois, he advised his parents to come west so in 1857 they came and located near their son, but in Fair Haven Township, Carroll County. For a few years after coming to Illinois, Mr. Garwick operated as a general laborer, but while in Pennsylvania followed the calling of a miller, in which he had been trained by his father in his native land.

He was married February 27, 1861, in Clyde Township, to Sarah Zook, to whom ten children were born, viz., - George E., of Fair Haven; Mrs. W. G. Geesey, of Clyde; Mrs. Martin Hanna, of Wysox; Miss Lizzie, of Clyde; Mrs. J. O. Elwing, Milledgeville; Miss Kate, of Chillicothe, Missouri, all of whom are living; William H., Abraham, Lena, and Edith, all of whom have passed to that home of eternal rest. Thus the deceased leaves to mourn his departure a loving wife, one son, five daughters and four brothers, vis, - Louis, of Fair Haven; George, of Clyde; Fred, of Chadwick; and Charles, of Coleta.

Mr. Garwick, like many other early settlers, suffered untold hardships incident to pioneer life. Upon arriving in Chicago, when on his way to Illinois, he did not have sufficient money with which to purchase his breakfast, but in after years by thrift and economy he became one of the leading farmers of Clyde Township, and the best of all he leaves behind him a record notable for industry and honesty, qualifications that it would be well if the young men of today would strive to possess. He was for many years a minister in the River Brethren church and was an ardent worker for the cause of Christ, being at the time of his death a member of the Evangelical church.

Although for a year he was an intense sufferer, he was fully resigned to the Lord's will, and peacefully fell asleep in the arms of Jesus. May the Lord grant them a happy reunion in the better land where parting is no more. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. H. Messerschmidt, Presiding Elder of the Freeport District Evangelical Association, who read a portion of the scriptures as found in 1 Cor. 15:39, Rev. 7:11, Heb, 4 and was assisted by Rev. P. C. Koch of the same church, and Rev. Trump of the church of Brethren in Christ. Rev. Messerschmidt preached a very eloquent sermon from the last verse in the Book of Daniel, which was delivered in a fervent manner. Rev. Koch then spoke of the good qualities of their deceased brother, and of his being the means of saving many souls during his ministry of many years, and closed with very kind words for the family in their bereavement. The Coleta choir then sang "Welcome Rest," when the remains were viewed for the last time. Interment took place in the Franklin cemetery.

The funeral services, which were held in the church at Franklin Corners, were largely attended by neighbors and friends from Carroll and Whiteside Counties, who came to pay their last tribute of respect to one whom they had known so long and loved so dearly. The deceased had numerous friends in this place, who extend their sympathy to the afflicted family. -- Contributed by Karen Fyock - Undated Scrapbook Clipping

Biographical Information:

Jacob Garwick, a farmer on section 2, Clyde township, is a citizen of the United States by adoption, and was born Dec. 13, 1834 in the province of Alsace, France. (This territory has since been recovered by its original owner, Germany, by whom it is still held. Jacob Garwick, senior, his father, was a native of the same province and was of German parentage. He was a miller by vocation and married Magdalene Wolff. She was of mixed French and Swiss ancestry. Both her grandsires came to America during the progress of the Revolutionary War, under the command of General Lafayette, and were among his corps of officers. Several other male relatives were among the French soldiery who came to assist in the Colonial struggle.

The senior Garwick removed to the United States with his wife and children, the family locating on a farm in Butler Co., Pa. Mr Garwick, of this sketch, is the oldest of his parents' children, and he left his native province in November, 1852, arriving in Pennsylvania a year before his parents. He made a home for them, and after seeing them comfortably settled he set out for Illinois, locating in 1854, in Clyde Township, this county. Three years later his father's family followed and fixed their residence in Fair Haven, Carroll County, locating on a farm. The father died in June, 1878, and in May 1884 the mother followed him to the world of the hereafter.

Mr. Garwick operated as a general laborer after coming to Illinois, but while in Pennsylvania had followed the calling of a miller, in which he had been trained by his father in his native country. He had not sufficient money to pay for his breakfast on the morning of his arrival in Chicago, but he made his way to friends in Du Page County, where he obtained aid and employment. His life, to the age of 27 years was one of continued experience and toil and hardship. He spent three months on board the ship on his way to America, not knowing a soul on the vessel. The entire period was one of storm and peril by sea. Food was exhausted and distress signals were flown from the masthead three successive days before their condition was discovered. They anchored near an island belonging to Portugal, in the South Sea, and secured supplies sufficient to enable them to proceed on their voyage. After his arrival in Whiteside Co., he became a farm laborer.

He was married Feb. 27, 1861, in Clyde Township, to Sarah, daughter of Abraham and Anna (Gsell) Zook. Her parents were of Swiss and German origin, and were natives of Lancaster Co., Pa. Their ancestors settled in America about the date of the Colonial struggle for independence. They were farmers and were married in Co., Pa. where the daughter was born Jan. 19, 1843. She is one of a family of eight children and accompanied her parents when she was 13 years of age to Illinois. They located at first in Newton Township. Two years later they came to the Township of Clyde and located on the section which has since been their home. Three of nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Garwick are deceased. Those who survive are George E;, Anna, Sarah, Lizzie, Dora and Katie. The son was a student at college and all have received careful educational instruction. William H. died at age 17 years. Abraham and Lena were aged respectively five and two years at the time of their decease. The parents at first fixed their residence on 70 acres of land, and Mr. Garwick expanded his last dollar to secure his place. (He had but $25.) In a few years he was free from debt and is now the owner of 300 acres of land, which is all in the best agricultural condition. Mr. Garwick is also interested in improved cattle, and makes a specialty of the Short-Horn breed. His farm is as well stocked as any other of similar grade in Clyde Township and the farm buildings are of excellent and creditable type. His entire acreage was wholly unbroken at the date of purchase.

He has been for many years a minister in the River Brethren Church. In his native country he was educated in German and French, and acted for some time as an assistant teacher in the schools where he had been a student.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois: Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1883 pp. 290-293

The history of Clyde Township would be incomplete without the record of Jacob Garwick, a man whom to know was to respect, because his life was active, useful and honorable. He started out to himself empty-handed and for many years struggled earnestly to gain a substantial position in the business world.

The methods which he followed were ever honorable and upright and thus in his death, which occurred October 21, 1895, Whiteside county lost a valued citizen. He is well remembered as a progressive farmer living on section 2, Clyde township, and also as a minister. That his business interests were capably managed is indicated by the fact that he left a valuable estate of three hundred acres lying partly in Carroll County and still carried on by his widow.

The birth of Jacob Garwick occurred December 13, 1834, in Alsace, which was then a province of France, but has since reverted to Germany, the original owner. His father, Jacob Garwick, Sr., was also a native of that province and was of German parentage. In that country he learned and followed the miller's trade. In early manhood he wedded Magdalene Wolff, who was of French and Swiss lineage. Both of her grandsires came to America during the progress of the Revolutionary war under the command of General LaFayette and served on his corps of officers. Several other male relatives were among the French soldiery who came to assist the colonies in their struggle for independence. Jacob Garwick, Sr., came to the United States with his wife and children in 1853 and located upon a farm in Butler county, Pennsylvania. His son Jacob was the eldest of his children and left his native province i November, 1852, arriving in Pennsylvania a year prior to his parents. In his native country he had been liberally educated in the German and French languages and for some time acted as an assistant teacher in the schools where he had been a student. He spent three months on shipboard on his way to America, not knowing a single soul on the vessel, haused and distressed signals were flown from the masthead three successive days before their condition was discovered. They then anchored near an island in the South sea belonging to Portugal and secured sufficient supplies to enable them to proceed on their voyage. At length, however, the long trip was ended and Mr. Garwick landed safely in the new world. Here he made preparation for a home for his parents and when he saw them comfortably settled he started for Illinois. When he reached Chicago he had not enough money to pay for his breakfast, but he succeeded in making his way to friends in Dupage County, where he obtained aid and employment. In 1854 he located in Clyde Township, Whiteside County, and three years later his father's family followed him to Illinois and took up their abode upon a farm at Fair Haven, Carroll county. There the father died in June, 1878, while the mother survived until May, 1884.

After coming to Illinois Jacob Garwick, of this review, worked as a general laborer, but while in Pennsylvania he followed the miller's trade, which he had learned under the direction of his father in his native country. His life to the age of twenty-seven years was one of continual hardship and toil, but he possessed strong determination and unfaltering courage and gradually worked his way upward. After his arrival in Whiteside county he became a farm hand and was thus employed until he could make arrangement to purchase land and engaged in farming on his own account. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Garwick chose Miss Sarah Zook, whom he wedded in Clyde township on the 27th of February, 1861. Her parents, Abraham and Anna (Gsell) Zook, were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and of Swiss and German descent. Their ancestors settled in America about the time of the colonial struggle for independence. Mr. and Mrs. Zook were farming people and were married in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, their daughter Sarah being there born on the 19th of January, 1843. She was one of a family of eight children and accompanied her parents to Illinois when she was thirteen years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Garwick first settled in Newton Township, Whiteside county, and two years later removed to Clyde township, establishing their home on the farm where Mrs. Garwick has since remained, now owning three hundred and fifty-five acres of land. Of the children born unto them the six who still survive are as follows: George E., the eldest, who now follows farming near Garden Plain, this county, acquired a college education and married a daughter of Henry Brubaker. They have three children - Floyd, Florence and Eber. Anna Garwick is the wife of William Geesey, and resides at home. They, too, have three living children - Hattie, Jacob and Ethel - and they lost one child, Lucille, at the age of four years. Sarah Garwick became the wife of Martin Hanna, of Carroll county, and has two children - Paul and Lenora. Lizzie is the wife of Charles Dial, of Carroll county, and they have one adopted child, Charles. Dora is the wife of J. O. Elwing, a resident of West Union, Iowa, and has one son, Lillo. Katie is the wife of Dr. Cecil R. Rogers, an osteopathic practitioner of New York city. Of the children who have passed away Edith Esther, born November 25, 1885, died at the age of eight years and eight days. William H. died at the age of fifteen years, and Abraham and Lena died at the age of five and three years, respectively. When Mr. and Mrs. Garwick came to what is now the old home farm he invested twenty-five dollars, his entire capital, in the property, and made arrangements for future payments. Soon, as the result of his earnest and unremitting labor, he was enabled to discharge his financial obligations

Unknown source. It might be from the 1908 History.