Marriage #1 to Lydia Malsey Garland in 1872 (Ark)

Marriage #2 to Lillian Brooks Brown in 1903

BIOGRAPHY: William J. Garland is a successful merchant and postmaster of Dykesville, La. He was born in Sumter County, S. C., May 9, 1851, to Edward and Ann Nora (McKay) Garland. After residing in South Carolina engaged in planting until the opening of the Civil War. Edward Garland entered the Confederate Army, and while in the service died in Virginia. His widow is still living, and makes her home with her son, William J. The latter is one of three sons and four daughters that grew to maturity, all of whom are now the heads of families.

Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890

BIOGRAPHY: William J. lived in S.Carolina and upon his removal to Louisiana in 1869, located on a plantation in Claiborne Parish, where he spent a few years. In 1888, he purchased an interest in the store where he is now doing business, and in 1889 became sole proprietor, and carries an excellent stock of general merchandise, his trade being large and constantly on the increase. He came to this parish empty handed, and first worked as a farm hand, next farmed on rented land, and in this manner saved enough to purchase a small place, which he successfully managed from 1870 to 1886, and then sold out his land, at that time amounting to several hundred acres, all the result of his earnest endeavor to succeed in life.

His wife, Miss Lydia M. Garland, was born and reared in this parish, and on August 11, 1873, their union took place. Her father, W. W. Garland, was born in South Carolina, and was one of the pioneer residents of this section, and a man of substantial and business-like attainments. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Garland: Nobie, Edward, Hubbard, Cora, Katie and Nannie. A daughter, Maggie May, died at the age of eleven years, and a son, Bedford H., died when six years of age.

Mr. Garland was appointed postmaster at Dykesville, LA in 1889, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is one of the stewards.

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GARLAND FUNERAL AT HAYNESVILLE; MANY PAY TRIBUTE

Pioneer's Death Causes Widespread Sorrow—Helped in Community Uplift.

HAYNESVILLE, La., Nov. 18.—The funeral of W. J. Garland, 81, pioneer resident of Haynesville, who died yesterday morning at his home, after several weeks' illness, was held today from the Methodist Episcopal church, with Dr. Cleanth Brooks, pastor, officiating. Interment was in the Old Town cemetery. Many friends attended.

Surviving relatives are the widow and four children, two daughters, Mrs. Shep Beene of this city and Mrs. Sam Nations of Shreveport; two sons, H. M. Garland of Union, Miss., and Dr. H. L. Garland of Logansport. The three children living away from Haynesville had returned to their homes a few days ago, believing that their father was improving. They returned to Haynesville yesterday.

The Haynesville News reflected the sentiment of citizens throughout this section by publishing the following regarding Mr. Garland's life in this section: "Mr. Garland had been a resident of this section for 50 or 60 years, having come to Claiborne parish before the country was developed. When he made the first trip here, he made It on foot, as there were no railroads west of the Mississippi river at Vicksburg. He was one of the original pioneers of this community. First he located at Dykesville, and then moved to Haynesville and went into the mercantile business. Soon after the oil boom here, he retired from active business. He had been very active in church affairs, and up to the time of his illness was a regular attendant at the Sunday school and church services at the Methodist church, of which he had been a member for years.

"In the passing of W. J. Garland, Haynesville and Claiborne parish has lost a valuable citizen, one who at all times could be found striving for the upbuilding of the community in a spiritual way, as well as otherwise. He and his family of splendid children have been identified in every move that went toward the advancement of this city and surrounding country."

Obituary published in the Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana) · 18 Nov 1932, Fri · Page 12