Maggie Garrison was born in Montgomery County, on a farm southwest of Dayton, Ohio. Her parents came north to Paulding Co. sometime in the mid-1870's. On July 7, 1889 she married the town blacksmith, John Stillwell. The first of their eight children, Mabel, was born the next year. She was followed by John Albert who died in infancy in 1892; another son and daughter who did not live long enough to be named; then Ernest who was eight months old when he died of "brain fever" in 1896. Son Lawrence was born next in 1897, followed by Gaylord in 1900. Maggie was six months pregnant with her eighth child when husband John died unexpectedly of a heart attack. This son also was named John Albert in honor of his father and older brother who did not survive. Maggie raised her three boys alone, never remarrying, and did a fine job. They loved and respected her, admiring her resourcefulness that kept the little family afloat. Maggie took in laundry to earn her way, Lawrence ran errands and swept up at the barbershop to contribute his earnings to the household; Gaylord hung around the blacksmith shop finding useful chores to earn a few pennies. Baby John Albert was the chosen one. His job was to stay in school and make them all proud. And he did. His promising future was cut short, however, when he died of pneumonia at 22yrs of age.
Maggie suffered a massive stroke on January 16, 1934 and died at home three days later. Lawrence and Gaylord took care of her those final days and were with her at the end.
Maggie suffered a massive stroke on January 16, 1934 and died at home three days later. Lawrence and Gaylord took care of her those final days and were with her at the end.
Maggie Garrison was born in Montgomery County, on a farm southwest of Dayton, Ohio. Her parents came north to Paulding Co. sometime in the mid-1870's. On July 7, 1889 she married the town blacksmith, John Stillwell. The first of their eight children, Mabel, was born the next year. She was followed by John Albert who died in infancy in 1892; another son and daughter who did not live long enough to be named; then Ernest who was eight months old when he died of "brain fever" in 1896. Son Lawrence was born next in 1897, followed by Gaylord in 1900. Maggie was six months pregnant with her eighth child when husband John died unexpectedly of a heart attack. This son also was named John Albert in honor of his father and older brother who did not survive. Maggie raised her three boys alone, never remarrying, and did a fine job. They loved and respected her, admiring her resourcefulness that kept the little family afloat. Maggie took in laundry to earn her way, Lawrence ran errands and swept up at the barbershop to contribute his earnings to the household; Gaylord hung around the blacksmith shop finding useful chores to earn a few pennies. Baby John Albert was the chosen one. His job was to stay in school and make them all proud. And he did. His promising future was cut short, however, when he died of pneumonia at 22yrs of age.
Maggie suffered a massive stroke on January 16, 1934 and died at home three days later. Lawrence and Gaylord took care of her those final days and were with her at the end.
Maggie suffered a massive stroke on January 16, 1934 and died at home three days later. Lawrence and Gaylord took care of her those final days and were with her at the end.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
