HENRY GARM, of the firm of Garm & Son, was born in Altenburg, Germany, in 1830. He was but a small child when his parents landed in New York city. From there they proceeded to Washington city, but had not been there long when the father, John Garm, was killed by a horse on the roads of the county. He had been a hard working man and his family felt his loss in a great degree. After some time Mrs. Garm left Washington city and proceeded westward and settled in Beardstown, Illinois, where she resided until the day of her death, at the age of sixty-three. She, like her husband, was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church.
Mr. Garm first engaged in farming when he came to Beardstown. The country was very new and uncultivated. After twelve years spent in farming he went into town, and in company with John H. Harris, now president of the First National Bank of Beardstown, purchased a large stationary sawmill and for six years manufactured lumber, also engaged in the pine lumber trade with Mr. C. Hagener. He then sold his milling plant and engaged in the ice business with Captain George W. Goodell; after two years Mr. Garm organized a grain and transportation company and carried on an extensive trade in shipping grain to St. Louis, that he purchased in Beardstown and vicinity. This business lasted for four years, and then Mr. Garm entered the merchant tailoring business with his two sons. Robert H. attends to all the financial part of the business as well as being chief salesman, and John T. does the cutting. Mr. Garm is also interested in other local enterprises. He was one of the promoters of the First State Bank, and is now vice-president and director, as well as an extensive stockholder. This bank was organized in 1889, and was the first bank chartered under the State law providing for the organization of State banks. He is a stockholder as well as a director in the Electric Light Company, is also a director of the Mutual Loan & Saving Association. When the wagon bridge was built across the Illinois river he took an active part in this improvement.
He has been an active politician and the Democratic party has rewarded him in many offices for his zeal and work in the interests of the party. He was twice elected County Commissioner, and is now serving a four year term as County Treasurer, and he is also the County Assessor of Cass county. It has not been in county offices alone that he has served his party, but he has been extremely useful in the City Council for two terms. As he is one of the leading Democrats in the county, he has been chosen delegate to the State and local conventions a number of times.
Mr. Garm was married in Beardstown, to Mary D. Harris. She had come to the State of Illinois from England, when yet quite young, with the relatives of her parents. They settled in Cass county, and she has been since a resident of Beardstown. Mr. and Mrs. Garm have eight children three of whom are dead. Those still surviving are, Robert H., who married Tillie Dutch; John T., married to Minnie Lamoreux of Mason City, Illinois; Mamie, now the wife of Dr. Norbury, the head of the wards at the insane hospital at Jacksonville, Illinois; Joe E., completing his education at the Depauw University at Greencastle, Indiana; Frank, a graduate of the Beardstown high school, and still at home.
Mr. Garm and the oldest son are members of the blue lodge and chapter, A.F. & A.M. The latter is present Master; the former has also served in the same capacity for three terms previously.
Mr. and Mrs. Garm are regular and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Garm is a man of which his town feels proud, as well it may, for he is one of the representative men, not only of the town and county, but of the State to which he came so many years ago.