Rosters
"Portrait and Biographical Album of Lancaster County,
Nebraska"-
Chicago, Chapman Bros, 1888.
Opening section is bios of US Presidents and NE Governors.
| SILAS GARBER.
This distinguished and well-known citizen of Nebraska served the State most
acceptably as its Governor for the two terms, from 1874 to 1878. He was born in
Logan County, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1833. There he passed his boyhood days, attending
the common schools, and developing into a sturdy and promising young man. At the
early age of seventeen years he was determined to strike out for himself and see
what he could do toward making his own living. He was ambitious, yet we very
much doubt whether the beardless young man who turned his face Westward in 1850
ever had the remotest idea that he would himself some day be at the head of a
great commonwealth, that would be created still further toward the setting sun.
At that time he came into Iowa, which was receiving such floods of emigrants
from the older settled States. He located in Clayton County and engaged in
agricultural pursuits, the occupation which has done so much toward developing
some of the best men our Nation has produced. His life for some years was
uneventful, yet he was being disciplined and prepared for the honorable and
useful positions he was to fill in after years. He took an active interest in
all public matters, and was a well-informed, hard-working young man. When the
stars and stripes which had so long floated above Ft. Sumter were fired upon and
the little garrison compelled to surrender, the patriotism of the North was
aroused as never before in the history of the country. Thousands of the best men
of the Nation immediately volunteered their services to aid in suppressing the
monstrous rebellion, which had replaced the American banner with the stars and
bars. Among this vast arm of patriotic men might have been found Silas Garber.
He was mustered into the 3d Missouri Infantry, which was known as the famous
Lyon Regiment. He served with this regiment for one year, when he was
mustered out and returned to Clayton County. He, however, did not long remain in
the quiet of that peaceful section, for we soon again find him at the front. Now
he is First Lieutenant of Company D, 27th Iowa Infantry, which he raised. His
valiant services soon received recognition, and he was promoted to be Captain of
the company, which position he faithfully and ably filled until the close of the
war. He participated in all the battles of the Red River campaign, and Pleasant
Hill., La., the battles of Old Oaks, Miss., Nashville, Tenn., and others uner
(sic) the command of Gen. A. J. Smith.
Upon being mustered out of military service Capt. Garber returned to Clayton County, but soon thereafter went to California, where he passed the next four years. He came to Nebraska in the early part of 1870, and found a suitable location in Webster County, where he still resides, being the oldest resident in Red Cloud. He was indeed a pioneer of the Great West, for when he located in Webster County there were but two settlers in the county. Upon locating in Red Cloud and ever since Mr. Garber has taken a most important part in both her business and political affairs. He engaged in farming and merchandising, and is to-day President of the Farmers' & Merchants' Banking Company of that city, and also largely identified with its material interests. He was chosen the first Probate Judge of the county, and also represented his district in the Legislature, and served for one year as Register of the United States Land Office at Lincoln. Capt. Garber became popular both with the people and the politicians, and was nominated for Governor by the Republican Convention, which assembled at Lincoln Sept. 3, 1874, and was elected by a handsome majority. He served so acceptably that he was renominated by the convention which met Sept. 26, 1876. He was again endorsed at the polls in November, and served until the close of his term in 1878. He then retired to his home at Red Cloud, where he has since resided, a highly respected and useful citizen. |