Obit: Garvin, Margaret (25 Dec 1792 - 29 Jul 1899)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: GARVIN OBRIEN

----Source: Clark County Republican Press (Neillsville, Wis.) 08/03/1899

Garvin, Margaret (25 Dec 1792 - 29 Jul 1899)

Rarely is the Press called upon to record the death of a centenarian, but in the death of Mrs. Margaret Garvin, which occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Martin O'Brien in the town of York Saturday morning July 29th, 1899, Clark County loses the distinction of being the home of the oldest person in the state. Mrs. Garvin had reached the remarkable age of 106 years and 7 months, retaining her faculties and good health until three months previous to her death. At that time she suffered a paralytic stroke and though partially recovered, she gradually grew more feeble until the last spark of a long life flickered and went out.

Mrs. Garvin was a native of Ireland and was born on Christmas day in 1792. At seventeen years of age she was married to Wm. Garvin and the union was blessed with seventeen children, three of whom are still living, Thos. Garvin, Wm. Garvin and Mrs. Martin O'Brien, all of the town of York. In 1832 the family departed from their native country and came to America, settling in Canada, where they resided for half a century, and where her husband died in 1869. In 1882 they removed to Wisconsin, coming direct to Clark County, and they have been residents of the town of York ever since.

Mrs. Gavin was always possessed of good health and great vitality, seldom suffering from any sickness whatever. Her ancestry were sturdy sons and daughters of Ireland, noted for their rugged strength and longevity, but none ever passed the 100th milestone. She used tobacco from her early youth, having smoked a pipe almost incessantly until within three months of her death. Her eyesight did not become impaired and she never wore glasses in her life. She lived to see the fifth generation of her family, and therefore bore the title of great-great-grandmother. She was the mother of seventeen children, had thirty-three grandchildren, fort-four great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. The oldest living son is Thomas Garvin, of the town of York, who is now in his seventy-third year.

Mrs. Gavin was a devout Christian of the Catholic faith, a thoroughly good and kind woman, loved by all who came in contact with her and her bright and cheerful disposition spread sunshine throughout the household.

Funeral services were held Monday morning, July 31st, from St. Mary's Church in this city, Rev. Bergner officiating and the remains were laid at rest in the Catholic Cemetery. The pall bearers were her grandsons, six children of Mr. Wm. Garvin. A large concourse of relatives and friends followed the remains to the grave.