Garr-Garth family Papers, 1870-1939
Held by The Filson Historical Society
Creator: Garr-Garth family
Title: Papers, 1870-1939
Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department.
Size of Collection: 0.33 cu. ft.
Location Number: Mss. A G238
Scope and Content Note
The collection contains correspondence, essays, clippings, and other material dating between 1870-1939 relating primarily to the work of Charles Russell Garr, M.D. (1858-1939), with additional material related to Mary Boswell Ford (née Web, 1827-1916) and Clara Lee Garth (née Atchison, 1882-1962). The above individuals may be related, however the exact relationship is unclear to the archivist.
Material includes essays written by Charles Russell Garr on subjects related to his work as a medical doctor, including essays on the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases such as scarlet fever or scarlatina, appendicitis, and cancer. Garr also wrote on his career in general including his work delivering babies, and the role of medical societies in Fleming County.
The collection contains correspondence written by Charles Russell Garr to his sons and what appear to be speeches for prayer meetings. Garr also recollects his family history, particularly of his maternal grandfather Nathaniel Russell (1804-1877). Garr briefly describes his grandfather’s feelings towards the Civil War and states that he owned an enslaved man named Lum Russell.
Other material includes brief correspondence, grocery lists, and other miscellany related to Mary Boswell Ford, and genealogical information related to Clara Lee Garth.
Related collections:
- Garr-Garth photograph collection (017PC32)
Biographical Note
Charles Russell Garr was born on November 5, 1858 in Jefferson County, Kentucky. Garr studied medicine and relocated to Fleming County where he practiced medicine in the area. Garr married Sallie Rebecca Crain (1861-1950) in 1883, with whom he had two children: Charles Crain Garr (1884-1957) and Clyde Lewis Garr (1887-1968).
Clara Lee Garth (née Atchison) was married to Dr. Charles Meredith Garth II (1879-1925), with whom she had two children, Charles Meredith Garth III (1913-1967) and Helen M. Garth (1916-1974).
Mary Boswell Ford (née Webb) was born in 1827 in Scott County Kentucky. She married Reuben Flournoy Ford (1819-1856), with whom she had several children. She died in 1916 in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Folder List
Box 1
Folder 1: Mary Boswell Web Ford correspondence and miscellanea, 1870-1873
Folder 2: Correspondence from Charles Russell Garr to Charles Crain Garr, 1926
Folder 3: Correspondence from Reverend T.F. Taliaferro to Charles Russell Garr, 1926
Folder 4: Miscellaneous correspondence from Charles Russell Garr, 1922-1924
Folder 5: Charles Russell Garr correspondence and autobiographical excerpts, undated
Folder 6: Autobiography and letters to sons by Charles Russell Garr with note by Elisabeth Garr Lawrence, 1892-1937
Folder 7: Charles Russell Garr speeches, medical research and prayer meeting material, c. 1905-1920
Folder 8: Telegram and clippings regarding death of Nathaniel Lee Garr, 1934
Folder 9: Clippings related to the death of Charles Russell Garr, 1939
Folder 10: “School Landmark Replaced by Library” newspaper clipping, 1921
Folder 11: Charles Russell Garr recollections of Nathaniel Russell, undated
Folder 12: Sketch of J.C.S. Bryan, M.D. by Charles Russell Garr, undated
Folder 13: Copy of biographical information of Charles Russell Garr, undated
Folder 14: Copy of biographical information of Mrs. Charles Meredith Garth (Clara Lee née Atchison), undated
Folder 15: Mary Boswell Web Ford funeral announcement, 1916
