BIO:  Joel R. Garretson, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Warrington Township, Pg 196

DR. JOEL R. GARRETSON was born in Adams County, Penn., February 8, 1828, and is a 
son of Joel and Elizabeth (Everett) Garretson, natives of Adams County, Penn.  His 
great-grandfather Garretson, was a native of New Castle, Del., and came to York 
County, Penn., and settled in Newberry Township.  Subject’s grandfather, John 
Garretson, was born in that township, February 23, 1741.  The Garretsons were among 
the first settlers of Newberry Township.  The father of Dr. Garretson was born 
October 8, 1782.  In 1847-48 our subject attended the academy at Kennett Square, 
Penn.  From 1849 to 1852 he was engaged in school teaching, and during these years 
he read medicine.  In 1852 he attended lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, and the 
following year began the regular practice of his profession at Rossville, Penn., and 
remained until 1858, when he removed to Salem, Iowa, and continued the practice.  In 
January, 1862, he enlisted in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry.  In 1863 he was captured and 
for some time was a prisoner of war, but was paroled in the autumn of 1863, when he 
went to St. Louis, and continued in the general hospital until January, 1865.  In 
1867 he returned from the West to York County, Penn., and, in 1881, graduated from 
the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati.  He then located at Wellsville, Penn., 
where he has since resided.  After his divorce, in 1867, he married Mrs. Sarah 
Hopson, daughter of William and Julia McMullin.  Their children living are:  
Elizabeth, Clara, William and John.