Charles Wallace Garr (1891 - 1973)

Born 25 Apr 1891 in Dallas, Polk, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Mary C. (Dickerson) Garr — married 2 Jan 1926 in Ouachita, Arkansas, United States

Died 1 Nov 1973 at age 82 in Camden, Ouachita, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

Sergeant Charles Garr served in the United States Army in World War I
Service started: 21 May 1917
Unit(s): 2nd Engineer Regiment
Service ended: 16 Aug 1919

Charles Wallace Garr's life, spanning from the late 19th to the mid-20th century, was a testament to resilience, service, and dedication to both country and community. Born on April 25, 1891, in Dallas, Polk County, Arkansas, he was the son of Horace Eugene Garr and Alice Rebecca (Pirtle) Garr. His upbringing in rural Arkansas instilled in him values of hard work and duty.

As a young man, Charles found himself drawn into the tumult of World War I. On May 21, 1917, he answered the nation's call, enlisting in the United States Army. Assigned to the 2nd Engineers within the 2nd Infantry Division, he was soon dispatched overseas to France. It was there, amidst the chaos of war, that Charles's courage shone brightest. On October 7, 1918, he embarked on a perilous reconnaissance mission to the town of St. Etienne-a-Arnes. Despite facing relentless artillery and machine gun fire from both friend and foe, Charles pressed on, completing his mission and returning with vital intelligence. His heroic actions did not go unnoticed, and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, a testament to his bravery and commitment to duty. Following the war, Charles was honorably discharged on August 16, 1919, his service to his country etched in the annals of history.

In the years that followed, Charles's life took on new dimensions. By 1910, he had made his home in Spiro, Le Flore County, Oklahoma, where he pursued work as a carpenter. In 1920, still in Spiro, he transitioned to a role as a clerk at the local hardware store, showcasing his adaptability and industrious spirit.

Love found its way into Charles's life when he married Mary C. Dickerson on January 2, 1926, in Ouachita County, Arkansas. Together, they embarked on the journey of marriage, navigating life's challenges hand in hand.

The decades unfolded, each marked by steadfastness and dedication. By 1930, Charles had relocated to Camden, Ouachita County, Arkansas, where he found employment at a retail dry goods store. This period of stability continued into 1940, as he remained in Camden, forging a life rooted in his community.

By 1950, Charles had established himself as a familiar face in Camden, where he found employment at a retail department store, specializing in men's clothing. His commitment to his work and his community remained unwavering, a testament to his character and work ethic.

As the sun set on his life, Charles Wallace Garr's legacy endured. On November 1, 1973, he passed away in Camden, Ouachita County, Arkansas, leaving behind a lifetime of memories and a lasting impact on those who knew him. He was laid to rest at Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, his final resting place a testament to a life well lived, defined by service, dedication, and a commitment to family and community.

Sources

• 1900 United States Federal Census: Year: 1900; Census Place: Potter, Polk, Arkansas; Roll: 72; Page: 1; Enumeration District: 0099 Ancestry Record 7602 #75861716
• 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Spiro Ward 2, Le Flore, Oklahoma; Roll: T624_1258; Page: 3a; Enumeration District: 0162; FHL microfilm: 1375271 Ancestry Record 7884 #163965107
• 1920 United States Federal Census: Year: 1920; Census Place: Spiro, Le Flore, Oklahoma; Roll: T625_1468; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 120 Ancestry Record 6061 #99028445
• 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Camden, Ouachita, Arkansas; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0010; FHL microfilm: 2339821 Ancestry Record 6224 #87037201
• 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Camden, Ouachita, Arkansas; Roll: m-t0627-00159; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 52-7A Ancestry Record 2442 #99467208
• 1950 United States Federal Census: National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Camden, Ouachita, Arkansas; Roll: 1472; Page: 71; Enumeration District: 52-24 Ancestry Record 62308 #32439719
• Arkansas, Birth Certificates, 1914-1922: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Birth Certificates; Year: 1891 Ancestry Record 61774 #736836
• Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1972: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Marriage Certificates; Year: 1926; Film: #6 Ancestry Record 61775 #285516
• Arkansas, U.S., County Marriages Index, 1837-1957: Ancestry.com. Arkansas, U.S., County Marriages Index, 1837-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: "Arkansas County Marriages, 1838–1957." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2011. "Arkansas County Marriages, 1838–1957," database, FamilySearch; from Arkansas Courts of Common Pleas and County Clerks. Digital images of originals housed at various county courthouses in the State of Arkansas. Marriage records. Ancestry Record 2548 #1301262
• U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939: The National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985; Record Group Number: 92; Roll or Box Number: 402 Ancestry Record 61174 #4526147
• U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010: Ancestry.com. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Ancestry Record 2441 #9731071
• U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985: National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, MO, USA; Applications for Headstones and Markers, 7/1/1970-9/30/1985; NAID: 6016127; Record Group Number: 15; Record Group Title: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773-2007 Ancestry Record 2375 #3705733
• U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #21459836
• U.S., Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940: Ancestry.com. U.S., Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT. USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2019. Original data: United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2019. Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917 - 9/16/1940. NAI 76193916. Record Group 15: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773 - 2007. National Archives at St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. Ancestry Record 61861 #2256436
• U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942: The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147 Ancestry Record 1002 #3448513
• Ouachita County History, Civil War and Other Markers, (n.d.). "Civil War and Other Markers." Accessed 11 May 2024.
• Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117579026/charles_wallace-garr: accessed May 12, 2024), memorial page for Charles Wallace Garr (25 Apr 1891–1 Nov 1973), Find A Grave: Memorial #117579026, citing Rest Hills Memorial Park, North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by JRH (contributor 47991248).