Husband Hon. William Swan Garvin 1
Born: 25 Jun 1806 - Mercer, Mercer Co, PA 2
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Father: John Garvin ( - ) 2
Mother: Agnes [Unk] ( - ) 2
Marriage: Abt 1830 - New York City, NY 2
Wife Annie Hoyt Lockwood 2
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Children
1 F Annie Hoyt Garvin 2
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Spouse: James Hazelton ( - ) 2
2 F Agnes Swan Garvin 1
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Died: Aft 1888
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Spouse: Hon. John Trunkey (1828-1888) 3 4
Marr: 29 Sep 1853 5
3 F Sarah Lockwood Garvin 2
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Spouse: [Unk] Nesbitt ( - ) 2
4 M John G. Garvin 2
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5 M Edwin Laughlin Garvin 2
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Died: Aft 1888
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6 F Julia Olmstead Garvin 2
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7 M William Swan Garvin 2
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8 M David Wilmot Garvin 2
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Died: Aft 1888
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General Notes: Husband - Hon. William Swan Garvin
His scholastic advantages were limited to a few months' attendance in the village school at Mercer, Pennsylvania, and yet his life-long work was a school. Though he knew not a noun from an adjective, he wrote the most vigorous and accurate English. At the age of fourteen he entered the Western Press office, then owned by Jacob Herrington, as an apprentice, and served faithfully nearly six years. Following this, he went to New York, and thence to New Orleans as a printer. Returning to New York he accepted the foremanship of the New York Albion, where he remained until his return to Mercer in 1830 to take charge of the Western Press, which he had meanwhile purchased from John Hoge and others.
Mr. Garvin's power was shown in his career as editor of the Western Press, which he owned and managed, with brief interruptions, for more than half a century. As a political writer he was vigorous, fearless and incisive, ever maintaining to the utmost of his ability the principles of the Democratic party, with which he was identified throughout his long life. His power was felt as a journalistic leader of his party, not only in the politics of the county but of the State. A strict adherent of the principles of Jeffersonianism, he did not hesitate to proclaim his faith everywhere and under most trying circumstances. He never retreated from his foe, but fought the battle vigorously until it was properly ended. He was a student of the constitution, and practically accepted and defended the political doctrine of State's rights as constitutional. In 1845 he was the Democratic candidate for Congress, his opponent being the Hon. John J. Pearson. Though the district was largely Whig, it was carried by Mr. Garvin by a small majority. He represented his district with ability and credit both to himself and his constituents. He was twice postmaster of Mercer, first in 1837 during the administration of Van Buren, and next during the administration of Andrew Johnson, 1865-69. He was also flour inspector of Pittsburgh under Gov. Packer. Mr. Garvin was the close and intimate friend of Gen. Simon Cameron, Hon. Benjamin H. Brewster and Judge Wilmot. Though separated politically in later years from Cameron and Brewster by reason of their affiliation with the Republican party, no interruption of personal friendship ever ensued. He was conspicuous in Pennsylvania as an opponent of James Buchanan's nomination for the Presidency, and more than once was instrumental in preventing it by withholding a portion of the State delegation from Buchanan's support. Personally Mr. Garvin was a kind man, though at times he appeared to some gruff and unsociable. Afflicted for years with disease that impaired his health and soured his disposition, he was most kindly and lovingly appreciated by those who best knew his natural kindness of heart and temper. As an infant he was taken into the membership of the United Presbyterian Church, or its antecedent, the Associate Reformed, but at the time of his death he was identified with the Protestant Episcopal Church. [HMC 1888, 665]