San Joaquin County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



ALEXANDER L. GARROW.
 
        A successful merchant of Stockton is Alexander L. Garrow, who owns and 
operates a grocery store located at 638 North Aurora Street. He was born in 
Stockton, June 5, 1870, the eldest son of Charles and Elizabeth (Laumeister) 
Garrow. Charles Garrow was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and at sixteen years of 
age came to America and was one of the California '49ers and in the early '50s 
located in Stockton, where he conducted a store. Next he purchased an interest 
in the City Brewery but sold it some years later and established the "Red 
Store," a grocery store on California and Sonora streets. On disposing of it he 
became steward at the County Hospital, a position he held for six years. Then he 
purchased one-half block on North Aurora and West Park streets, where he built a 
store and did a successful business until he sold it and purchased a one-quarter 
block on Fremont and East streets where in partnership with A. Munch he engaged 
in the grocery business and also handled poultry and eggs. Here Mr. Garrow was 
in business until his death in 1910; his widow still resides in Stockton. This 
pioneer couple had eleven children, of whom Mr. Garrow is the oldest.
        Alexander L. Garrow grew up and received his education in the Stockton 
schools and after completing his education entered the employ of the city as a 
clerk in the street department at the city hall, where he remained twenty years. 
Ten years ago he purchased property at 634 North Aurora Street and established 
his present lucrative business at No. 638, on the same street.
        The marriage of Mr. Garrow occurred in Stockton April 20, 1892, and 
united him with Miss Lena Ray, born in Stockton, the daughter of David Ray, a 
pioneer carpenter of Stockton. David Ray was a native of Pennsylvania and 
crossed the plains in 1849 to California. He married Catherine Henceman, a 
native of Texas, who came with her parents to San Joaquin County, where her 
father became a pioneer builder, a business he followed all through life. He 
passed away March 26, 1906, while his widow died April 26, 1923. Eleven children 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Garrow: Lucial is the wife of Paul Oard, whose 
sketch appears in this volume; Ethel is the wife of Minor Sosey, a member of the 
grocery firm with Mr. Garrow; Elston served two years in the Marine Radio as an 
operator with the Matson line. The others are: Bragdon, John A., Laverne, 
Robert, Merle and Ruth (twins), and Ralph and Melvin (also twins). Fraternally, 
Mr. Garrow is a member of the Moose and Eagles lodges of Stockton.
 
History of San Joaquin County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 
1923
p   1413       
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.