Thomas V. Garlock Biography


	This biography appears on pages 367-368 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				THOMAS V. GARLOCK. 

	Thomas V. Garlock owns a general store at Custer, has a large 
interest in three mills which supply the Burlington Railroad with ties, 
etc., also has a number of other business interests and is one of the 
well-to-do men of his city. He was born in Newark, New York, on the 
18th of April, 1862, a son of Peter and Maria (Vander Vort) Garlock, 
the former also a native of Newark and the latter of Phelps, New York, 
which place was then known as Vienna. The father farmed to some extent 
and also manufactured cider, cider brandy and distilled peppermint. To 
him and his wife were born eight children, five of whom survive. Ellen 
is deceased. Abraham, who is residing in Newark, New York, is a farmer 
and likewise manufactures cider vinegar and distills brandies. Thomas 
V. is the next in order of birth. Charles, who lives in Phelps, New 
York, is engaged in the same business as his brother Abraham and is 
also president of the First National Bank. He has built up quite a 
reputation for cider vinegar, which he manufactures, and is deriving a 
handsome profit from his activities in that line. Katherine is the wife 
of Frank Warner, a merchant of Clifton Springs, New York. Minor ~ 
passed away when sixteen years of age and Alfred is also deceased. 
Jessie, who completes the family, is the wife of Alden Smith, a farmer 
of Clifton Springs, New York. 

	Thomas V. Garlock received his education in the district schools 
of his home locality, in the high school at Newark, and in a business 
college at Rochester, New York. He remained under the parental roof 
until he was twenty-one years of age and assisted his father in his 
various lines of work. Upon attaining his majority, however, he 
emigrated westward and made his way immediately to Custer, South 
Dakota, where he was employed in the hardware store of his cousin, A. 
T. Vander Vort. After a year Mr. Garlock purchased an interest in the 
business and at Buffalo Gap established a store which he managed. Two 
years later the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Garlock became the 
owner of the Custer store, which he enlarged, adding other lines, 
making it a general mercantile establishment. In 1890 he erected a 
business block twenty-five by ninety feet, the basement arid lower 
floor of which he utilizes for his store. The upper floor was at first 
used for a lodge hall but in 1910 he remodeled it and it is now 
occupied by the Garlock Hotel, which is conducted on the European plan. 
The general store which Mr. Garlock owns is one of the enterprising and 
reliable mercantile establishments of Custer and its patronage has 
grown steadily with the passing of the years. In 1908, in connection 
with S. E. Ainsley, he engaged in the manufacture of ties, bridge and 
mine timbers and after a year the Burlington Railroad contracted with 
them to take their entire product. The firm operates three mills below 
Pringle and their business is a successful and profitable one. Mr. 
Garlock is also a stockholder in the Electric Light, Heat & Power 
Company, vice president and a director of the Custer County Bank and 
agent for the Ford Automobile Company, as well as the owner of the Auto 
Service livery. In addition to the interests already mentioned he owns 
the Custer Opera House and other valuable business property in Custer, 
besides a number of residences. He is connected with almost every phase 
of business activity in Custer and the city owes much to his energy and 
ability. 

	Mr. Garlock was married on the 24th of November, 1887, to Miss 
Teresa Walsh, who was born at Ypsilanti, Michigan, a daughter of Edward 
P. and Mary (Cosgrove) Walsh, natives of Ireland, who were married, 
however, in Ypsilanti. In 1880 they came to South Dakota, the father 
coming with a number of other carpenters who were employed in erecting 
the buildings at the Rosebud agency. After the completion of his work 
there Mr. Walsh made his way to Custer, took up a homestead three miles 
from that city and thereon engaged in ranching. He is now eighty-seven 
years of age but is still active in the management of his ranch. His 
wife passed away in 1876. They were the parents of eight children. Mary 
is the wife of Henry Monheim, who has a fruit ranch near Grand 
Junction, Colorado, but was for many years engaged in mercantile 
business at Lead. Robert, a resident of Redlands, California, is a 
painter by trade. James was for a number of years in the employ of the 
Homestake Mining Company and later engaged in mining in South Africa, 
where he took miner's consumption, which caused his demise in 1909. He 
married Miss Alice Richardson, whose father was a pioneer of Custer. 
She went to South Africa to be married and resided there until after 
the demise of her husband, but is now living in California. Mrs. 
Garlock is the next in order of birth. Sarah is a milliner and resides 
in Goldfield, Nevada. Frank, a stockman living at Dewey Station, Custer 
county, served as deputy sheriff of the county for two terms and for a 
similar length of time as sheriff. He married Miss Katherine McMahan, 
of Rapid City. Edward is a miner living in Goldfield, Nevada. 
Elizabeth, who completes the family, is the widow of P. J. Lynch, a 
miner, who was one of the original owners of the Gold Coin mine at 
Victor, Colorado. For a number of terms he was county commissioner in 
Colorado and also held that office while living at Goldfield. He passed 
away in February, 1912, and his widow is now a resident of Boise, 
Idaho. 

	Mr. and Mrs. Garlock have five children. Frank W. was educated in 
the public schools of Custer, the South Dakota State Normal School at 
Spearfish and the Sacred Heart College at Denver. He is at home and 
assists his father in the management of his business interests. Ellen 
M. received her elementary and secondary education in Custer and later 
attended the Spearfish Normal School, where she won the first medal in 
declamation in 1910. She is now engaged in teaching school at Pringle. 
Mary Theresa also won a medal in a declamatory contest at the Spearfish 
State Normal School in 1910 and has received the medal for first place 
in the Custer schools and also the state medal at Huron. She is now 
teaching in the schools of Custer. Lucile E., who was likewise educated 
in the Custer schools and the State Normal School at Spearfish, is 
teaching in Pringle. Alice L., the youngest in the family, is now a 
student in the State Normal School at Spearfish. 

	Mr. Garlock is a democrat with independent tendencies and for 
several years was city treasurer. For two years he has served on the 
board of education and is a man who believes thoroughly in the 
advancement of the public schools. He is a loyal member of the knights 
of Pythias and he has held all of the offices in the local lodge. The 
enviable place which he has gained in the estimation of his fellow 
citizens and his gratifying success are due entirely to his many 
excellent qualities, his ability and industry and are well deserved.